The Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) exam measures the mathematics knowledge and teaching-related skills needed by beginning middle school mathematics teachers. This test replaced the older Middle School Mathematics (5169) exam. This guide covers the current test format, five content categories, calculator rules, scoring, registration, retakes, and study resources.
5169 Has Been Replaced by 5164
The Praxis Middle School Mathematics test previously used test code 5169. That version of the exam is no longer the current Praxis Middle School Mathematics assessment.
The current exam is Middle School Mathematics (5164). Candidates preparing to test now should use study materials aligned with 5164 rather than the retired 5169 blueprint.
Do not prepare from the old 5169 outline. Test 5169 contained 55 questions in two broad categories: Arithmetic and Algebra, and Geometry and Data. The current 5164 exam contains 66 questions divided among five content categories and also places much more explicit emphasis on applying mathematics in teaching situations.
What Is the Praxis Middle School Mathematics Exam?
The Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) exam is designed to measure knowledge and competencies considered important for beginning middle school mathematics teachers.
The mathematics content spans the middle school curriculum and includes numbers and operations, algebra, functions, geometry and measurement, statistics, and probability.
The exam also measures whether you can apply that mathematical knowledge to situations teachers regularly encounter when working with students, instructional materials, mathematical explanations, and student reasoning.
Check your state’s requirements first: Praxis requirements are set by individual states and licensing agencies. Before registering, confirm that your state requires or accepts Middle School Mathematics (5164) and determine the qualifying score you need.
Who Is Eligible to Take the Exam?
ETS does not impose a universal degree or teaching-experience prerequisite simply to register for the Praxis Middle School Mathematics test.
However, individual states, educator-preparation programs, and licensing agencies may establish their own requirements for when you may take the exam and how the score can be used toward certification.
Test takers have typically completed a bachelor’s degree program with appropriate coursework in mathematics and education.
Praxis Middle School Mathematics Exam Format
The exam uses selected-response and numeric-entry questions. Selected-response questions may require you to choose one answer or more than one answer, depending on the question.
The test may also contain some questions that do not count toward your score. These questions are used for test-development purposes and are not identified while you are testing.
What Is on the Praxis Middle School Mathematics Exam?
The 66 questions are divided among five mathematics categories.
| Content Category | Approx. Questions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers and Operations | 16 | 23% |
| Algebra | 15 | 23% |
| Functions | 11 | 17% |
| Geometry and Measurement | 13 | 20% |
| Statistics and Probability | 11 | 17% |
Numbers and Operations – 23%
This category measures your understanding of real numbers and the operations used with them.
Topics include:
Operations and properties of real numbers
Natural, whole, integer, rational, and irrational numbers
Fractions, decimals, and percents
Ratios, rates, and proportional relationships
Percent problems, including discounts, markups, taxes, tips, interest, and percent error
Units and dimensional analysis
Prime numbers, factors, multiples, and other basic number-theory concepts
Algebra – 23%
This category tests your ability to work with algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, linear relationships, and systems.
You should be prepared to simplify and manipulate expressions, represent relationships algebraically, solve equations and inequalities, work with linear equations in different forms, and solve systems both algebraically and graphically.
Quadratic equations and other nonlinear relationships can also appear, including interpreting solutions and using the quadratic formula when appropriate.
Functions – 17%
The Functions category measures whether you understand functions conceptually and can move between equations, tables, graphs, and real-world descriptions.
Topics include domain and range, function notation, linear functions, quadratic functions, exponential functions, rates of change, intercepts, transformations of graphs, mathematical modeling, and arithmetic sequences.
Geometry and Measurement – 20%
This category covers two- and three-dimensional geometry as well as measurement and coordinate geometry.
Topics include:
Parallel, perpendicular, and intersecting lines
Angle relationships
Triangles and the Pythagorean theorem
Quadrilaterals and other polygons
Translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations
Congruence and similarity
Circles
Distance, midpoint, perimeter, area, surface area, and volume
Measurement systems and unit conversions
Statistics and Probability – 17%
This category covers the collection, representation, interpretation, and analysis of data as well as basic probability.
You should understand sampling, statistical questions, measures of center and variability, bar graphs, line graphs, histograms, boxplots, scatterplots, two-way tables, trends, lines of best fit, probability models, dependent and independent events, and counting techniques.
About 30% of the Exam Involves Teaching Mathematics
One of the biggest differences between the current 5164 exam and the old 5169 exam is the more explicit emphasis on Tasks of Teaching Mathematics.
Approximately 30% of the questions test mathematical content in the context of work a middle school mathematics teacher might actually perform.
Evaluating mathematical explanations and justifications
Identifying flaws in mathematical reasoning
Evaluating student work and mathematical strategies
Recognizing misconceptions and deciding how they could be addressed
Choosing examples and counterexamples that illustrate mathematical ideas
Selecting problems and instructional tasks that reveal or develop student understanding
Study implication: Do not prepare only by solving mathematics problems yourself. Practice interpreting student solutions, diagnosing mistakes, comparing strategies, and deciding which examples or explanations would help students understand a concept.
Can I Use a Calculator?
Yes. The Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) exam provides an on-screen graphing calculator.
You should become familiar with the calculator before test day so that learning its functions does not consume valuable testing time.
You will also have access to a list of selected mathematical formulas and unit conversions. However, not every common formula or conversion is provided, so you still need to know standard mathematical relationships and conversions that are expected at this level.
Do not bring your own calculator. Use the graphing calculator provided within the testing system.
How Much Does the Praxis Middle School Mathematics Exam Cost?
The current ETS registration fee for Middle School Mathematics (5164) is $130. Additional charges can apply for optional services or changes to an existing registration.
How Do I Register?
Registration is completed through your Praxis account.
1. Check your state requirements.
Verify that your licensing agency requires or accepts Middle School Mathematics (5164).
2. Sign in to or create your Praxis account.
Use your account to register for the assessment.
3. Select Middle School Mathematics (5164).
Do not register for materials or services associated with the retired 5169 test.
4. Choose how you will test.
The current exam may be taken at an approved test center or at home where available and permitted for your situation.
5. Choose your date and pay the fee.
Select an available appointment and complete your registration.
6. Select score recipients.
You can designate up to four eligible institutions or agencies to receive your scores at no additional charge during the applicable selection period.
Test Center or At Home?
ETS currently offers Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) both at approved testing centers and as an at-home online exam.
Take the computer-delivered exam at an approved Praxis testing location and follow the center’s check-in and identification procedures.
Take the exam remotely if you meet ETS’s current computer, room, identification, and proctoring requirements.
What to Know Before Test Day
Review your appointment details and current ETS identification requirements before test day.
Practice using the on-screen graphing calculator before your exam.
Review the supplied formula and conversion reference information so you know what is and is not provided.
Remember that some questions may require more than one selected response or a numeric-entry answer.
Expect teaching-scenario questions in addition to direct mathematics problems.
With 66 questions in 180 minutes, you have an average of a little over 2.7 minutes per question.
How Is the Praxis Middle School Mathematics Exam Scored?
Praxis scores for Middle School Mathematics are reported on a 100–200 scale.
There is no single nationwide passing score. The score required to pass is established by the state, licensing agency, or other organization using the examination.
Your score is based on the number of points you earn on scored questions. Questions used for pretesting do not contribute to your score.
Do not rely on a generic passing score: Before setting your target, look up the current requirement for the state or program where you are seeking certification. A score that qualifies in one jurisdiction may not be the required score in another.
When Will I Get My Score?
Because Middle School Mathematics is computer scored, you may be offered an opportunity to view unofficial score information at the end of your test session.
Your official score report is posted in your Praxis account on the score-reporting date associated with your test date and delivery method. ETS provides the expected reporting date when you schedule your exam.
Official Praxis score reports remain accessible through your online account for up to 10 years from the score-reporting date. A state or licensing agency may impose its own rules concerning how old a score may be when used for certification.
What If I Don’t Pass?
You may retake the Praxis Middle School Mathematics exam if you do not earn the score you need or if you want to improve a previous score.
Praxis retake rule: Your new test date must be at least 28 days after your previous test date. The waiting period applies even if you canceled the score from your earlier attempt.
You may register for the retake before the 28 days have passed as long as the new testing date itself satisfies the waiting period.
ETS does not set a general lifetime attempt limit for Praxis tests, although state or program policies may impose additional requirements.
How Can I Prepare for Praxis Middle School Mathematics?
Make sure your study materials specifically say 5164. Materials built around 5169 can still contain useful mathematics practice, but they do not accurately represent the current test structure.
The current test requires you to do two things: solve middle school mathematics problems correctly and apply mathematical knowledge to teaching situations.
Praxis 5164 Study Checklist
Use the current five-category 5164 blueprint instead of the old two-category 5169 outline.
Review real numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, rates, proportions, units, and number theory.
Practice algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, linear relationships, and systems of equations.
Be able to interpret and compare functions presented as equations, graphs, tables, and verbal descriptions.
Review geometry, transformations, similarity, congruence, coordinate geometry, area, surface area, volume, and measurement.
Practice interpreting statistical displays, sampling methods, measures of center and variability, and probability models.
Practice analyzing student errors and deciding why a mathematical strategy is valid or invalid.
Become comfortable using the on-screen graphing calculator rather than relying on your personal calculator.
Complete timed practice with both traditional math problems and teaching-scenario questions.
Praxis Middle School Mathematics Study Resources
These resources are aligned with the current Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5164) exam.
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