Praxis 5358
Praxis Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5358)
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
Praxis Special Education: Foundational Knowledge is an ETS Praxis subject test used in educator licensure. The source page describes the special education licensing area as covering practice as a special educator at any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12. Candidates are typically pre-service teachers completing an educator preparation program, alternatively certified teachers, or out-of-state educators adding a special education endorsement; your state's requirements decide whether you need it. The exam is delivered as multiple choice and is organized around four equally weighted content domains: special education foundations and professional practices; development and characteristics of learners with disabilities; assessment and eligibility for special education services; and planning and delivering specially designed instruction. Because the domains carry equal weight, a balanced study plan beats deep-diving one area. Build your plan from the free study companion and test outline ETS publishes, then work through practice questions under timed conditions and review every miss by domain so you can see which of the four areas is weakest. Expect questions that ask you to apply legal requirements, interpret assessment information, and choose instructional or behavioral supports for a described student rather than recall isolated definitions. Confirm your state's passing score and registration details directly with ETS and your licensing agency before scheduling. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS.
What you'll study
About Praxis 5358 preparation
What is the format of the Praxis Special Education: Foundational Knowledge test?
It is a multiple-choice Praxis subject test. The source page does not state the number of questions or the time limit, so check the current ETS test detail page and Information Bulletin for those specifics before test day. The content is organized into four domains of equal weight, so expect questions spread evenly across foundations, learner characteristics, assessment and eligibility, and instruction.
How hard is this exam?
Difficulty is relative, but the equal 25 percent weighting across four domains means candidates who study only one area often fall short. Questions tend to describe a student or situation and ask for the most appropriate legal, assessment, or instructional response. Practicing applied scenarios and reviewing missed items by domain is more useful than memorizing definitions alone.
Can I retake the test if I do not pass?
Praxis tests generally allow retaking, but the source text does not state this exam's retake waiting period or fee rules. Confirm the current policy in the ETS Praxis Information Bulletin and on the registration pages before you re-register, and check whether your state limits how many attempts it accepts for licensure.
How long is the test and how many questions does it have?
The source page does not provide the question count or testing time for this test. Do not rely on figures from older prep materials, since exams are revised. Verify the current timing and item count on the official ETS test detail page for this test code when you register, and practice with that timing so your pacing is realistic.
What order should I study the four domains in?
Start with the domain where your coursework is weakest, not necessarily the first one listed. Take a baseline practice set, score each of the four domains separately, then spend the most time on your lowest domain while keeping brief weekly review of the others. Because each domain is 25 percent, no single area can carry your score.
What do candidates most often get wrong?
Common problems include confusing evaluation and eligibility requirements, choosing a support that is not the least restrictive option, and picking an accommodation when the scenario calls for modification of instruction. Another frequent error is ignoring the student's described data and answering from general habit. Read the whole scenario and eliminate options that do not match the stated disability, age, or setting.
How much does the test cost?
The source text does not state the fee for this specific test, so no amount is given here. Fees change and vary by registration type and location. Check the current fee and waiver information on the ETS Praxis site and your state agency's page before registering, and note that fee waivers may have eligibility rules and limited availability.
What score do I need to pass?
Passing scores are set by states and agencies rather than by a single national cut score, and the source text does not list one for this test. Look up your state's current requirement using the ETS passing scores by state resource, and confirm with your state licensing agency, since requirements can change between testing years.
What free preparation materials exist?
ETS publishes free study companions and test outlines that describe the test format and content. Use the outline to map each domain to your coursework, then supplement with your own notes and practice questions. This page is independent and not affiliated with ETS, so treat official ETS materials as the authority on content coverage and test-day procedures.