How to Study for the Praxis When You Are Carrying a Full Course Load

By Stacy Redd DeMartini, Study.com Content Development Team

The best way to study for the Praxis exam with a full course load is five to six focused hours per week, in fixed sessions, over eight to ten weeks. Pair this Praxis study plan with these syllabus tips to fit it into your semester.

Key Takeaways

• Weekly hours: Five to six focused hours per week over eight to ten weeks is

enough to pass the Praxis test.

• Fixed schedule: A repeating weekly Praxis study schedule works better than studying

whenever you are free.

• Final stretch: The last two weeks are for timed Praxis practice tests, not new content.

• Retake rule: Book your test date first, then plan backward. ETS requires a 28 day wait between retakes.

Why Doesn't "Just Study More" Work for the Praxis?

"Just study more" fails because students have no extra hours to give. The fix is placement and repetition, not volume.

• Marathon sessions: Retention drops sharply after the first hour.

• Studying "whenever you're free": Free time rarely arrives during a full semester.

• Waiting until finals end: Leaves no margin to recover from a weak practice test.

How Do You Study for the Praxis Exam With a Full Course Load?

To study for the Praxis exam with a full course load, commit to about five hours per week in fixed, repeating time slots. Studying then stops being a weekly decision.

• Monday - 60 min Content review on one weak area

• Tuesday- flexible catch up day

• Wednesday - 60 min with 20 untimed practice questions; read every explanation. Read explanations for correct answers too, since a lucky

  guess is still a gap.

• Thursday- flexible catch up day

• Friday - 30 min redo five questions you missed this week

• Saturday- 120 min with one timed section, then review every missed question. Silence your phone and time it like test day.

• Sunday - 30 min to update your error log. Sort misses into careless mistakes, content gaps, or timing issues; each needs a different fix.

• Catch up days can be used if Monday falls through; it moves to Tuesday instead of disappearing.

Track progress weekly with this Praxis test prep checklist from Study.com, and keep your error log in a tool you already use.

What Should You Prioritize in the Final Two Weeks Before the Praxis?

In the final two weeks before the Praxis, stop learning new material and start rehearsing.

• 14 days out: Take one full length, timed official ETS Praxis practice test without

pausing.

• 13 to 3 days out: Focus only on your two lowest scoring content categories.

• Old misses: Redo past misses instead of new questions.

• Logistics: Confirm your ID, test center or at home system check, score recipients, and arrival time.

• Final 48 hours: Stick to light review and sleep.

For the best Praxis test prep, check your test's content on Study.com's Praxis Test Prep page.

As an official ETS partner, Study.com aligns its Praxis exam prep course with the real test.

What Is Not Worth Your Praxis Study Time?

These Praxis study habits feel productive but build little test readiness.

• Rereading chapters: Passive rereading has a low return per hour.

• Rewriting notes neatly: Looks organized but doesn't improve recall.

• Memorizing theorist names: Praxis questions ask you to apply ideas, not recall names.

• Cramming the night before: Lost sleep costs more than last-minute review adds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours should I study for the Praxis each week?

Study five to six hours per week, starting eight to ten weeks before your test date. Include one timed section weekly. A consistent Praxis study plan built on short, repeating sessions helps you retain more without sacrificing coursework.

Is the Praxis test hard?

The Praxis is not usually hard conceptually, since most content overlaps with your teacher preparation program. The real challenge is finding consistent practice time.

How many times can you take the Praxis test?

If you fail the Praxis test, you can retake it after a 28-day waiting period set by ETS. Schedule your first attempt early so a retake still fits your certification deadline.

Can I study for the Praxis during student teaching?

Yes. Cut to about four hours per week by dropping the Friday block and trimming Saturday to 90 minutes, but protect the timed practice session.

About the Author

The Study.com Editorial Team writes guides for aspiring teachers preparing for licensure. Study.com is an official Praxis® test prep partner of ETS, the organization behind the Praxis exams. Its Praxis prep covers more than 50 tests with a diagnostic, a personalized study plan, video lessons, and authentic practice tests.