This overview includes information to help you prepare for the ParaPro Assessment. You will find details about the current test format, reading, mathematics, and writing content, classroom-application questions, registration, fees, scoring, retakes, and study resources.
Questions
90 selected-response questions
Testing Time
Approximately 2½ hours
Content Areas
Reading, mathematics, and writing
Test Delivery
At home or at a test center
What Is the ParaPro Assessment?
The ParaPro Assessment is a computer-delivered examination developed by Educational Testing Service. It is used by many states, school districts, and education agencies to evaluate prospective and practicing paraprofessionals.
Paraprofessionals may also be called paraeducators, teacher assistants, instructional assistants, educational assistants, or classroom aides. They work under the direction of licensed teachers and provide academic or instructional support to students.
The assessment measures basic academic knowledge in reading, mathematics, and writing. It also measures whether a candidate can apply that knowledge while assisting with classroom instruction.
Important: Some states and districts are replacing ParaPro with the newer ParaPathways assessments. Confirm the required test and qualifying score with your employer, school district, or state agency before registering.
Why Is the ParaPro Used?
Federal education requirements establish qualification standards for certain paraprofessionals who provide instructional support in programs receiving Title I funding.
Depending on the position and jurisdiction, an applicant may demonstrate qualification by:
- Completing at least two years of study at an institution of higher education
- Earning an associate degree or higher
- Passing an approved assessment that demonstrates academic knowledge and the ability to assist with instruction
State and local requirements can be more specific. Passing the ParaPro Assessment does not, by itself, guarantee employment or satisfy every requirement for a paraprofessional position.
ParaPro Test Overview
The ParaPro Assessment contains 90 selected-response questions and takes approximately two and one-half hours to complete.
All questions are presented in English. Candidates select their answers on a computer.
Academic Knowledge
Approximately two-thirds of the exam measures basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills and knowledge.
Classroom Application
Approximately one-third of the exam measures how those skills are applied while assisting students and teachers.
There is no penalty for an incorrect answer. Answer every question, even when you are uncertain.
Reading Questions
Reading questions evaluate whether candidates can understand, interpret, and analyze written information. Passages may include informational, literary, workplace, or classroom material.
Reading Skills to Review
- Identifying main ideas and supporting details
- Recognizing an author’s purpose, tone, and organization
- Determining word meaning from context
- Distinguishing facts from opinions
- Making reasonable inferences
- Comparing information from different parts of a passage
- Interpreting charts, tables, graphs, and other visual information
- Using reference materials and locating information efficiently
Reading in Classroom Situations
Application questions may ask how a paraprofessional should help a student:
- Identify the main idea of a passage
- Use context clues to understand an unfamiliar word
- Compare two texts
- Locate information in a reference source
- Recognize a sequence of events
- Use appropriate reading-comprehension strategies
Mathematics Questions
Mathematics questions measure basic concepts and problem-solving skills commonly used in elementary and middle-school classrooms.
Number and Operations
- Whole numbers and place value
- Fractions and mixed numbers
- Decimals and percentages
- Ratios and proportions
- Order of operations
Algebra and Measurement
- Variables and expressions
- Basic equations
- Patterns and sequences
- Length, area, and volume
- Unit conversions
Geometry and Data
- Angles and geometric figures
- Perimeter and area
- Tables, charts, and graphs
- Mean, median, and mode
- Basic probability
Mathematics in Classroom Situations
Application questions may ask candidates to identify an error in a student’s work, select a useful visual model, explain a mathematical process, or choose an appropriate instructional activity.
Calculators are not permitted. Practice completing arithmetic, fractions, percentages, and basic algebra without calculator assistance.
Writing Questions
The writing portion does not require candidates to compose an essay. It uses selected-response questions to measure knowledge of standard written English and the writing process.
Writing Skills to Review
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Subject-verb agreement
- Pronoun agreement and reference
- Verb tense and usage
- Capitalization and punctuation
- Spelling and word choice
- Sentence fragments and run-on sentences
- Organization, transitions, and paragraph development
- Revising and editing written material
Writing in Classroom Situations
Classroom-application questions may address:
- Helping a student organize ideas before writing
- Selecting an appropriate prewriting strategy
- Recognizing effective feedback
- Helping students revise and edit drafts
- Using reference materials
- Supporting spelling, grammar, and vocabulary development
At-Home and Test-Center Options
Candidates may take the ParaPro Assessment remotely or at a participating community-based testing center.
At-Home Testing
The exam is taken on a compatible personal computer and monitored by a live online proctor.
- Current test fee: $85
- Available seven days a week
- Requires the ETS Secure Browser
- Requires a private testing room
- Requires compatible equipment and internet access
Community-Based Test Center
Testing is offered through participating school districts, education centers, colleges, and local agencies.
- ETS test fee: $55
- A local premium may be added
- Appointments are arranged with the center
- Dates and payment methods vary
- Testing-center procedures apply
How Do I Register?
Registering for At-Home Testing
- Create or sign in to a ParaPro account.
- Confirm that your state, district, or employer accepts ParaPro.
- Run the required equipment check.
- Register and pay online.
- Select an available appointment.
- Review the room, identification, and security rules.
Registering at a Community Test Center
- Locate a participating center in your state.
- Contact the center directly.
- Ask about appointment dates and local fees.
- Confirm the accepted payment methods.
- Review the center’s identification and arrival requirements.
Candidates requesting disability or health-related accommodations must receive approval before scheduling. Separate extended-time procedures may also be available for eligible test takers whose primary language is not English.
What Should I Expect on Test Day?
Test-Day Checklist
- Review the identification requirements before test day.
- Make sure the name on your identification matches your registration.
- Arrive at a community test center approximately 30 minutes early.
- Do not bring a calculator.
- Store phones, watches, notes, books, and other prohibited items.
- Follow all instructions from the administrator or online proctor.
- Select the correct school district or agency as the score recipient.
- Answer every question before submitting the examination.
At-Home Note-Taking Materials
Regular paper is not permitted during an at-home examination. Candidates may generally use either:
- One small desktop whiteboard with an erasable marker
- One sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker
All notes must be erased in view of the proctor at the end of the session.
How Is the ParaPro Scored?
ParaPro scores are based on the number of scored questions answered correctly. Incorrect and unanswered questions do not receive credit.
ETS does not establish one universal passing score. Each participating state, school district, or agency determines the qualifying score it requires.
Check the exact qualifying score for your intended employer or score recipient. A score accepted by one state or district may not satisfy another.
What Appears on the Score Report?
- The candidate’s ParaPro score
- Pass or no-pass information when available for the selected recipient
- Performance information for the content categories
- Background and educational information
When Are Scores Available?
An unofficial score is available after the test.
At a community-based testing center, the unofficial score can generally be printed. At-home candidates see the unofficial score onscreen but do not receive a printed copy.
The official score report is normally posted to the candidate’s ParaPro account and sent electronically to the designated score recipient approximately two to three weeks after the examination.
ParaPro scores remain valid for 10 years.
Can I Retake the ParaPro?
Candidates may retake the assessment under the current ETS retest policy.
Current Retake Pattern
- One retake may be taken without a required waiting period.
- Before an additional attempt, the candidate must wait seven days after the most recent test.
- After the waiting period, two more attempts may be taken.
- The pattern of a seven-day wait after two attempts then repeats.
The same retake policy applies to at-home and community-based testing. Scores from an attempt that violates the retake policy may be canceled, and the fee may not be refunded.
How Can I Prepare for the ParaPro?
Begin with a diagnostic practice test. Separate missed questions into reading, mathematics, writing, and classroom-application categories.
Learn the underlying skills before adding strict time limits. Once the content is familiar, complete mixed practice sets and full-length tests under realistic conditions.
ParaPro Study Checklist
- Review main ideas, supporting details, vocabulary, inference, and text organization.
- Practice interpreting tables, charts, graphs, and reference materials.
- Review whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
- Study basic algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics, and probability.
- Complete all mathematics practice without a calculator.
- Review grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and word usage.
- Practice organizing, revising, and editing paragraphs.
- Study how paraprofessionals appropriately support instruction without replacing the teacher.
- Complete full practice tests within two and one-half hours.
- Review the reasoning behind every missed answer and every correct answer obtained through guessing.
Time-Management Strategy
Two and one-half hours for 90 questions provides an average of approximately one minute and 40 seconds per question.
- Answer straightforward questions efficiently.
- Do not spend too long on one difficult item.
- Eliminate clearly incorrect choices.
- Make an educated guess when necessary.
- Leave enough time to answer every question.
ParaPro Study Resources
Top Study Guide:
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High-Quality Flashcards:
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