45 minutes
Prepare for SC Certification Tests
Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Before you can teach in South Carolina, you’ll need to pass some tests. If testing stresses you out, you’re definitely not alone. We’re here to help you find the right tools to ace your exams.
For South Carolina teachers, the most relevant tests will be the core skills test, the subject area assessment and the pedagogy assessment. These show that you know three things: Core math and language skills, the subject you want to teach and key teaching methods.
We’ll go over each test in detail—what they cover, who they’re for and what resources can help you prepare.
If you have any questions about your teaching program applications, reach out to a TeachSC coach or admissions staff for support. We’re here for you!
The core skills assessment is an exam you’ll take before you start an undergraduate teaching program. You do not need to take a core skills test if you already have a bachelor’s degree (but your program may require another assessment, such as the GRE).
When you apply to a teaching program as an undergrad, you’ll need to submit scores from an approved test that covers basic skills in reading, writing, math and social studies. You may have already taken this exam—the ACT and SAT count!
If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT, or if you need a higher score, you can also take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam.
The chart below shows the required scores for each core skills test option. Remember, if you meet the passing score for either the SAT or ACT, you do not need to take the Praxis Core!
Test |
Passing Score |
ACT |
Combined score of 22 For a combined score of less than 22:
|
SAT |
Combined score of 1100 For a combined score of less than 1100:
|
Praxis Core |
Combined score of 464 Passing scores for each subtest:
|
Usually, you’ll need to include your core skills scores with your teaching program application—so you’ll need to take the test before you apply.
Some programs only require you to be scheduled to take the test when you send your application. Check with your program to find out their specific testing rules.
To get certified to teach in South Carolina, you’ll need to pass an exam in your content area. This is to show that you know your subject matter well enough to teach it.
In South Carolina, the most common subject area assessments are:
Your subject area exam will depend on the subject you plan to teach. Visit the SC Department of Education’s Required Certification Assessments page to see a full list of subject exams and passing scores for each.
Some subject areas require multiple tests, including elementary education and special education. Others, such as certain world languages, offer a choice between two different exam options.
The timing of your subject area test will depend on your certification program. If you’re completing a combined bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, you’ll usually take your exam while you’re enrolled in your program.
Some graduate-level programs require you to sign up for the test during the application process.
Check with your program to confirm when you need to take your subject area exam.
The pedagogy assessment is a test to show that you have the teaching skills to lead your own classroom.
South Carolina has three options for the pedagogy assessment:
In general, your teaching pathway will determine which pedagogy assessment you take and when you take it. If you’re in a standard teaching program, your pedagogy assessment will probably be either the PPAT or edTPA.
If you’re pursuing an alternative certification pathway, you’ll most likely take the Principles of Learning and Teaching exam, or PLT. (Learn more about the differences between standard and alternative certification programs in our Teaching Certificate Program Eligibility Guide.)
Student support staff, such as school counselors or librarians, don’t need to take a pedagogy assessment.
If you’re pursuing an alternative certification pathway or if you’re an out-of-state educator, you may not need a pedagogy assessment for your first teaching certificate. However, you may need to pass the pedagogy assessment to advance to a Professional certificate.
The Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam is the most common pedagogy assessment in South Carolina. The PLT is a written test that covers topics like human development, teaching diverse learners, lesson planning and classroom management.
The PLT is different for each grade level, so the specific PLT you take will depend on the age group you plan to teach.
The Praxis Test Requirements page lists all PLT options, as well as passing scores for each.
If you don’t take the PLT, you’ll complete either the PPAT or edTPA. Like we mentioned earlier, these assessments are for teacher candidates in a standard teaching program (not an alternative certification pathway).
These aren’t your typical tests—no multiple choice questions here. Instead, during your student teaching experience, you’ll create a portfolio that summarizes what you’ve learned in your teaching program and how you’ve developed as an educator so far.
Your portfolio will include “teaching materials and artifacts,” such as:
You can learn more about specific requirements at the edTPA and PPAT links above.
Highly trained educators or portfolio raters will score your portfolio. Raters use detailed rubrics to evaluate your teaching.
Rubric scores represent a continuum from “not quite ready to teach” to “advanced beginning teacher.” Each rubric level shows an expanding repertoire of teaching skills, strategies and rationale.
Visit the PPAT How Tasks are Scored page or edTPA’s candidate support resource for more information about scoring.
You can learn more about South Carolina’s portfolio score requirements at the South Carolina edTPA page or the PPAT Scores page.
You won’t complete the pedagogy assessment until the end of your teaching program—but it’s good to know about this requirement in advance!
You don’t have to prepare for the pedagogy assessment before you apply to your teaching program, but you may want to research how your prospective programs will help you prepare for this assessment.
If you’re certified to teach in another state, the South Carolina Department of Education will need to review your credentials. You’ll need to submit transcripts and other documentation, including any previous test score reports.
If you’ve already taken a subject area and pedagogy assessment in another state, you may not need to take another test.
Visit the SC Department of Education Out-of-State Educators page for more details. You’ll find information about the certification process, as well as checklists to apply for a South Carolina teaching certificate.
State tests are required—but remember, your scores don’t necessarily reflect the kind of teacher you will be. Tests like the subject area and pedagogy assessment are just one more step on your way to teaching, and you can take them more than once.
You’re on a mission, and you’ve got this!
You’ve worked hard to get where you are. You’ve put together an amazing application, and you’re pretty sure you aced your teaching exam. But just as you’re submitting your materials to your program, you find out that your test scores won’t be available until after the application deadline.
Don’t let this happen to you! Making a test schedule can save you application frustration and stress later on. You’ll want to know:
Once you know these important dates, we recommend adding in at least an extra week or two of cushion. That way, if your test is rescheduled or your testing equipment isn’t working, you won’t be scrambling to take the test in time.
After you register for your test, you can work backward: Figure out how much time you have between now and your testing date. Then, make yourself a study schedule that maps out how and when you’ll study for your exam (more on that in Step 4!)
Check with your teaching program to find out when you need to have taken and passed the subject area exam, and to verify which tests you’ll take.
If you’re taking a Praxis test, head over to the Praxis registration page. There, you will:
If you’re taking an ACTFL test, you’ll register for your exam through Language Testing International. On the registration page, you will:
If you’re completing edTPA for your pedagogy assessment, you’ll do that through the edTPA website. edTPA’s Registration Overview resource has full instructions to register and complete your portfolio. The edTPA fee is $300. (edTPA is an option for teacher candidates in a standard teaching program, rather than alternative certification.)
Due to Covid-19, most test-makers now offer a “test from home” option. This lets you take your exam online through a secure portal or proctoring service.
Praxis online: You can register to take your Praxis at home through your Praxis account. Visit the Praxis At Home Testing page to see which Praxis exams are available for at home testing and what equipment you’ll need.
ACTFL online: You can choose a remote proctoring service when you register for your exam. When you get to the test scheduling page, click the web-based proctoring option.
All exams have options to request special accommodations, such as alternative testing locations or extra time. Learn more about available accommodations and how to request them for each exam:
Make sure you schedule your exam far enough out so that your accommodations request can get processed. Depending on the exam, this extra processing time can be anywhere from ten days to six weeks.
Once you’ve registered, make a list of everything you need to do between now and your test day.
Whichever test you’re taking, there are study guides to help you prepare. Some come directly from test-makers, while others come from other educational organizations and universities.
We’ll share a few resources here.
Before you purchase any test prep materials, check with your program to see if any discount codes are available for your test prep option of choice.
You also have numerous test prep options from third-party companies. Here are a few suggestions to get started. While we have not personally vetted all of these resources, you may find them useful in your test preparation.
Before you purchase any test prep materials, check with your program to see if any discount codes are available for your test prep option of choice.
TeachSC offers $100 in reimbursement for any fees that are required for you to apply and enroll in a teaching program. That could include test registration fees and prep materials for the Praxis Core or your subject area exam! (Reimbursements do not include tests that you take after you’ve enrolled.) Visit the TeachSC Fee Reimbursements page to learn more.
You’ve registered, studied and taken practice tests—and you’re ready for your exam!
Remember to take care of yourself before your test:
Some of the suggestions above, such as getting enough sleep and eating a good breakfast, are important for at-home testing as well. You can also consider these at-home testing tips:
If you’re testing from home, try setting up your exam space the way it will look on test day, and use it to take practice tests! If you’re studying in your test environment, it can help you recall information when it’s time to take the test for real.
Score availability will depend on which exam you take and when you take it.
When you register for your exam, you can request that your scores get sent to your teaching program and the SC Department of Education. The Department of Education will need your test scores to evaluate you for certification.
Visit the Department of Education’s Certification Assessments page to find links to submit official score reports for each exam.
You may also need to report your scores on your program application itself. (Your application checklist has a step for submitting scores!)
Applications have a lot of steps, and we’re here to support you with all of them.
Check out more FREE tools to simplify the process.