The Praxis Special Education: Severe to Profound test measures knowledge and competencies important for safe and effective beginning practice as a special education teacher who plans to teach in a special education program at any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12 serving students with severe to profound disabilities.

The test is designed for candidates seeking licensure or certification as a special educator with knowledge of the basic principles and best practice of special education and the application of these principles to realistic scenarios for students with severe to profound disabilities within grades K-12. The test questions will primarily address students who fall within the severe to profound range. This population most likely functions within self-contained classroom settings, pull out programs, or in the general education classroom with one on one support and special education teachers with ample modifications and accommodations.

Teacher candidates who take this test should also have knowledge of how to support students with mild to moderate disabilities in various settings. The test is designed and developed by working with practicing special education teachers and teacher educators to reflect state and national standards—including the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and its 2020 Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards for Special Educators (Initial K-12 Standards).

Test-takers have typically completed— or are about to complete—a preparation program with a focus on special education, and they typically have experience that includes supervised teaching in a school or other educational setting.

The 120 selected-response questions focus on both content and topics that are relevant to various settings where the expertise of a special education teacher would be required. The test content measures a candidate’s knowledge and skills spanning the areas of (I) Human Development and Individualized Learning Needs, (II) Planning and Instruction and the Learning Environment, (III) Assessment, and (IV) Ethical and Legal Practice, Professionalism, and Collaboration. This test may contain some questions that will not count toward your score.