State Testing - Baltimore Requirements

Urban Teachers and the states in which residents will potentially be placed this year require new teachers to complete a pre-professional test prior to the start of a teacher preparation program. You may have scores from previous exams that already meet these requirements. In Baltimore, you can submit qualifying SAT, ACT, or GRE scores (see below) or sign up for the Praxis Core Combined exam.

All incoming participants must pass state exams by May 9, 2022. After candidates accept their offer to join the upcoming cohort, we will begin to collect qualifying scores, or work with the candidate to schedule their Praxis Core Combined test. We require candidates take these exams shortly after signing their offer letter to ensure they have time to get their results, submit the required paperwork, and retake the exam if needed. 

 

Acceptable Tests and Passing Scores: All testing options are provided on the ETS website. 

 

Submitting SAT, ACT, or GRE Scores

Incoming Baltimore participants are able to submit qualifying ACT, SAT, or GRE scores in lieu of taking the Praxis Core. 

If you have qualifying scores (based on the chart above): 

Urban Teachers will request that incoming participants submit any previous scores once they sign their offer. You should submit visual proof of your scores through the online admissions portal. While your paperwork can be unofficial or official, it must include, at a minimum, a screenshot of your name, the exam, the test dates, and individual section scores.

Urban Teachers will review any scores you submit, and notify you once you’ve met the exam requirements. If needed, we will work with you to order an official copy of your scores (instructions below).

 

Ordering Official SAT, ACT, or GRE Scores

GRE scores: 

• Free Online Official Copy: You can access an electronic copy of your scores for free from your GRE account and download Test Taker Score Report pdf (sample).

SAT scores: You can use either option below to order valid official SAT scores.

• Free Online Official Copy: You may be able to access an electronic copy of your scores for free from your CollegeBoard account. Log into your CollegeBoard account, and click your name in the top right corner. Then click mySAT. Scroll down to "My Scores" and click on "View Score Sends". On the top right, click download report for a pdf copy of your scores.
• Order a Paper Copy: You must call to order a paper copy of your official SAT scores to be sent to your own address for $12 per entity (there is an additional $31 fee for a rush order). The SAT line is 1-866-756-7346. You will be prompted to answer a series of verification questions about your home address, high school, SSN, etc. Scores should be sent within 5-7 business days for rush orders or 14 business days for regular orders.

ACT scores: 

• Order Electronic Copy: You can order an electronic copy of your ACT scores to be sent directly to Urban Teachers by using the 2808 code, for a $15 fee.

 

Signing Up for the Praxis Core

If you are planning on taking the Praxis Core instead of submitting previous exam scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, Praxis I scores), please register for a test here and be sure to include the Urban Teachers Code (Baltimore - #5822) so your scores are sent directly to Urban Teachers. ETS is temporarily offering select Praxis tests at home due to COVID-19. Click here for more information on taking the test at home.

 

Cost of Praxis Core Exams

The cost of the Praxis Core (combined test #5752) is $150 (or $90 per exam if taken separately). You must take and pass the Praxis Core Reading, Writing and Mathematics exams. It is up to you whether you would like to take them in one sitting (combined test #5752) or separately (Reading - #5713, Writing -  #5723, and Mathematics - #5733). ETS offers fee waivers for Praxis Core for individuals that qualify, but this process could take 1-2 months. For more information on requirements and deadlines, use this link.

Urban Teachers can provide vouchers and reimbursements for individuals who do not qualify for a fee waiver and still have financial need. We require that participants complete the diagnostic exam from Khan Academy and submit their scores prior to approving a voucher or reimbursement request. We will provide guidance on how to request a voucher and other test preparation resources to incoming participants.

 

Retaking an Exam

If you do not pass any of the sections of the Praxis Core exam, you can sign up to retake it. You would only need to retake the portion that you did not pass. You must wait 28 days, not including your initial test date, before ETS.org allows you to take the exam again. During that time, we recommend you complete practice exams from Khan Academy, and review the test preparation materials provided by Urban Teachers.

 

When to Sign Up

You should create a test plan within 10 days of signing a Letter of Intent (offer) from Urban Teachers.

If you are planning on taking the Praxis Core instead of submitted previous exams (SAT, ACT, GRE, Praxis I scores), please register for a test here and be sure to include the Urban Teachers Code (Baltimore - #5822) so we can receive the official scores. 

ETS is temporarily offering select Praxis tests at home while many test centers are closed or have limited seating due to COVID-19. Click here for more information on taking the test at home.

Cost of Exams

Praxis Core (combined tests #5752)  - $150 (or $90 per exam if taken separately).  You must take and pass the Praxis Core Reading, Writing and Mathematics exams.  It is up to you whether you would like to take them in one sitting (combined tests #5752) or separately (Reading - #5713, Writing -  #5723, and Mathematics - #5733).

ETS offers fee waivers for Praxis Core for individuals that qualify, but you need to act fast using this link: https://www.ets.org/praxis/about/fees/fee_waivers/.

Deadline to Complete Fee Waiver Form	Praxis Core taken within these dates
August 26, 2021	September 2021 – November 2021
November 24, 2021	December 2021 – February 2022
February 24, 2022	March 2022 – May 2022

For individuals that do not qualify and still have financial need, Urban Teachers will reimburse for tests, retakes, and additional resources (if you have trouble passing the test) only for candidates who complete our selection process and sign the “Letter of Intent”.  You must complete a financial need request form given to applicants after signing the Letter of Intent form. We require diagnostic results from testing supports prior to providing additional funding for an upcoming test registration. We also have free online, on-demand courses available. Please email admissions@urbanteachers.org if you have further questions.

 

GRE, ACT, or SAT Scores

Baltimore placements are able to submit appropriate ACT, SAT, or GRE scores in lieu of Praxis Core. 

What you will need to do:

Send visual proof of your scores. This can be a screenshot and will be sent to ashlei.hansing@urbanteachers.org 

After that, please to do the following:

You will order an official score report to be sent directly to yourself. You must scan/save this score report as a PDF and email it to ashlei.hansing@urbanteachers.org with your first name, last name, and "test scores" in the subject line.

GRE scores: Either options below are valid official GRE scores to submit.

• Free Online Official Copy: You can access an electronic copy of your scores for free from your GRE account and download Test Taker Score Report pdf (sample).
• Order Paper Copy: You can order a paper copy of your GRE scores to be sent to your own address for $27 with this form.

SAT scores: Either options below are valid official SAT scores to submit.

• Free Online Official Copy: You can access an electronic copy of your scores for free from your CollegeBoard account.  Click your name in the top right corner, then click mySAT.  Scroll down to "My Scores" and click on "View Score Sends".  On the top right, click download report for a pdf copy of your scores.
• Order Paper Copy: You must call to order a paper copy of your official SAT scores to be sent to your own address for $12 per entity (there is an additional $31 fee for a rush order). The SAT line is 1-866-756-7346. You will be prompted to answer a series of verification questions about your home address, high school, SSN, etc. Scores should be sent within 5-7 business days for rush orders or 14 business days for regular orders.

ACT scores: 

• Order Paper Copy: You can order a paper copy of your ACT scores to be sent to your own address for $39 with this form. 

Preparation for Exams

We recommend that you view our webinar to learn more about testing requirements.

Khan Academy: Now available! This new, free, online resource will help you build the reading, writing and mathematics skills you need to succeed on the Praxis^® Core tests.

Urban Teachers’ Prep for Praxis Core Math includes a wide range of free instructional resources offered on one easy-to-use platform, including instructional videos, practice tests, and sample questions all related to the content of the mathematics portion of the Praxis Core exam.

Other Resources: We also recommend that you review practice questions and study materials before taking the test. The resources below are all free.

• Praxis Study Companion for Reading, Writing, and Math.
• Free Comprehensive Study Guide
• In-Depth Prep Courses in Reading, Writing, and Math
• Free Practice Tests for Reading, Writing, Math
• Free Skill Building Exercises for English and Math(Scroll down to the bolded heading)
• Free Practice Test

 

Retaking an Exam

If you do not pass any of the sections of the Praxis Core exam, you can sign up to retake it. You would only need to retake the portion that you did not pass, but you must wait 35 days, not including your initial test date before ETS.org would allow a retest.