Those who are interested in a career in music education at any grade level will need to take the Praxis Music Content Knowledge Exam as part of the licensing and certification process. The test will measure a candidate’s competency and skills in music history, literature, theory, practice, and instruction.
When Can I Register for the Praxis Music Content Knowledge Exam?
Praxis II Music: Content Knowledge (5113) Study Guide and Flashcards
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The test is offered continuously throughout the year at testing centers located across the country. So you can register whenever you want to. However, seats are given on a first come, first serve basis so it’s important to register as early as possible to make sure you get the date, time, and location that you prefer. If possible, try to register about 6 to 8 weeks in advance. This will also give you plenty of time to review the material and prepare for the exam.
What Will I Be Tested on?
The exam covers four content areas within the field of music knowledge and about half of the questions in each section will involve listening to recorded musical excerpts while the other half will just be normal multiple choice questions. Take a look at the brief outline of the exam below:
- Music History and Literature – 9 listening questions, 9 regular questions
- The history of major developments, styles, and periods in music
- The style of a variety of world music styles and their function in their cultures of origin
- Various sources of printed and electronic information on music history and literature
- Theory and Composition – 9 listening questions, 10 regular questions
- Auditory analysis of music
- Recognition of melody, harmony, and rhythm
- How musical sounds vary
- Interpretation and analysis of music in written form
- Application of basic music theory concepts for composition, orchestration, and arranging instrumental and vocal parts
- Performance – 12 listening questions, 15 regular questions
- Critical listening skills
- Ability to identify errors
- Basic conducting techniques
- Interpretation of notation and expressive elements of performance
- Score markings and style periods
- Basic accompaniment techniques
- Strategies for preparing musical scores for rehearsal and performance
- Instrumental and choral/vocal warm-up techniques
- Instrumental and choral/vocal tuning and intonation techniques
- Concert etiquette for performers and audiences
- Effective techniques for communication with an audience in a performance setting
- Practical relationship between acoustics and performance
- Pedagogy, Professional Issues, and Technology – 56 regular questions
- Instructional strategies for different class settings
- Local, state, and national standards in planning and instruction
- Classroom management techniqu3es
- Planning and differentiating instruction
- Accommodating diverse learning styles and abilities
- Modifying instruction and accommodating student needs
- Assessment strategies
- Selecting appropriate repertoire for the classroom and for performance ensembles
- Teaching vocal production and performance techniques
- Teaching instrumental techniques
- Common vocal and instrumental performance challenges
- Organizing and preparing concert programming
- Promoting care and maintenance of instruments and materials
- Common pedagogical approaches
- Developing sight-reading skills
- Teaching improvisational techniques
The way the exam is structured, you will first respond to all of the listening questions across all four categories. After you’ve completed that, you will then answer all of the regular questions across all four categories.
What Is the Minimum Passing Score?
Even though this exam is used across almost the entire country, there is no federal standard so each state and territory is responsible for setting its own minimum passing score. What this means for you is that you’ll need to check with the certification board in the state where you want to teach to find out what score you will need to pass.
What’s the Best Way to Prepare for This Test?
To succeed on this exam, you will need to spend a few weeks reviewing music history, literature, theory, and teaching standards. This is a lot to tackle in a short amount of time. So the best way to make sure you cover everything is to get the Mometrix Study Guide and Mometrix Flashcards.
These study aids have been meticulously crafted by a team of experts who know music and especially know the Praxis Music Content Knowledge Exam. So by using the guide and flashcards, you can rest assured that you are getting all of the essential information in a way that is geared to help you both understand and apply it in the way that the test will ask you to.
You’ll get easy to follow explanations, tons of practice questions, studying tips, and proven test taking strategies. By the time test day arrives, you’ll be fully prepared to pass this exam and take the next step toward your career in music education!