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PRAXISCode: 5135Arts✍ Essay Questions🖼 Upload Required

Praxis® Art: Content and Analysis (5135)
Practice Test & Study Guide

Comprehensive preparation for prospective art teachers — covering Art Making, Historical Foundations, and the constructed-response Art Analysis essays that require uploading your own artwork before test day.

90
Questions
2 hrs
Time limit
161
Passing score*
3
Content parts
$156
Exam fee
3
Essay questions
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Upload your artwork before test day — deadline is 3 days prior. Part B requires you to upload 4 digital images of your own artwork (JPG, max 3 MB each) via My Praxis Account. The system assigns each image an ID number. You must bring printed copies to the test center. If the ID number is not entered correctly in your essay response, the art-making response will NOT be scored.

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Higher exam fee: $156. The Art: Content and Analysis (5135) costs more than the standard $130 Praxis fee because it includes constructed-response essays scored by trained human raters. Budget accordingly when registering.

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Source: All exam details are drawn from the official ETS Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) Study Companion. Passing scores vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

Free Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) Sample Quiz

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A student looking at Picasso's Guernica identifies fragmented, angular figures and a black-and-white palette, then infers these choices communicate chaos and moral outrage. Which two stages of art criticism has the student moved through?

Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) — Test at a Glance

Key facts directly from the official ETS test specifications.

TEST NAME
Art: Content & Analysis
Praxis Subject Assessment
TEST CODE
5135
Computer-delivered
TOTAL QUESTIONS
88
85 SR + 3 essay
TIME LIMIT
2 hrs
120 minutes
ESSAY QUESTIONS
3
25% of total score
REGISTRATION FEE
$156
Higher than standard $130
TYPICAL PASSING SCORE
161
Scaled; varies by state
SCORE REPORTING
5 wks
After test date

About the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) Exam

What makes this exam different from other art Praxis tests — and what you need to know before you register.

The Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) measures whether entry-level art teachers have the standards-relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for beginning professional practice. It is intended for individuals completing teacher training programs who plan to become art teachers. Candidates typically have completed a bachelor's degree in art or art education.

What sets this exam apart from the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) is the three constructed-response (essay) questions in Part B, worth 25% of the total score. These require genuine analysis — one essay on art history from memory, and two essays on artwork you personally created. Because the art-making essays require you to reference your own uploaded images, extensive preparation must happen before test day.

In Part A, images appear on screen with some selected-response questions. In Part B, the art-making questions require you to write about two works you have created in two different media. Before the test, you upload four digital JPG images via My Praxis Account. Each image receives a system-generated ID number. You must bring printed copies of all four images to the test center — the ID number must be entered correctly or the response will not be scored.

The exam fee is $156 — higher than the standard $130 Praxis fee — because the constructed-response essays are scored by trained human raters using official rubrics.

Official Exam Blueprint: Structure and Weights

The exam is split into two parts with very different preparation requirements. Part A is selected-response; Part B requires essay writing and advance artwork preparation.

SectionQuestions% of ScoreFormat
Part A — Selected-Response Questions (75%)
I. Art Making5548%Selected-response
A. General (elements, principles, methods)11
B. Media and Processes44
II. Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Art3027%Selected-response
A. Materials and Processes in Historical Context5
B. Western Tradition in Art History12
C. Art Beyond the Western Tradition6
D. Responding to Art7
Part B — Constructed-Response Essays (25%)
III. Art Analysis325%Written essay
A. Historical and Theoretical Foundations (15-min essay)1
B. Art Making — Personal Artwork (2 × 10-min essays)2

Part B: Artwork Upload — Critical Pre-Test Steps

Part B is unique to this exam. Unlike any other Praxis test, it requires significant preparation before you arrive at the test center. Follow these steps exactly.

1

Select 4 original works in at least 2 different media

Choose four works you have created that you feel comfortable writing about analytically. The works must be in at least two different media — you’ll need one per art-making essay question, and each must use a different medium. Work in the same medium for both essay responses means the second will not be scored.

2

Photograph or scan each work to a digital JPG file (max 3 MB)

Each image must be a JPG file no larger than 3 MB. Photograph or scan the work carefully — the image quality affects how clearly you can reference specific visual elements in your essay response.

3

Upload all 4 images via My Praxis Account — deadline: 3 days before test day

Log in to your My Praxis Account and upload all four digital images. During upload, enter title, date of completion, media, and dimensions for each work. The system assigns each image a unique ID number (e.g., AI#001#). You may update images and edit information at any time before the deadline.

⚠ For a Saturday appointment, the upload deadline is Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

4

Print one copy of each image and bring all 4 printouts to the test center

Print one image per page. The system-generated ID number appears on each printout. You must enter this number in the AI# box when writing your essay response. Bring all four printouts even if you only plan to use two — you choose which works to write about on test day.

⚠ If the ID number is not entered correctly, the art-making response WILL NOT BE SCORED.

5

On test day: write 3 timed essays (Part B)

Essay 1 (15 minutes): Respond to a general art historical topic by selecting a relevant, verifiable work from memory — not your own work or student work. Supply specific visual evidence and engage with art historical concepts. Essays 2 and 3 (10 minutes each): Choose one of your four uploaded works for each essay. Each response must reference a different medium.

Key Topics by Content Area

Focus your study on these specific competencies — drawn from the official ETS test specifications for Part A.

I-A

Art Making: General

11 questions
Creating and critiquing personal artwork: analyzing processes, techniques, ideation, concepts, influences, strengths, and weaknesses
Elements of art: line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color — applied to 2D and 3D media
Principles of visual organization: balance, emphasis, rhythm, movement, pattern, unity, variety
Relationships between elements and principles in 2D and 3D art
Historical methods of creating art: golden mean, hierarchical organization, linear perspective
Contemporary approaches: juxtaposition, appropriation, transformation — defining and identifying both in artworks
I-B

Art Making: Media and Processes

44 questions
Safety, environmental, and storage issues: clay dust, lead pigments, MSDS/SDS sheets, ventilation, disposal of oily rags, proper precautions for toxic materials
Identifying dangerous materials (nitric acid, solvents, oxidizing agents) and storage requirements — separating incompatible materials
Drawing, painting, printmaking: characteristics, vocabulary, processes — vine vs. compressed charcoal, gouache, oil paint, watercolor, impasto, alla prima, scumbling, hard-edge painting
Comparing and contrasting drawing, painting, and printmaking materials; analyzing compatibility of techniques
Digital photography: camera parts, white balance, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, .jpg vs. .tif formats, ppi and dpi, raster vs. vector formats
Digital editing: cropping, manipulation, resizing, filters (Photoshop), uploading, downloading, and printing images
Videography, filmmaking, and installation art: tools, materials, and processes; performance art terminology
Sculptural materials and processes: additive, subtractive, assembled; maquette; hollow cast bronze; earthenware vs. stoneware vs. porcelain; ceramic hand-building techniques
Fiber art materials and processes: weaving (warp and weft), basketry, paper making, jewelry making, sewing-based processes; warp vs. weft; shuttle use
Displaying artwork: cutting mats, dry mounting, matting, framing, pedestals, shadow boxes, exhibition space; glass-paneled cases for fragile sculpture
Key art vocabulary: foreshortening, contrapposto, sfumato, greenware, raku, terracotta, stoneware, warp and weft, impasto, gesture drawing, arabesque, Kouroi
Solving problems using art materials; evaluating possible solutions; analyzing material compatibility
II-A

Materials and Processes in an Art Historical Context

5 questions
Characteristics of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, photography, fiber arts, and crafts within their historical contexts
Evolution of materials, processes, and techniques over time — similarities and differences across periods
Vocabulary related to 2D and 3D media within an art historical context
Recognizing processes within an art historical context through reproductions
II-B

The Western Tradition in Art History

12 questions
Stylistic traits of art and architecture from: Prehistory; Egypt and the Ancient Near East; Ancient Greece and Rome; Early Christian, Byzantine, and Medieval periods
Renaissance; Baroque; 18th–20th centuries in Europe and North America; contemporary art — identifying styles, periods, and major works
Content, context, and purpose of art from each period; decoding narrative and intended meaning
Interrelationships between art and social factors, cultural context, and historical events
Impact of major artistic and technological innovations: linear perspective, invention of the camera, invention of oil and acrylic paints
Analyzing compositional elements and design principles in specific works; influence of periods and schools on later art
II-C

Art Beyond the Western Tradition

6 questions
General visual characteristics of art and architecture from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the South Pacific region
Classifying works by region and culture; analyzing compositional elements and design principles in non-Western art
Interrelationships between non-Western and Western art traditions
Content, context, and purposes of non-Western art; the role of art in specific cultures (ceremony, ritual, historical documentation)
How context conveys information about lifestyles and belief systems (e.g., Mesoamerican pyramids, Buddhist statues, Islamic architecture)
Identifying major works by title, style, and/or artist across world traditions
II-D

Responding to Art

7 questions
Major theories of art and aesthetics: formalism, expressionism, deconstructivism, representationalism, institutionalism
Distinguishing among and comparing aesthetic theories; interpreting and evaluating works through these frameworks rather than personal opinion
Critical response: knowledge of critical reactions to well-known works and art movements
Multiple viewpoints in examining art (visual or written analysis; various critical lenses)
How personal experience affects interpretation of art; how meaning is created through symbols, iconography, and formal elements
How culture, gender, age, and individual perception affect critical response to art
III

Art Analysis — Constructed-Response Essays (Part B)

3 essays · 25%
Essay 1 (15 min) — Art History: Select and analyze a verifiable historical work of art from memory. Must not be your own work or student work. Supply specific visual evidence; engage with art historical and theoretical concepts.
Essay 2 (10 min) — Art Making #1: Write an organized analysis of one of your uploaded works. Reference the system-generated AI# in the answer box. Analyze processes, techniques, ideation, elements, and principles of design.
Essay 3 (10 min) — Art Making #2: Write about a second uploaded work in a different medium. Responses to both art-making questions must use different media — if both use the same medium, the second essay will NOT be scored.
Image upload deadline: 3 days before test day (e.g., Wednesday 11:59 p.m. ET for a Saturday appointment). Upload 4 JPG images (max 3 MB each) via My Praxis Account.

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know before and on exam day.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Exam fee$156
Testing formatsIn-person or remote
ID required2 forms of valid ID
Arrive (in-person)30 min early

Scoring

Score typeScaled score
Part A basisCorrect answers (75%)
Part B basisRubric-scored essays (25%)
Typical pass score161 (varies by state)
Results available5 weeks post-test

In-Person Testing

Test centersPrometric locations
Personal itemsStored in locker
Bring to center4 artwork printouts
Admission ticketPrint from ETS account

Remote Testing

Browser requiredETS Secure Test Browser
Equipment neededWebcam, mic, speakers
Check-in processRoom scan required
Proctor typeLive remote proctor

Passing Score Requirements by State

The Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) is used by states that require constructed-response art analysis for certification. Passing scores are not uniform.

Important: The typical passing score for this exam is approximately 161, though the exact requirement varies by state or licensing agency. A score that meets requirements in one state may not meet requirements in another. Always verify the exact passing score for your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.

Your raw score is a combination of Part A (correct answers on 85 selected-response questions, worth 75% of total) and Part B (rubric-scored essays by human raters, worth 25% of total). These are converted to a scaled score that adjusts for minor difficulty differences between test editions. There is no penalty for incorrect answers on Part A, so never leave a question blank.

Critical: If the Artwork Identification (AI) number is not entered correctly on your Part B essays, that response will not be scored. Double-check every AI# before submitting.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis Exam

Strategies drawn from the official ETS Study Companion and the exam's unique artwork-upload and essay requirements.

Start artwork selection and upload weeks early — not days.

You must upload 4 original artworks as JPG files (max 3 MB each) via My Praxis Account at least 3 days before your test date. Late uploads are not accepted. For a Saturday test, the deadline is Wednesday at 11:59 PM ET. Give yourself time to photograph or scan works properly and troubleshoot any upload issues.

Choose works in genuinely different media — same medium means second essay not scored.

Part B requires you to analyze two of your uploaded works in separate essays, and each must be in a different medium. If both essays reference works in the same medium, the second essay will not be scored. Plan your 4 uploads so you have clear options in at least 2 distinct media (e.g., oil painting and ceramic sculpture).

Practice Part B essay structure under timed conditions.

Essay 1 (art history) gives you 15 minutes; Essays 2 and 3 (art making) give you 10 minutes each. These are very tight time limits. Practice writing structured, evidence-based responses within these exact timeframes. A clear thesis, 2–3 supporting points, and a brief conclusion is a workable format.

Art Making is 48% — prioritize Media and Processes (I-B, 44 questions); know safety and MSDS.

Subcategory I-B alone accounts for roughly half of Part A. You must know the vocabulary, characteristics, tools, and processes for every medium: drawing, painting, printmaking, digital photography, sculpture, fiber arts, and installation/video. Materials safety (clay dust, lead pigments, solvents, MSDS/SDS sheets, ventilation) is consistently tested.

Build visual memory across all historical periods — Essay 1 requires analysis from memory.

Part B Essay 1 asks you to select and analyze a verifiable historical artwork entirely from memory — no images are provided. You must be able to recall specific works, their artists, periods, and visual characteristics well enough to write a substantive analytical essay in 15 minutes.

Know aesthetic theories by name: formalism, expressionism, deconstructivism, representationalism, institutionalism.

Responding to Art (II-D, 7 questions) requires you to distinguish, compare, and apply these theories to interpret specific works. The exam tests whether you can evaluate art through these frameworks, not just define them abstractly.

Print all 4 artwork images and bring them to the test center — check AI# numbers.

After uploading, each artwork is assigned an Artwork Identification (AI) number. You must reference the correct AI# in your Part B essays. Print physical copies of all 4 uploaded works and bring them to the test center for reference. If an AI# is entered incorrectly, that essay response will not be scored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced from the official ETS Praxis Art: Content and Analysis Study Companion and Mometrix test preparation resources.

How many questions are on the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135)?+
The exam contains 88 total questions: 85 selected-response questions in Part A (75% of total score) and 3 constructed-response essays in Part B (25% of total score). The total time limit is 2 hours (120 minutes). Part A covers Art Making (55 questions, 48%) and Historical and Theoretical Foundations (30 questions, 27%). Part B covers Art Analysis (3 essays, 25%).
Do I need to upload artwork for the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135)?+
Yes — this is a critical requirement unique to this exam. You must upload 4 original artworks as JPG images (max 3 MB each) via My Praxis Account at least 3 days before your test date. Each uploaded work is assigned an Artwork Identification (AI) number that you must reference in your Part B essays. If the AI# is entered incorrectly, that response will not be scored.
What is the passing score for the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135)?+
The typical passing score is approximately 161, though the exact requirement varies by state or licensing agency. Always verify your specific state requirement at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.
How much does the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) cost?+
The registration fee is $156 — higher than the standard $130 Praxis fee because Part B essays are scored by trained human raters using rubrics, which increases the cost of test administration.
Can I use the same medium for both art-making essays?+
No. Each of the two art-making essays (Essays 2 and 3) must analyze a work in a different medium. If both essays reference works in the same medium, the second essay will not be scored. Plan your 4 artwork uploads to include works in at least 2 genuinely different media.
What content categories are on the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135)?+
The exam covers 3 major content areas: (I) Art Making — 48%, 55 questions, split into General (11) and Media and Processes (44); (II) Historical and Theoretical Foundations — 27%, 30 questions, split into Materials in Historical Context (5), Western Tradition (12), Art Beyond the Western Tradition (6), and Responding to Art (7); and (III) Art Analysis — 25%, 3 constructed-response essays.
How is Part B (essays) scored on the Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135)?+
Part B essays are scored by trained human raters using official ETS rubrics. Each essay is evaluated on the quality of your analysis, the specificity of your references to the artwork, and your use of art vocabulary. Part B accounts for 25% of your total scaled score. Essay 1 (15 minutes) requires analysis of a historical artwork from memory; Essays 2 and 3 (10 minutes each) require analysis of your uploaded personal artwork.
When will I receive my Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) scores?+
Official score reports are typically available approximately five weeks after your test date. Because Part B includes human-scored essays, results may take the full reporting window. Scores are posted to your ETS account and sent to any institutions you designated at registration.

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Sources: ETS Praxis Art: Content and Analysis (5135) Study Companion (official PDF, praxis.ets.org); ETS Praxis Test Schedule 2025–26. Praxis® is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. Passing score requirements vary by state — always verify at ets.org/praxis/states.
Last Updated: May 22, 2026