The ETS Praxis Series exams are designed to assess subject matter knowledge and other competencies for individuals planning a career in teaching. Many prospective teachers must begin by taking the Praxis Core, which is a basic skills test covering mathematics, reading and writing.  Often colleges use Praxis Core scores to evaluate candidates for entry into teacher preparation programs. 

Before achieving licensure, many states also require candidates to pass one or more Praxis Subject Assessments. The specific Praxis Subject Assessment that a candidate must take depends on the subject and grade-level that candidate plans to teach. For example, those planning to teach elementary school typically must pass exams such as Praxis Elementary Education, which cover a broad range of topics, while those planning to teach a specific subject at the secondary school level must pass a Praxis single subject exam.