What is the passing score for the Praxis 5165?
The passing score for the Praxis Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5165) is set by each state, not by ETS. Most states require a scaled score between 150 and 160 on a 100–200 scale. The raw-score equivalent typically means answering roughly 60–70% of the 60 questions correctly.
How the score is reported
ETS reports your Praxis 5165 result as a scaled score between 100 and 200. The scaling adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between test forms, so two people who took the exam on different days are compared on the same scale. ETS does not set a single passing score — each state's licensure board does that independently.
Common state cut scores (selected examples)
| State | Required scaled score |
|---|---|
| Texas | 160 |
| Pennsylvania | 158 |
| Maryland | 160 |
| Virginia | 160 |
| New Jersey | 160 |
| Indiana | 160 |
| Most other states | 150–160 |
Always confirm with your state's department of education or licensure board. Cut scores are reviewed periodically.
What a passing score actually means
The Praxis 5165 has 60 selected-response and numeric-entry items. Scaled scores aren't a simple percentage — they're computed via Item Response Theory based on the difficulty of the specific questions you saw. As a rough rule, a scaled score of 160 corresponds to answering roughly 40 of 60 items correctly. A 150 corresponds to roughly 35 of 60. Both are within reach for a candidate with a solid undergraduate math background.
How to reach a passing score
The single biggest predictor of passing the Praxis 5165 is targeted practice on your weakest content categories. The exam covers Algebra, Functions, Geometry, Calculus, Number and Quantity, Probability and Statistics, and Discrete Mathematics. Most candidates have one or two of these that need real attention — blanket study burns time on what you already know.
QuantegyAI's adaptive Praxis 5165 prep uses Item Response Theory to place you in each category independently and target the next-most-useful question. Most candidates reach a passing estimate within 4–8 weeks of regular practice.