Praxis Speech Communication study guide
Praxis Speech Communication · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Speech-Language Pathology (5331) test is an ETS Praxis Subject Assessment used in educator certification. ETS describes its purpose as independent practice as a speech-language pathologist in all primary employment settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics and private practice, so it is aimed at candidates who need a certification or licensure score rather than at general audiences. The registration page lists the test fee as $146.00. Because states and agencies set their own certification requirements, ETS advises candidates to check state requirements before registering so they book the right test. Topics on this exam: Foundations and Professional Practice, Audiology and Hearing, Speech and Language Development and Disorders, and Voice, Fluency, and Swallowing Disorders. The Praxis Speech Communication study guide has 4 sections and about 1,394 words.
01Foundations and Professional Practice
Foundations and Professional Practice tests how speech-language pathologists and audiologists apply ethics, law, scope of practice, supervision, reimbursement, and evidence-based decision-making in real settings. The exam favors applied scenarios over isolated definitions. ASHA's Code of Ethics is organized around four principles: responsibilities to persons served, professional competence, responsibilities to the public, and responsibilities to the profession. Ethical dilemmas require identifying the principle, the affected party, and the least restrictive action that protects both care and honesty.
344 words, about 2 min02Audiology and Hearing
Audiology and Hearing tests hearing science, disorders, assessment, amplification, and rehabilitation. Expect audiogram interpretation, tympanometry, screening, and candidacy questions rather than equipment repair. dB HL is the reference for audiometric thresholds; dB SPL is physical sound pressure. Do not compare them directly.
361 words, about 2 min03Speech and Language Development and Disorders
Speech and Language Development and Disorders covers typical milestones, differential diagnosis, assessment, and intervention for children. The exam tests whether you can separate delay, disorder, and difference and choose culturally valid procedures. By 12 months, infants use gestures, joint attention, and first words; by 18 months, many use 10-50 words; by 24 months, two-word combinations and roughly 50-300 words are expected. By 3 years, speech is intelligible to unfamiliar listeners much of the time; by 4-5 years, grammar approaches adult forms.
377 words, about 2 min04Voice, Fluency, and Swallowing Disorders
Voice, Fluency, and Swallowing Disorders tests evaluation and management of dysphonia, stuttering/cluttering, and dysphagia. Questions often ask you to distinguish structural, neurologic, functional, and developmental patterns. Voice evaluation includes case history, perceptual ratings (CAPE-V: overall severity, roughness, breathiness, strain, pitch, loudness), laryngeal imaging (videostroboscopy), and acoustic/aerodynamic measures. Vocal fold nodules are typically bilateral at the point of maximum vibration and related to phonotrauma; polyps are often unilateral.
312 words, about 2 min