How to Apply

Testing Requirements

Testing is a requirement for participation in the Baltimore City Teaching Residency; however, passing scores  are not part of our initial application process. Consequently, accepted candidates will be required to submit passing scores on Praxis I and II exams (or other qualifying tests) before training begins. Candidates assume all financial responsibility for the required tests which are administered through Educational Testing Services, www.ets.org.

When registering for these tests, please make sure you add the Baltimore City Teaching Residency (R5132) and the Maryland State Department of Education (R7403) as score recipients.

Praxis I (or exempting test*)

All BCTR Residents are required to submit passing Praxis I scores before the start of training*. Praxis I is a general skills test which has three parts: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. To pass the test, candidates may meet the minimum score for each individual section OR may meet the minimum composite score. The Praxis I can be taken as a computer-based test, which is offered most days of the week at local testing centers.

The required minimum scores in Maryland are:

* In place of Praxis I, Maryland will accept the following options from candidates:
SAT taken after 2005, combined math and critical reading scores of 1100;
SAT taken between 4/95 and 2005, math and verbal composite score of 1100;
SAT taken prior to 4/95, math and verbal score of 1000;
ACT composite score of 24;
GRE math and verbal composite score of 1000. 

Candidates need to provide documentation of these scores at their Pre-Employment Days (in lieu of Praxis I scores). Score reports can be requested through several methods, all of which can be found on the following websites:

www.collegeboard.com (SATs)
www.act.org (ACTs)
www.ets.org/gre (GRE)

Praxis II (General Education Only)

The Praxis II exam is content specific and, for most content areas, is composed of two tests: Content Knowledge and Pedagogy. Generally speaking, BCTR candidates must provide passing scores for the Content Knowledge portion of the Praxis II test in their assigned content area prior to training*. The table below outlines the specific tests that Residents are required to take prior to training; please note that for most subject areas there is additional testing required (the Praxis II Pedagogy) during the first 18 months in the classroom.

* Art and Music candidates take TWO (2) Praxis II tests prior to training.

Praxis II (Special Education Only)

Because Special Educators are dually certified, they must pass two sets of Praxis II exams: one for Special Education, and one for their secondary content area (either English or Elementary Education.) HOWEVER, Special Education candidates do NOT need to take the Special Education Praxis II test prior to training; the BCTR does not assume applicants have prior special education knowledge.   

Program staff will communicate specific Special Education testing timelines to Special Education Residents, but typically, the Special Education Praxis II test is taken in the summer after the first year in the classroom, and the English or Elementary pedagogy test is taken during the second year in the classroom.

Although not an initial application requirement, the Baltimore City Teaching Residency strongly encourages you to register to take all three portions of the Praxis I exam as a computer-based test as soon as possible by logging on to www.ets.org. Please make sure you add the Baltimore City Teaching Residency (R5132) and the Maryland State Department of Education (R7403) as score recipients.   

We also suggest taking the Praxis II Content Knowledge exams required for your subject area early, as many candidates and Resident Teachers, even those with significant content knowledge, find the exams challenging. Earlier test administrations may allow candidates to retake examinations before passing documentation is required by the Baltimore City Teaching Residency.

All candidates accepted into the program will be required to produce passing scores on all required tests before beginning Institute training.

Registration for the Praxis Series exam is handled through ETS.  Please visit www.ets.org to register online for a test and for more information about the Praxis exam. Additionally, please make sure you add the Baltimore City Teaching Residency (R5132) and the Maryland State Department of Education (R7403) as score recipients.

Praxis Preparation Resources

The websites below offer discounted rates for Praxis preparation materials.  Please click on the links to find out more information.

• www.PraxisMath.com
• www.PraxisReading.com
• www.PraxisWriting.com
• www.PraxisHighSchoolMath.com
• www.Praxismathexam.com
• www.Fundamentalsubjects.com