CORE Testing Requirements

All teacher education candidates must meet established criteria for admission into upper-division professional education study. These criteria include: minimum cumulative grade point average; minimum grade point average in courses within their major; successful completion (grade of C- or better) of prerequisite courses and field experiences; and passing scores, as established by the University Council on Teacher Education, on CORE. (PLEASE NOTE: The State of Delaware accepts certain exemptions for the reading and math portion of CORE based on SAT scores.  See ETS website for specific requirements for other states.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test (or CORE), developed by the Educational Testing Service, measures proficiency in the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics. These 3,one-hour tests, designed to be taken as part of your college program of study and to assess your skills in these three areas, are only available in the computer format.

Study guides are available to help you prepare for these tests. You can download a free Test at a Glance booklet, which gives you an overview of the three tests and some sample questions in each of the areas, from the Educational Testing Service website at http://www.ets.org/praxis. You can purchase a more complete study guide to CORE at many bookstores or you may borrow study guides from the Education Resource Center (012 Willard Hall). Students can seek math tutoring at the Office of Academic Enrichment or the Math Tutorial Lab.  Tutors recommend that students bring and show their work, such as a practice test.

The computer based testing format is offered by scheduling a specific day and time when it is available at various locations. You can find information the test and register on line at: http://www.ets.org/praxis/. At the time you register, you must designate where you want your test scores sent. You get 3 free copies. You must designate the University of Delaware (5811) as one of your score recipients. In addition to UD, you should designate the state of Delaware and one other state where you may want to teach.

The tests are designed to be taken early in your college career. They are assessing basic academic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. It is recommended that you take these tests during your freshmen or sophomore years. Please talk with your academic advisor or program coordinator about when you should take CORE.
For admission into upper-level professional education study, the University of Delaware requires the following passing scores.

• PPST Reading 156
• PPST Writing 162
• PPST Mathematics 150

Information from UD’s Office of Certification and Accreditation on CORE test and possible exemptions

Updated information on CORE waivers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Pennsylvania