Praxis Core Math Passing Score by State (5733): 2026 Guide

Ask what score you need on Praxis Core Math and the honest answer is: it depends on where you plan to teach. ETS writes and scores the test, but each state (and sometimes each college) decides what counts as passing. Below you will find the test format, the qualifying scores we verified on official state pages as of October 2026, the exemptions some states accept, and a study plan built around your target number.

Praxis Core Math (5733) at a glance

The official name is Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics, test code 5733. It is one of three Core subtests, along with Reading (5713) and Writing (5723). Here are the basics from the ETS test page and the official Study Companion.

The Study Companion splits the questions into three content categories. The counts are approximate because they include pretest questions and can vary by form.

For a longer walkthrough of question types and topics, see our overview of Praxis Core Math topics and format.

How Praxis Core Math is scored

Your raw score (the number of scored questions you get right) is converted to a scaled score between 100 and 200. ETS uses this conversion so that a given scaled score means the same thing on an easier or harder form of the test. That is why you will not find an official chart saying “X correct answers equals 150.”

We do have one useful clue. When ETS ran its 2019 multistate standard-setting study for this test, the recommended passing score of 150 matched 28 out of 50 raw-score points on the form the panels reviewed. That is a little over half. Treat it as a rough picture, not a target: the conversion changes from form to form, and the study’s recommendation was advisory. Each state then made its own decision.

ETS states this directly on its passing score requirements page: “Passing scores vary by state or agency; they are not set by ETS.”

Praxis Core Math passing score by state (as of October 2026)

The table lists only states where we could confirm the 5733 score on an official state source. Many other states use Praxis Core, and some have dropped it or made it optional. Requirements change often, so treat this table as a starting point. As of October 2026, confirm on ETS before you register.

Two cautions. First, your college may set a higher bar than the state minimum, so check your program handbook too. Second, in some states Core is a program admission test rather than a licensure test. ETS’s Tennessee overview, for example, says the Core tests may be required before entering a preparation program but “are not required for licensure.” To look up any state, use the ETS state requirements tool or the state education agency’s site.

Composite scores, SAT and ACT exemptions, and Praxis Bridge

Several states give you more than one way to meet the math requirement. These are the options we verified on official pages:

• South Carolina: an SAT Math score of 550 or an ACT Math score of 22 can exempt the Math subtest. An SAT composite of 1100 or an ACT composite of 22 exempts all Core sections.
• West Virginia: an ACT Math score of 21 (tests taken after July 1, 2023) or an SAT Math score of 530 exempts the math test.
• Kentucky: an ACT composite of 22 with Math 19, Reading 20 and Writing 18. ACT and Core minimum scores can be combined.
• Nevada: the Nevada Department of Education requires all three Core tests but also accepts an SAT score of at least 1100 or an ACT score of at least 21, among other options.
• Composite routes: South Carolina (464, Math at least 146) and North Dakota (466, Math at least 143) let a strong Reading or Writing score offset a slightly lower Math score.

Some states also accept Praxis Bridge. If you score within one standard error of measurement of your state’s passing score, and your state has adopted Bridge for that test, you can complete a professional learning module instead of retesting. West Virginia lists the Core Math test as Bridge-eligible.

Retake rules

If you miss your target, ETS requires you to wait at least 28 days before you test again on the same test, according to its test appointment page. The wait applies even if you canceled your scores. Taking a different Praxis test is not limited by this rule, so you could take Reading or Writing while you prepare to retake Math. Use the 28 days well: rework every missed topic before you book the new date.

What this means for you: turning a 150 into a plan

Start with your number. If you plan to teach in Alaska, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Carolina or West Virginia, your target is 150. If you are in Pennsylvania or Mississippi, the line is lower, but your program may still ask for more.

Next, do the time math. You have 90 minutes for 56 questions, which is about 96 seconds per question. Some questions take 30 seconds, and multi-step data questions can take three minutes, so the goal is an average, not a stopwatch on every item.

Then set a practice target with a safety margin. Because the official raw-to-scaled conversion varies, aim for about 65 to 70 percent correct on full-length practice tests before you book the real one. Here is how that works on a 56-question practice test:

1. Take a timed practice test, such as our Praxis Core Math practice test PDF with answers.
2. Sort your misses into the three categories. Say you missed 8 of 20 Number and Quantity questions, 4 of 18 data questions and 7 of 18 Algebra and Geometry questions. That is 37 correct, or 66 percent.
3. Pick the category with the most misses first. Here, Number and Quantity is the largest category and your weakest, so a few extra points there move your total the most.
4. Retest after a week of targeted work. If you reach 39 or 40 correct, you have room for a harder test day.

Which topics to study first

Number and Quantity (about 36 percent)

• Fractions, decimals and percents, including percent increase and decrease
• Ratios, rates and proportions in word problems
• Place value, rounding, ordering numbers and estimation
• Unit conversions and simple multi-step arithmetic

Data, Statistics and Probability (about 32 percent)

• Reading tables, bar graphs, line graphs, scatterplots and box plots
• Mean, median, mode and range, including finding a missing value from a given mean
• Simple probability and counting

Algebra and Geometry (about 32 percent)

• Linear equations and inequalities, slope and simple functions
• Writing an expression or equation from a word problem
• Area, perimeter, volume, angles and the Pythagorean theorem

Our Praxis Core Math online center groups lessons, worksheets and short quizzes by these same skill areas, which makes it easy to work on one weak spot at a time.

A four-week study plan

1. Week 1, diagnose: take one timed practice test, score it by category and list your five weakest skills.
2. Week 2, Number and Quantity: drill percents, ratios and fraction operations daily. Practice using only a basic four-function calculator, since that is what you get on test day.
3. Week 3, Algebra, Geometry and data: solve equations by hand, review area and volume formulas, and practice reading graphs quickly.
4. Week 4, timed practice: take a second full test at 90 minutes, then review every miss and every lucky guess. Our guide on how to pass the Praxis Core Math test covers pacing and multi-select strategy in more detail.

If you prefer a single book to work through, our comparison of Praxis Core Math study guides can help you choose one that fits your timeline.

Before you register: a short checklist

• Confirm your state’s 5733 score and any composite option on the ETS state requirements tool or your state agency site.
• Ask your program whether it requires a higher score or a specific deadline.
• Check whether an SAT or ACT score you already have exempts you.
• Send scores to the right state agency and program when you register.
• Plan for the 28-day retake wait when you choose your test date.

A clear target, an honest diagnostic and a few weeks of focused practice make this test manageable. Know your number, study your weakest category first, and leave yourself time for one retake if you need it.

Practice Quiz: 10 Praxis Core Math Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 150 a passing score on the Praxis Core Math?

In many states, yes. Alaska, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia all list 150 as the qualifying score for test 5733. Some states set a lower score, such as Pennsylvania at 142 and Mississippi at 130. Your program may require more than the state minimum, so check both.

How many questions do you need to get right to pass Praxis Core Math?

ETS does not publish a fixed number because raw scores are converted to scaled scores that adjust for each form's difficulty. In ETS's 2019 standard-setting study, a score of 150 matched 28 of 50 raw-score points on one form. Aim for about 65 to 70 percent on practice tests to leave a margin.

Can I use a calculator on the Praxis Core Math test?

Yes. An on-screen four-function calculator is built into the test. You cannot bring your own. It handles basic operations, so you still need to set up percent, ratio and algebra problems yourself. Practice with a simple calculator so test day feels familiar.

How soon can I retake the Praxis Core Math?

ETS requires a wait of at least 28 days between attempts at the same test, even if you canceled your scores. You can register for a different Praxis test, such as Core Reading or Writing, at any time. Use the waiting period to rework the topics you missed.

Can SAT or ACT scores replace the Praxis Core Math?

In some states. South Carolina accepts an SAT Math score of 550 or an ACT Math score of 22, and West Virginia accepts ACT Math 21 or SAT Math 530. Kentucky and Nevada also list ACT or SAT options. Rules and dates differ, so confirm on your state agency's site.

What is the Praxis Core Math score range?

Scores are reported on a scale from 100 to 200. Your raw score on the scored questions is converted to this scale so results are comparable across test forms. Your state's qualifying score sits somewhere on this scale, often at 150.

Sources

• ETS: Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733)
• ETS: Praxis Study Companion, Core Mathematics (5733)
• ETS: Passing Score Requirements
• ETS: Find your state requirements
• ETS: Manage Your Praxis Test Appointment (28-day retake rule)
• ETS: Understanding Your Praxis Scores 2023-2024 (score range 100-200)
• ETS Technical Report: Praxis Core Math (5733) Multistate Standard-setting Study, March 2019 (hosted by NJ DOE)
• ETS: About Praxis Bridge
• ETS: Overview of Tennessee Testing Requirements
• Alaska DEED: Praxis / basic competency
• Kentucky 16 KAR 5:020 Admission to educator preparation
• Mississippi Department of Education: qualifying passing score for Praxis Core Math (2019)
• North Dakota ESPB: Testing Information
• Pennsylvania Department of Education: Certification Testing
• South Carolina Department of Education: Educator Preparation Program Admission Assessments
• West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory, effective June 3, 2026
• Nevada Department of Education: Competency Testing Requirements