PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623) Practice Tests
Adaptive practice questions aligned to the official Praxis blueprint. Track mastery domain-by-domain and know exactly where to focus before test day.
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Free PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623) Sample Quiz
1 / 10PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623): Test at a Glance
Facts as published by the official test program.
The Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5-9 test (5623) is one of the Praxis assessments from ETS, which many states and educator preparation programs use for licensure.
Assesses a new teacher's knowledge of educational practices foundational to a career as a professional educator, including human development, learning, instruction, diverse learners and professional issues. Aligned with the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards.
The constructed-response questions relate to two case histories. Plan about 70 minutes for selected-response and about 50 minutes for constructed-response; the sections are not timed separately.
Passing scores are set by each state or agency that requires the test, so confirm the score you need with your state or program before you register.
PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623): Exam Blueprint
Content categories and approximate weighting from the official test framework.
1. Students as Learners
22.5% · 21 questions2. Instructional Process
22.5% · 21 questions3. Assessment
15% · 14 questions4. Professional Development, Leadership, and Community
15% · 14 questions5. Analysis of Instructional Scenarios (constructed response)
25% · 4 questionsStudy Guide by Category
Use this section to plan your study time. Each topic comes from the official content categories for Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5-9 (5623).
Category I · Students as Learners
21 questions · 22.5%- Learning theories and theorists Know the major contributions of Bandura, Bruner, Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg and Bloom, be able to compare one theory with another, and apply each to a classroom example.
- Key learning vocabulary Metacognition, schema, transfer, self-efficacy, self-regulation, the zone of proximal development, and classical and operant conditioning. Go beyond definitions and connect each term to a classroom situation.
- Stages of human development Describe a typical child at each stage in the cognitive, physical, social and moral domains, and recognize typical and atypical variation within a stage.
- Diverse learners and exceptionalities Variables that affect learning (culture, socioeconomic status, prior knowledge, motivation, language), the areas of exceptionality (cognitive, auditory, visual, motor/physical, speech/language, behavioral), the provisions of ADA, IDEA and Section 504, traits of gifted students, and how English language acquisition affects English learners.
- Motivation and the learning environment Behavioral theorists (Thorndike, Watson, Maslow, Skinner, Erikson); motivation terms such as self-determination, attribution, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, cognitive dissonance, and positive and negative reinforcement; classroom routines, standards of conduct, record keeping and room arrangement; strategies that build self-motivation.
Category II · Instructional Process
21 questions · 22.5%- Planning instruction The role of district, state and national standards; scope and sequence; selecting content; writing observable, measurable objectives in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains with Bloom's taxonomy; resources for enrichment and remediation; thematic and interdisciplinary units; collaborating with instructional partners.
- Applying educational theories Be able to recognize cognitivism (schema, information processing), social learning theory (modeling, vicarious learning), constructivism (scaffolding, problem-based and inquiry learning) and behaviorism (conditioning, reinforcement, punishment) in a described lesson.
- Instructional models and strategies Differences between direct and indirect instruction, discovery learning versus expository teaching, strategies for complex thinking and self-regulation, group configurations and grouping techniques, choosing a strategy for an objective, and monitoring and adjusting instruction using student feedback.
- Questioning and communication Components of effective questioning, varying question types, encouraging higher-level thinking, keeping discussion safe and open, verbal and nonverbal communication, how culture and gender affect communication, active listening and using communication tools.
Category III · Assessment
14 questions · 15%- Assessment and evaluation strategies The role of formal and informal assessment in guiding instruction, the different types of assessment, choosing a format and tools that match the objective, and the purpose of self- and peer assessment.
- Assessment tools and scoring Types and purposes of standardized tests, norm-referenced versus criterion-referenced scoring, testing and scoring terminology (such as percentile rank), holistic versus analytic scoring, and interpreting results and explaining them to students, parents or caregivers and school personnel.
Category IV · Professional Development, Leadership, and Community
14 questions · 15%- Professional development and reflection Professional development practices and resources (independent research, internships, mentors, study groups), how research and debate affect teaching practice, and the role of reflective practice in professional growth.
- Leadership, community and legal issues School support personnel, teachers as leaders in the community, building collaborative relationships with colleagues, administrators, parents or caregivers and the community, and the implications of major legislation and court decisions (liability, licensing and tenure, copyright).
Category V · Analysis of Instructional Scenarios (constructed response)
4 questions · 25%- How the section works Four constructed-response questions are based on two case histories. ETS says about 1–2 questions cover Students as Learners, 1–2 cover Instructional Process, 0–1 cover Assessment and 0–1 cover Professional Development, Leadership, and Community.
- Typical tasks Identify a strength or weakness in the instruction described, then propose a strategy that fits the students in the case. Support each point with evidence from the case and tie it to a learning theory, strategy or legal requirement you studied in categories I–IV.
- Pacing ETS suggests about 70 minutes for the selected-response section and about 50 minutes for the constructed-response section. The sections are not timed separately, so decide your split before you begin.
- Constructed-response questions are written by you and scored by trained raters. Practice writing complete, organized answers within the time limit, because they carry part of your score.
Registration, Test Day and Scoring
- Retake wait
- At least 28 days between attempts
- Refund requests
- Must reach ETS 3+ days before the test
- Arrival at a test center
- 30 minutes before your appointment
How to Register
- 1Confirm what your state requires
Required tests and passing scores vary by state and program. Check yours before you pay, because the score you need decides how much preparation is enough.
- 2Create your Praxis account
Register at praxis.ets.org. Enter your first and last name exactly as they appear on the ID you will bring, with no nicknames or abbreviations.
- 3Pick your test, date and location
Choose a test center or, for tests that offer it, an at-home appointment. Tests are scheduled by appointment and not every test is offered year round, so look at dates early.
- 4Choose your score recipients
Up to four recipients are free at registration. If you add your college or university, list it as a recipient or it will not receive your report. You can add or change recipients up to 3 days before your test date.
Fees
$156. Tests with constructed-response questions cost more than selected-response-only tests. ETS may offer fee waivers to eligible test takers, so check its fees and waivers page before you pay. A refund request must reach ETS at least 3 days before your test date. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount when you register.
Test day
At a test center, report at least 30 minutes before your appointment. If you arrive after your scheduled testing time you will not be allowed to test and you forfeit your fee.
Bring valid, acceptable ID. The first and last name on your registration must exactly match your ID, so fix any mismatch before test day.
At home, no mobile devices, notes, textbooks, recording devices or headsets are allowed. Screen-sharing and remote-access software must be turned off for the whole test, and you may only communicate with the proctor. Breaking these rules can cancel your test without a refund.
Most tests have no scheduled break, but at home you may take a short unscheduled break.
Live test content is confidential. Do not discuss or share questions online, in study groups or in classrooms.
Scoring
Passing scores are set by each state or agency, not by ETS. ETS publishes the required scores by state on its passing scores page.
Official score reporting dates vary by test. When your scores are ready you get an email, and the report stays in your online account for ten years. Download a copy for your records.
Some tests show an unofficial score at the end of the session. Before you see it, the computer lets you report or cancel the score. Once you have viewed it, it cannot be canceled, and a canceled score is not refunded or reinstated.
Each constructed-response test is scored by more than one rater. If you think your score does not reflect your performance, ETS offers a Score Review Service for a $65 fee.
Four score recipients are free. Sending reports to additional institutions or agencies costs extra.
Who Takes the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5-9 (5623)?
Teacher candidates seeking licensure. The PLT test is designed for new teachers in the grades 5 through 9 range. ETS says test takers typically have completed, or nearly completed, an undergraduate teacher preparation program.
Candidates whose state or program requires it. Not every state uses the PLT, so confirm that your state or program requires test 5623 before you register.
How to Prepare for PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623)
- 1Start with the free Study Companion
ETS publishes a free Study Companion for test 5623. It lists every content topic and includes sample questions with explanations. Read it first and note the topics you cannot yet explain.
- 2Study by category weight
Give the most time to Analysis of Instructional Scenarios (constructed response) (about 25%), but cover every category.
- 3Practice written responses under time
Plan briefly, answer every part of the prompt, and leave a minute to review. Compare your answers with the scoring guides in the Study Companion.
- 4Compare theorists in a table
Many questions ask you to tell two theories apart. Build a one-page table of each theorist, the key idea and a classroom example, and quiz yourself on it.
- 5Work from the official discussion questions
The ETS Study Companion lists discussion questions for each category. Answer them aloud or with a study partner, since they model how the test combines several ideas.
- 6Answer the exact task asked
For each constructed response, name the strength or weakness, then give a strategy. Use specific details from the case rather than general teaching advice.
- 7Rehearse the pacing
Practice a full 120-minute run with about 70 minutes on selected-response and 50 on written responses, because the sections are not timed separately.
- 8Leave room for a retake
You must wait at least 28 days between attempts, so book your first attempt early enough that a second one still fits your licensing deadline.
PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623): Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5-9 test cover?+
Assesses a new teacher's knowledge of educational practices foundational to a career as a professional educator, including human development, learning, instruction, diverse learners and professional issues. Aligned with the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards. The constructed-response questions relate to two case histories. Plan about 70 minutes for selected-response and about 50 minutes for constructed-response; the sections are not timed separately.
What is the passing score for Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5-9?+
There is no single national passing score. Each state or agency that requires the test sets its own, and ETS lists them by state on its Praxis passing scores page.
How much does the Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5-9 test cost?+
$156. Fees can change and fee waivers may be available, so confirm on the official Praxis site.
How soon can I retake a Praxis test?+
At least 28 days after the previous attempt. For example, if you test on the 1st of the month, the earliest retake date is the 29th.
What happens if I arrive late?+
At a test center you must report at least 30 minutes early. If you arrive after your scheduled testing time you are not allowed to test and you forfeit your fee.
Can I cancel my score?+
On tests that show an unofficial score, you can choose to cancel before you view it. Once viewed, it cannot be canceled, and a canceled score is not refunded or reinstated.
Ready to practice for PLT: Grades 5–9 (5623)?
Free sample questions with full explanations. No credit card required.
Start Practice Free →Sources: Official Praxis Study Companion for test 5623 (PDF); Praxis passing scores by state; Praxis fees and waivers; How to register for Praxis; Getting your Praxis scores. Always confirm current requirements, fees and passing scores with the official program before you register.
ApexTeachersPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
About the Authors
Written by
Craig John
Content Development Lead, M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, B.S. in Mathematics Education
Steve John, bringing over ten years of experience in SEO content strategy, educational content development, and exam preparation. He specializes in creating clear, comprehensive, and search-optimized learning resources that help candidates prepare for certification and teacher licensure exams, including Praxis, GACE, and other educator assessments.
Reviewed by
Sarah Mitchell
Exam Strategy & Praxis Core Specialist, M.A. Literacy Education, B.S. Elementary Education
Sarah Mitchell brings 15 years of experience in literacy education and exam preparation. As a former literacy coach and Praxis Core specialist, she has helped over 1,000 candidates master the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics domains. Her expertise in test-taking strategies and comprehensive exam analysis makes her an invaluable resource for any educator.