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PRAXISCode: 5134Arts🖼 Images Included

Praxis® Art: Content Knowledge (5134)
Practice Test

Comprehensive preparation for prospective art teachers, aligned to the official ETS blueprint. Covers Art Making, Art History, and the Theoretical Foundations of Art.

90
Questions
2 hrs
Time limit
155
Passing score*
2
Content parts
$130
Exam fee
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Images are included on the exam. Some questions display works of art as thumbnail images on screen. You can click to expand, zoom in, and close each image as needed. Strong visual recognition of artworks from all historical periods and world traditions is essential — this is a core skill tested throughout both content categories.

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Source: All exam details on this page are drawn directly from the official ETS Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) Study Companion and the official Praxis website. Passing score requirements vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

Free Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) Sample Quiz

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Which printmaking technique involves cutting away non-printing areas from a metal plate using a sharp tool?

Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) — Test at a Glance

Key facts directly from the official ETS test specifications.

TEST NAME
Art: CK
Praxis Subject Assessment
TEST CODE
5134
Computer-delivered
TOTAL QUESTIONS
120
All selected-response
TIME LIMIT
2 hrs
120 minutes
IMAGES
Included
Artwork on some questions
REGISTRATION FEE
$130
Paid to ETS at registration
TYPICAL PASSING SCORE
155
Scaled; varies by state
SCORE REPORTING
5 wks
After test date

About the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) Exam

What you need to know before you register.

The Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) measures whether entry-level art teachers have the standards-relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for beginning professional practice. The test is intended primarily 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.

The test questions focus on concepts considered central to the study of art, measuring knowledge of art making and the historical and theoretical foundations of art. A distinctive feature of this exam is that images are included on the screen with some questions — thumbnail versions of artworks appear that you can expand, zoom in on, and close as needed.

The exam has a strongly visual, application-focused character. Rather than purely factual recall, many questions require candidates to identify artworks by period and style, analyze compositional elements, understand the content and context of specific works, and apply theories of aesthetics to evaluate art.

The test may contain some questions that will not count toward your score — unscored pretest items used for future test development. You won't know which questions are unscored, so treat every question equally.

Official Exam Blueprint: 2 Content Categories

The official ETS blueprint defines 2 main content categories with 6 subcategories. Percentages and question counts are drawn directly from the ETS Study Companion.

Category I
Art Making
Elements of art and principles of visual organization; historical and contemporary methods of creating art; safety and materials; drawing, painting, printmaking, digital photography, videography, sculpture, fiber arts; presenting artwork for display.
A. General
Elements of art, principles of design, historical and contemporary methods
13% · 15 q
B. Media and Processes
Safety, drawing/painting/printmaking, digital, video, sculpture, fiber arts, display
51% · 61 q
64%
76 questions
Category II
Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Art
Materials and processes in historical context; Western art history from Prehistory through contemporary; art beyond the Western tradition (Asia, Africa, the Americas, South Pacific); major theories of art and aesthetics; critical response to art.
A. Materials and Processes in an Art Historical Context
Painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, photography, fiber arts, crafts
5% · 6–7 q
B. The Western Tradition in Art History
Prehistory through contemporary art and architecture in Europe and North America
15% · 17–18 q
C. Art Beyond the Western Tradition
Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the South Pacific region
7% · 9 q
D. Responding to Art
Major theories of aesthetics; art criticism; meaning and interpretation
9% · 11 q
36%
44 questions

Key Topics by Content Category

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

I-A

Art Making: General

15 questions · 13%
Elements of art: line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color — as applied to 2D and 3D media
Principles of visual organization (design): balance, emphasis, rhythm, movement, pattern, unity, variety
Relationships between elements and principles in two-dimensional and three-dimensional art
Historical methods of creating art: golden mean, hierarchical organization, linear perspective
Contemporary approaches to creating art: juxtaposition, appropriation, transformation
Identifying and distinguishing both historical and contemporary methods in artworks
I-B

Art Making: Media and Processes

61 questions · 51%
Safety, environmental, and storage issues for art materials: clay dust, lead pigments, MSDS/SDS sheets, ventilation, proper disposal
Identifying dangerous materials, health hazards (toxicity), and safety precautions for artists’ tools
Drawing, painting, and printmaking: characteristics, vocabulary, processes, and techniques — comparing and contrasting materials
Recognizing drawing, painting, and printmaking processes through reproductions
Digital photography: camera parts, vocabulary, editing software (cropping, manipulation, resizing), file types (.jpg, .tif), uploading and printing
Videography, filmmaking, and installation art: materials, tools, and processes; performance art terminology
Sculptural materials and processes: characteristics, vocabulary, subtractive/additive methods, comparing materials and techniques
Fiber art materials and processes: weaving, basketry, paper making, jewelry making, processes based on sewing
Presenting artwork for display: cutting mats, mounting, display boards, methods for 3D work, appropriate use of exhibition spaces
Solving problems using art materials and evaluating possible solutions
Analyzing compatibility of materials and techniques across media
Key vocabulary: impasto, alla prima, scumbling, sfumato, foreshortening, greenware, raku, warp and weft, contrapposto, hard-edge painting
II-A

Materials and Processes in an Art Historical Context

7 questions · 5%
Characteristics of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, photography, fiber arts, and crafts within historical context
Similarities and differences among materials, processes, and techniques and their evolution over time
Vocabulary related to 2D and 3D media and processes within an art historical context
Recognizing and identifying processes within an art historical context through reproductions
II-B

The Western Tradition in Art History

18 questions · 15%
Stylistic traits of art and architecture from: Prehistory; Egypt and the Ancient Near East; Ancient Greece and Rome; Early Christian, Byzantine, and Medieval; Renaissance; Baroque
18th through 20th centuries in Europe and North America; contemporary art — identifying styles, periods, major works, artists, and titles
Content, context, and purpose of art from each period; decoding narrative and intended content of works
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 principles of design in specific works and architecture
Influence of art historical periods and schools on later work
Evaluating information about art and artists from various sources
II-C

Art Beyond the Western Tradition

9 questions · 7%
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
Interrelationships between non-Western and Western art traditions
Content, context, and purposes of art from non-Western traditions; role of art in various cultures (ceremony, historical documentation, celebration)
How context conveys information about lifestyles and belief systems (e.g., Mesoamerican pyramids)
Identifying major works by title, style, and/or artist as appropriate across world traditions
II-D

Responding to Art

11 questions · 9%
Major theories of art and aesthetics: formalism, expressionism, deconstructivism, representationalism
Distinguishing among and comparing theories of art and aesthetics
Interpreting and evaluating works of art based on aesthetic theories rather than personal opinion
Critical response: knowledge of critical reactions to well-known works and art movements
Multiple viewpoints in examining a work of 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

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know before and on exam day.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Exam fee$130
Testing formatsIn-person or remote
ID required2 forms of valid ID
Arrive (in-person)15–30 min early

Scoring

Score typeScaled score
Raw score basisCorrect answers only
Typical passing score155 (varies by state)
Results available5 weeks post-test
State requirementsets.org/praxis/states

In-Person Testing

Test centersPrometric locations
Personal itemsStored in locker
Scratch paperProvided at station
Admission ticketPrint from ETS account

Remote Testing

DeviceLaptop/desktop only
No touchscreensTablets not allowed
Browser requiredETS Secure Test Browser
Equipment neededCamera, mic, speakers

Passing Score Requirements by State

The Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) is used by many states but passing scores are not uniform.

Important: The typical passing score for this exam is approximately 155, 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 (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score that adjusts for minor difficulty differences between test editions. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so never leave a question blank. Some questions on the exam are unscored pretest items — you won't know which ones — so treat every question equally.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge Exam

Strategies drawn from the official ETS Study Companion and the exam's unique visual and art-historical demands.

Art Making is 64% of the exam — prioritize Media and Processes above all.

Subcategory I-B alone accounts for 51% (about 61 questions). You must know the vocabulary, characteristics, tools, and processes for every medium: drawing, painting, printmaking, digital photography, sculpture, fiber arts, and installation/video. Shallow familiarity is not enough — you need to know the specific properties and vocabulary of each.

Know your art safety rules cold.

Questions about materials safety, MSDS/SDS sheets, proper ventilation, and storage of hazardous art materials appear consistently. These are high-value, memorizable facts. Know which materials are dangerous (clay dust, lead pigments, solvents), how to store them separately, and what procedures to follow when toxic materials must be used.

Build strong visual recognition across all historical periods.

Category II-B (Western Art History, 15%) tests your ability to identify specific artworks, artists, and architectural styles from Prehistory through contemporary. Since images appear on screen during the exam, you must be able to recognize key works visually — not just recall names from memory. Regularly practice with images from each period.

Study non-Western traditions as seriously as Western ones.

Art Beyond the Western Tradition (II-C, 7%) is a category many candidates underestimate. Know the general visual characteristics and cultural contexts of art from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the South Pacific. Understand the role artworks play within their cultures — ritual, historical documentation, ceremony.

Learn the major theories of aesthetics by name and application.

Responding to Art (II-D, 9%) requires you to distinguish formalism, expressionism, deconstructivism, and representationalism — and to apply them to interpret specific works. The exam tests whether you can evaluate art through these frameworks, not just define them.

Master the vocabulary of every medium.

Technical art vocabulary is heavily tested throughout the exam. Terms like impasto, alla prima, sfumato, foreshortening, contrapposto, warp and weft, greenware, raku, scumbling, hard-edge painting, arabesque, and Kouroi are directly tested. Build a comprehensive glossary and study it consistently.

Practice with the image expansion feature before test day.

On the computer-delivered exam, artwork thumbnails appear next to questions. You click to expand, zoom, and close images. Being comfortable with this interface prevents lost time on test day. Use the ETS Computer-Delivered Testing Demonstration to practice before your exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

How many questions are on the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134)?+
The exam contains 120 selected-response questions with a 2-hour time limit. Questions are divided into 2 main categories: Art Making (76 questions, 64%) and Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Art (44 questions, 36%). Note that the exam may contain some unscored pretest questions that don't count toward your score.
What is the passing score for the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134)?+
The passing score is generally around 155, though the exact requirement differs by state. Each state or licensing agency sets its own minimum scaled score. Always verify your specific state requirement at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.
Does the Praxis Art exam include images of artworks?+
Yes — this is a key feature of the exam. Images are included on screen with some questions. Artwork thumbnails appear above or to the left of the relevant question. You can click the plus sign to expand the image, zoom in and out, and close it. Strong visual recognition of artworks across all historical periods and world traditions is essential for success on this exam.
What are the content categories on the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134)?+
The exam covers 2 main categories: (I) Art Making — 64%, 76 questions, split into General (13%) and Media and Processes (51%); and (II) Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Art — 36%, 44 questions, split into Materials in Historical Context (5%), Western Tradition (15%), Art Beyond the Western Tradition (7%), and Responding to Art (9%).
What is the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge exam designed to measure?+
The test measures whether entry-level art teachers have the standards-relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for beginning professional practice. It is intended for individuals completing teacher training programs. Candidates typically have a bachelor's degree in art or art education. Questions focus on art-making knowledge and the historical and theoretical foundations of art.
What question formats appear on the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge exam?+
The exam uses several forms of selected-response questions: single-selection multiple-choice (most common); selecting all correct answers from a list; selecting from a drop-down menu; clicking parts of a graphic such as a map or chart; and dragging and dropping answers into a targeted area on the screen. Clear instructions are provided for each format.
How much does the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge exam cost?+
The registration fee is $130, paid directly to ETS at praxis.ets.org.
When will I receive my Praxis Art: Content Knowledge scores?+
Official score reports are typically available approximately five weeks after your test date.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the Praxis Art: Content Knowledge exam?+
No. Your score is based solely on correct answers. Never leave a question blank — always answer every question, even if you need to guess.

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Sources: ETS Praxis Art: Content Knowledge (5134) 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