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PRAXISCode: 5713Core Reading📚 CCSS Reading AlignedPart of Core Combined 5752

Praxis® Core Academic Skills
for Educators: Reading (5713)
Practice Test & Study Guide

Comprehensive preparation for prospective teachers — covering all 3 official content categories aligned to Common Core State Standards for Reading. Every question is passage-based; no vocabulary lists or outside content knowledge required.

56
Questions
85 min
Time limit
Varies
Passing score*
3
Content categories
$90
Individual fee
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Adaptive IRT-based selection
Explanation for every question
Domain-level score breakdown
Timed full-length practice mode
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All 56 questions are passage-based — no outside knowledge required. Every question can be answered using only information stated or implied in the provided passage. The ETS Study Companion is explicit: if passage content conflicts with knowledge you already have about a topic, ignore what you know and answer based on the passage alone. There are no standalone vocabulary questions, antonyms, or analogies — only passage-based reading comprehension.

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The live page shows 3 domains at NaN% — the correct category weights are 35 / 30 / 35%. Key Ideas and Details accounts for 35% (~17–22 questions), Craft, Structure, and Language Skills accounts for 30% (~14–19 questions), and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas accounts for 35% (~17–22 questions). The time limit is 85 minutes, not 1h 25m as shown — and the passing score varies by state, not a fixed 156.

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Source: All exam details are drawn from the official ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills: Reading (5713) Study Companion. The exam aligns to Common Core State Standards for Reading. Passing scores vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

Praxis Core Academic Skills: Reading (5713) — Test at a Glance

Key facts directly from the official ETS test specifications.

Test name
Core Academic Skills: Reading
Praxis Core Subtest
Test code
5713
Computer-delivered
Total questions
56
All selected-response
Time limit
85 min
~91 seconds per question
All questions
Passage-based only
No outside knowledge needed
Passages on exam
~20
Varying lengths and types
Individual fee
$90
Or $150 combined (5752)
Score reporting
~5 wks
After test date

About the Praxis Core Academic Skills: Reading (5713)

What you need to know before you register.

The Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) measures academic skills in reading needed to prepare successfully for a career in education. All skills assessed have been identified as needed for college and career readiness, in alignment with the Common Core State Standards for Reading. There is particular emphasis on skills critical to learning and achievement in teacher preparation programs — specifically the ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate texts of different kinds.

The reading material varies in difficulty and is drawn from a wide variety of subject areas and real-life situations — social science, humanities, science, and general interest. No question requires outside knowledge. Everything needed to answer each question is directly stated or implied in the passage. If passage content conflicts with what you know about a topic, answer based on the passage alone.

The test consists entirely of reading passages followed by questions. There are no standalone vocabulary questions, no antonyms, and no analogies. There are approximately 20 different reading selections on any given form of the exam. Passages are drawn from newspapers, magazines, journals, nonfiction books, novels, online articles, and visual representations such as diagrams, charts, drawings, maps, and graphs.

This subtest can be taken independently ($90) or as part of the Core Combined (5752) with Writing and Mathematics for $150 total. Scores are reported separately for each subtest. Some questions are unscored pretest items you cannot identify — treat every question equally.

Four Reading Passage Formats

The exam uses four distinct stimulus types — knowing each format helps you pace strategically and know what to expect from each question set.

📄📄
Paired Passages
Two related passages on the same topic. Followed by 4–7 questions — including cross-text comparison questions asking you to identify agreement, disagreement, or structural relationship between the two texts.
~200 words total · Most complex question set on the exam
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Long Passages
Single passages of ~200 words on one topic. Followed by 4–7 questions covering all three content categories — main idea, tone, structure, argument evaluation, and application.
~200 words · 4–7 questions
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Short Passages
Single passages of ~100 words. Followed by 2–3 questions. Allow faster pacing than long passages but test the same range of skills. Complete each set fully before moving on.
~100 words · 2–3 questions
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Brief Statements
One or two sentences followed by a single question. Often tests inference, underlying assumptions, or logical conclusions. Fast to read but analytically demanding — the reasoning required is the same as for longer passages.
1–2 sentences · 1 question
ETS strategy guidance:Once you've started a set of questions, complete all questions in the set before moving on. For passage-based sets (unlike standalone questions), it is more efficient to work through each group completely rather than skipping questions and returning later. This is because the context of the passage is freshest in your memory immediately after reading it.

What You'll Read on Test Day

Passages reflect a wide range of writing forms and subject areas — drawn directly from the types of reading educated adults encounter in everyday life.

Subject Areas
  • Social sciences (history, politics, economics, sociology)
  • Humanities (literature, art, philosophy, culture)
  • Natural sciences (biology, environment, technology)
  • General interest (current events, everyday topics)
Writing Forms & Sources
  • Description, explanation, persuasion, narration, personal reflection
  • Newspapers, magazines, academic journals, nonfiction books, novels
  • Online articles, blog-style writing, editorial texts
  • Visual representations: diagrams, charts, graphs, maps, floor plans, drawings

You may know a great deal about some passage topics and very little about others. That does not matter — to answer the questions, you do not need to draw on any background or outside knowledge. Everything you need is in the passage.

Official Exam Blueprint: 3 Content Categories

The official ETS blueprint defines 3 content categories. Key Ideas and Details and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas are each 35%; Craft, Structure, and Language Skills is 30%.

Category I
Key Ideas and Details
Identifying accurate summaries or paraphrases of the main idea or primary purpose of a reading selection; identifying supporting ideas and specific details; identifying inferences and implications that can reasonably be drawn from directly stated content. Tests whether you understand what a passage explicitly says and what it logically implies.
35%
~17–22 questions
Category II
Craft, Structure, and Language Skills
Identifying the author's tone or attitude; recognizing how text is organized (cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution, etc.); identifying key transition words and how they are used; identifying the role a specific idea or reference plays in an argument; determining word meanings in context; distinguishing fact from opinion.
30%
~14–19 questions
Category III
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Identifying accurate interpretations of texts that include visual representations (charts, graphs, maps, diagrams); evaluating arguments — identifying relationships among ideas, whether evidence strengthens or weakens arguments, unstated assumptions, and drawn conclusions; analyzing and comparing texts — recognizing similar ideas, applying ideas to new situations, identifying points of agreement and disagreement between two passages.
35%
~17–22 questions

Key Topics by Content Category

Every skill the ETS Study Companion lists — drawn directly from the official content specification for the 5713.

I

Key Ideas and Details

~17–22 questions · 35%
Main idea identification: Identify accurate summaries or paraphrases of the main idea or primary purpose of a passage — what is the passage primarily concerned with?
Accurate paraphrase: Distinguish a correct paraphrase of the central argument from distorted, too-narrow, or too-broad summaries of the same content
Supporting ideas: Identify accurate summaries or paraphrases of supporting ideas and specific details — what does the passage state as evidence or elaboration?
Detail retrieval: Locate specific information stated in the text; identify which answer choice accurately reflects a detail vs. one that misrepresents or distorts it
Inferences: Identify inferences and implications that can reasonably be drawn from the directly stated content — what does the passage logically imply without explicitly saying?
Warranted vs. unwarranted conclusions: Distinguish inferences supported by the text from ones requiring outside information or going beyond what the passage supports
Primary purpose vs. topic: Recognize that a passage's primary purpose (to describe an attitude, make a comparison, evaluate an argument) differs from merely identifying what it is about
Sample question type: "The passage is primarily concerned with…" — example: Marguerite Duras passage (Q1) tests distinguishing describing an attitude from analyzing style or criticizing shortcomings
II

Craft, Structure, and Language Skills

~14–19 questions · 30%
Attitude and tone: Identify accurate descriptions of the author's tone or attitude — is the author admiring, critical, skeptical, neutral, ironic, nostalgic, or celebratory?
Tone through word choice: Recognize how specific word choices convey authorial attitude; identify tone words that describe the author's stance precisely
Transition words and their function: Identify key transition words and phrases (however, therefore, in addition, similarly) and explain what logical relationship they signal — contrast, consequence, addition, comparison
Text organization: Identify accurate descriptions of how a passage is organized — cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution, chronological, persuasive argument with counterargument, description
Role of specific information: Identify what role an idea, reference, or piece of information plays in the author's discussion — does it support, qualify, contrast, introduce, provide evidence, or offer a counterexample?
Word meanings in context: Determine what a word means as used in a specific passage — e.g., "clear" in "the impacts are clear and unambiguous" most nearly means "obvious," not "pure" or "luminous"
Word substitution questions: "Which word, if substituted for [word] in line X, would best maintain the meaning?" — requires knowing the precise contextual meaning, not the most common definition
Fact vs. opinion: Determine whether information in a passage is presented as a verifiable fact or as the author's opinion, judgment, or unsupported assertion
III

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

~17–22 questions · 35%
Visual representations: Identify accurate interpretations of texts that include charts, graphs, diagrams, maps, floor plans, or drawings — select the conclusion best supported by the data (e.g., takeout food bar graph question)
Relationships among ideas: Identify the logical relationships among ideas in a passage — how do different parts of the argument connect, support, qualify, or extend one another?
Evidence evaluation: Determine whether a piece of evidence strengthens, weakens, or is irrelevant to an argument — a critical thinking skill tested across both single and paired passages
Unstated assumptions: Determine the assumptions on which an argument or conclusion is based — what must be true for the author's reasoning to hold? (e.g., Johns Hopkins passage: the school would have excluded women without the fundraisers' insistence)
Drawing conclusions: Draw conclusions from material presented in a reading selection — which conclusion is best supported by the information given? (Not over-inference; must stay within what the passage supports)
Application of ideas: Recognize ideas or situations similar to what has been presented; apply ideas from a passage to a new situation not described in the text
Cross-text agreement and disagreement: Recognize points of agreement and disagreement between two paired passages — which claim do both authors support? Where do they differ in emphasis, approach, or specific detail?
Paired passage relationship: Identify the structural relationship between two passages — Passage 1 makes general claims while Passage 2 offers a specific example (ecotourism passages); one refutes the other; one extends the other's argument

Official ETS Reading Strategies

These strategies come directly from the ETS Praxis Core Reading Study Companion — the guidance ETS itself provides for doing well on this exam.

01
Complete each passage set fully
Once you start a question set, answer all questions before moving on. Passage context is freshest immediately after reading. Don't skip within a set and return later.
02
Answer every question
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Always select your best answer for every question — never leave one blank. Even uncertain guesses are better than no answer.
03
Ignore outside knowledge
If what you know conflicts with what the passage says, answer from the passage. The exam tests reading comprehension, not prior content knowledge.
04
No speed-reading needed
You don't need to be a fast reader. The ETS Study Companion explicitly states: "You do not need to be a fast reader to succeed — you need to understand what you have read."
05
Read for logic and flow
Most passages make a single central point then back it up with examples. Look for transition words (but, however, therefore) that signal the passage's logical structure.
06
Develop reading strategies
Your best preparation is developing the ability to read carefully with strategies that help you move quickly. Practice regularly with varied passage types under timed conditions.

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know before and on exam day.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Individual fee$90
Combined fee (5752)$150 (all 3 subtests)
Testing formatsIn-person or remote
Arrive (in-person)30 min early

Scoring

Score typeScaled score
Wrong answer penaltyNone
Passing scoreVaries by state
Results available~5 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

Browser requiredETS Secure Test Browser
DeviceLaptop or desktop only
Equipment neededWebcam, mic, speakers
Proctor typeLive remote proctor

Passing Score Requirements by State

Passing scores are set individually by each state and vary across jurisdictions.

Important: Passing score requirements for the Core Academic Skills: Reading (5713) are set individually by each 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 accounts for minor difficulty differences between test editions. There is no penalty for incorrect answers — always answer every question. Some questions are unscored pretest items that you cannot identify, so treat every question equally.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Core Reading Exam

Strategies aligned to the exam's passage-based design, four passage formats, three content categories, and the ETS guidance from the official Study Companion.

  • Key Ideas and Details and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas are each 35% — together they're 70% of the exam. Category I (main idea, supporting ideas, inferences) and Category III (argument evaluation, visual interpretation, cross-text comparison) together account for approximately 34–44 questions. Prioritize these two categories in your preparation, then layer in Craft, Structure, and Language Skills (30%) for the remaining 14–19 questions.
  • Always answer from the passage — and ignore what you know. The official ETS guidance is unambiguous: "If the information in the passage conflicts with knowledge you have about the subject, you should not let your knowledge influence your choice of answer." This is the most common wrong-answer trap on passage-based reading tests. What sounds true from general knowledge is often a distractor designed to catch candidates who don't read carefully.
  • For paired passage sets, identify the relationship before reading the questions. Paired passages include 4–7 questions, several asking about the structural relationship between the two texts. As you read, briefly note: does Passage 2 give a specific example of Passage 1's general claim? Does it refute it? Extend it? Qualify it? In the official sample questions, Passage 1 makes general claims about ecotourism and Passage 2 illustrates those claims with a specific case study — knowing this relationship in advance makes all the comparison questions significantly faster.
  • For argument evaluation questions, identify the specific claim being evaluated first. The most challenging questions in Category III ask you to identify what would most weaken or most strengthen an implied argument. In the Johns Hopkins sample question, you first need to identify the implied argument (the school would have excluded women without the fundraisers' insistence) — only then can you identify which answer choice would weaken it. Identify the specific claim before evaluating the answer choices.
  • Complete each question set fully before moving on — don't skip within sets. The official ETS strategy guidance: "Once you've started a set of questions, answer all the questions in the set." Passage context is freshest immediately after reading. If you skip a difficult question within a set and return later, you may need to re-read the passage, wasting time. For standalone brief statements, it is fine to skip and return; for passage sets, work through them completely.
  • Practice with visual representation questions — about 20 passages include charts or graphics. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas specifically tests interpreting texts that include visual representations. In the official sample, question 11 requires reading a bar graph showing takeout food orders by quarter. Practice spending 20–30 seconds understanding the axes, categories, and trends of a chart or graph before reading the questions — then answer based solely on what the visual shows.
  • Download the official ETS Study Companion and work through all 18 sample questions with explanations. The companion contains 18 authentic passage-based questions covering all three content categories, all four passage formats, and both single-answer and "select all that apply" formats — with detailed explanations describing exactly what skill each question tests and why each wrong answer is incorrect. The ecotourism paired passage (questions 12–17) is especially valuable for practicing cross-text comparison skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced directly from the official ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills: Reading (5713) Study Companion.

How many questions are on the Praxis Core Reading (5713)?
The exam contains 56 selected-response questions with an 85-minute time limit. Questions span 3 content categories: Key Ideas and Details (35%, ~17–22 questions), Craft, Structure, and Language Skills (30%, ~14–19 questions), and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (35%, ~17–22 questions). All questions are based on reading passages or brief statements — no outside knowledge is required.
Do I need outside knowledge to answer the questions?
No. All questions can be answered using only the information contained within the passage. If the information in a passage conflicts with knowledge you have about the subject, answer based on the passage alone. There are no standalone vocabulary questions, antonyms, or analogies — only passage-based comprehension questions.
What types of passages are on the Praxis Core Reading (5713)?
Four passage formats: paired passages (~200 words total, 4–7 questions); long passages (~200 words, 4–7 questions); short passages (~100 words, 2–3 questions); and brief statements (1 question). About 20 different reading selections appear on any form of the exam. Passages cover social science, humanities, natural science, and general interest topics. Visual representations (charts, graphs, maps, diagrams) may also appear.
What content categories are on the Praxis Core Reading (5713)?
Three official content categories: Key Ideas and Details (35%, ~17–22 questions) — main ideas, supporting details, and inferences; Craft, Structure, and Language Skills (30%, ~14–19 questions) — author's tone, text organization, word meanings in context, fact vs. opinion; Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (35%, ~17–22 questions) — visual representations, argument evaluation, unstated assumptions, and cross-text comparison.
Are there vocabulary questions on the Praxis Core Reading exam?
No. There are no standalone vocabulary questions such as antonyms or analogies. The ETS Study Companion explicitly states: "You do not have to memorize lists of hard words." Word meaning questions appear only in context — you determine what a word means as it is used in a specific passage, not its most common dictionary definition.
What are the "Select ALL that apply" questions?
Some questions ask you to select all correct answers from a list — for example: "The passage supports which of the following claims? Select ALL that apply." You must select every correct answer to receive credit. These appear alongside standard single-answer questions. Carefully evaluate each answer choice independently before submitting.
Can I take the Core Reading (5713) as part of the Combined test?
Yes. The Core Reading (5713) can be taken independently ($90) or as part of the Praxis Core Combined (5752) with Writing (5723) and Mathematics (5733) for $150 total. The Combined test saves $120 compared to registering for all three separately. Scores are reported separately for each subtest regardless of how you register.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the Praxis Core Reading exam?
No. Your score is based solely on correct answers — there is no penalty for wrong answers. Always answer every question, even if you need to guess. Never leave a question blank.

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Sources: ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) Study Companion (official PDF, praxis.ets.org); ETS official test page for 5713; Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts — Reading; ETS Praxis fee 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 10, 2026