Introduction
Welcome to the 2026-2027 academic year! I am happy to serve as President of the Higher Education Division of the Alabama Music Educators Association alongside Vice-President/President-Elect Dr. Brandon Slocumb, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Music at Huntingdon College, and HED Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Russell Greene, Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Music Education at Alabama State University. We thank AMEA HED Past-President Dr. Stephen Foster, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Faulkner University, for his four years of dedicated service to the division and association. In this and future articles, we hope to celebrate positive trends in higher education and the performing arts, while also bringing awareness to the challenges before us.
One area of concern among college/university faculty, students enrolled in music teacher preparation programs, and K-12 schools seeking certified music educators is the current threshold for passage of the Praxis-Music: Content Knowledge (5113) examination. In the State of Alabama, the Praxis score required for initial teacher certification is 161, tied highest among participating U.S. states and territories. For comparison, required scores for other participating Southern states, as well as those states and territories accepting the lowest reported minimal score of 139, are provided in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Minimum Score Required for Passage
| State or Territory | Minimum Score |
| Alabama Colorado District of Columbia Mississippi New Hampshire New Mexico Oregon South Carolina | 161 |
| Arkansas | 152 |
| Louisiana | 151 |
| Missouri | 150 |
| Virginia | 160 |
| West Virginia | 155 |
| American Samoa Guam Hawaii | 139 |
Background
Standardized tests are a component of the teacher certification process in many states and may also be used by colleges and universities to evaluate readiness for a teacher education program. While some agencies have developed examinations for single-state use, institutions of higher learning and licensing bodies in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories have adopted the Praxis Series® examinations for these purposes.
The PraxisSeries, developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), includes the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators, often referred to simply as “Praxis Core,” and the Praxis Subject Assessments, formerly known as PraxisIIexams. The Praxis Subject Assessments required for music teacher candidates, depending on state, may include Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Tests, Music: Content Knowledge (test code 5113), and/or Music: Content and Instruction (test code 5114). Currently in the State of Alabama, only the Music: Content Knowledge examination is required for initial teacher licensure.
Format
The assessment is administered on desktop computers with headphones in a monitored lab. These labs are often located on college campuses and in population-dense metropolitan areas. It is not necessary to test on your campus or even in your state of residence. Alternatively, the Music: Content Knowledge exam may be taken on the examinee’s personal device at a location of their choosing; however, the computer must allow for remote monitoring. The Praxis is offered year-round during normal business hours and on Saturdays at select sites.
Content
The Music: Content Knowledge examination is designed to evaluate a beginning teacher’s knowledge of music history, theory, composition, world music, literature, performance, conducting, pedagogy, professional issues, and technology, and the ability to apply that knowledge to K–12 instruction.
Section 1 of the Content Knowledge examination poses 30 four-option multiple-choice questions, referred to as “selected-response” items by ETS, each preceded by a recorded musical excerpt (see Figure 2). Thirty-five minutes are allotted for Section 1, although the timer will pause while each excerpt is played. Recordings of significant length and those associated with multiple questions or with an item of greater difficulty may be repeated.
The 90 selected-response items presented in Section 2 do not require listening and 85 minutes are provided for their completion. Questions in both sections may be accompanied by charts and graphs, musical notation, or passages from musical scores. In all, Music: Content Knowledge examinees are allotted two hours to answer 120 four-option selected-response items.
Figure 2: Music: Content Knowledge Items
| Content | Number of Questions | Percentage of Exam |
| Music History & Literature | ||
| Section 1 Section 2 Total | 8 9 17 | 14% |
| Theory & Composition | ||
| Section 1 Section 2 Total | 9 10 19 | 16% |
| Performance | ||
| Section 1 Section 2 Total | 13 15 28 | 23% |
| Pedagogy, Professional Issues, & Technology | ||
| Section 1 Section 2 Total | N/A 56 56 | 47% |
| TOTAL | ||
| Section 1 Section 2 Total | 30 90 120 | 100% |
Scoring
Results are reported as a scaled score ranging from 100 to 200, with a minimum score of 161 required for teacher certification in the State of Alabama. An unofficial score will be disclosed immediately at the conclusion of the examination. Official scores for the exam are released to the test-taker and authorized score recipient(s) 10–16 business days after the exam is taken. The exam may be taken once every 28 days.
Preparation
Study guides, practice tests, flashcards, and tutorials are available for purchase from ETS, Kaplan®, Mometrics®, REA®, and XAMOnline®. Test-takers can also review free downloadable Study Companions and demonstration videos on the ETS website.
Recommendations
Based on a review of existing preparation materials and recent testing experiences, the following recommendations are offered:
Consider elective coursework—Praxis Subject Assessments in music do not favor one musical specialty. If not already a program or certification requirement, examinees should consider enrolling in elementary/general, choral, AND instrumental music methods courses.
Prepare for the unexpected—Questions concerning copyright law, accompanying, principles of acoustics, and concert etiquette may be encountered. Seek professional development opportunities addressing these topics if they are not included in coursework.
Schedule with the end in mind—Ensure that at least one additional testing window of 28-days is available between the scheduled exam date and the university or agency deadline for receipt of scores. In this manner, there is an opportunity to retake the examination if necessary.
Read, then listen—Musical excerpts are limited to two performances. Review questions and possible responses prior to listening.
Answer all questions—Praxis Subject Assessment scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. As there is no penalty for incorrect responses, do provide an answer for each item.