Maryland edTPA Transition — 18 days remaining
PLT 5621 is accepted in Maryland until August 31, 2026. Beginning September 1, 2026, edTPA is the only accepted pedagogy assessment. Book your PLT exam now or begin edTPA preparation.
Praxis 5621
PLT: Early Childhood
Maryland Passing Score
157
MSDE Score Code
7403
Retake Wait
28 days
Score Valid
10 years
10 Free Practice Questions
Question 1 · Students as Learners
Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences. Which of the following intelligences refers to a child's ability to understand and interact effectively with other people?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Interpersonal intelligence involves the capacity to understand and interact effectively with others, including sensitivity to moods, motivations, and intentions. A (Intrapersonal intelligence) refers to self-understanding and awareness of one's own emotions and motivations, directed inward rather than toward others. B (Logical-mathematical intelligence) involves reasoning, problem-solving, and numerical skills. D (Linguistic intelligence) involves proficiency with language, writing, reading, and verbal expression.
Question 2 · Students as Learners
During the early childhood years, children's language development follows a predictable sequence. What is the term for the one- or two-word utterances that toddlers typically use to communicate whole ideas or sentences?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
A holophrase is a single word used by a young child to convey a complete thought or sentence (e.g., 'milk' meaning 'I want milk'). A (Babbling) is the pre-linguistic stage of repeated consonant-vowel sounds (e.g., 'bababa') that precedes actual word production. B (Telegraphic speech) refers to the two-word utterances that follow holophrases (e.g., 'more juice'), containing only key content words. D (Overgeneralization) occurs when children apply grammatical rules too broadly (e.g., saying 'goed' instead of 'went').
Question 3 · Students as Learners
In the context of attachment theory developed by John Bowlby and later expanded by Mary Ainsworth, which attachment pattern describes infants who are consistently distressed when caregivers leave and easily comforted when they return?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Securely attached infants show distress at separation but are quickly soothed upon reunion, reflecting trust in the caregiver's availability. A (Avoidant attachment) describes infants who show little distress at separation and ignore or avoid the caregiver upon return. C (Disorganized attachment) is characterized by inconsistent, confused behavior without a clear coping strategy, often associated with frightening caregiving. D (Ambivalent/anxious attachment) describes infants who show extreme distress at separation but are not easily comforted when the caregiver returns, displaying both clinging and resistance.
Question 4 · Students as Learners
Which term refers to the process by which children incorporate new information into their existing mental frameworks or schemas, as described by Jean Piaget?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Assimilation is when a child applies an existing schema to interpret new experiences (e.g., calling all four-legged animals 'dog'). A (Accommodation) is when a child modifies an existing schema or creates a new one in response to new information that doesn't fit the current schema. B (Equilibration) is the balancing process between assimilation and accommodation that drives cognitive development. D (Conservation) is the understanding that quantity does not change despite changes in appearance, not a process of schema use.
Question 5 · Students as Learners
In early childhood education, the term 'scaffolding' was derived from Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. Which of the following best describes scaffolding in a classroom context?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Scaffolding involves offering support that is gradually reduced as the child gains competence, helping them work within their ZPD. A describes a discovery or inquiry approach that lacks adult support, which is not scaffolding. C (ability grouping) is an instructional strategy unrelated to the concept of scaffolding. D (uniform task assignment) ignores differentiation and does not align with the individualized nature of scaffolding.
Question 6 · Students as Learners
Which type of play, identified by Mildred Parten, involves children playing near one another but engaging in separate activities without direct interaction or sharing of goals?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Parallel play involves children playing side by side using similar materials but independently, without coordinating their activities. A (Cooperative play) involves organized play with shared goals, roles, and rules among children. B (Solitary play) is when a child plays completely alone, away from other children, with no awareness of or interest in nearby peers. D (Onlooker play) is when a child watches others play but does not join in.
Question 7 · Students as Learners
The concept of 'object permanence' is a key milestone in infant cognitive development. Object permanence refers to a child's understanding of which of the following?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Object permanence, achieved during the sensorimotor stage, is the knowledge that objects continue to exist even when out of sight, which is fundamental to memory and later symbolic thought. A describes conservation, a Piagetian concept belonging to the concrete operational stage. C describes symbolic representation, which develops in the preoperational stage. D describes classification skills, also associated with concrete operational thinking.
Question 8 · Students as Learners
Carol Dweck's research on motivation introduced the concept of mindset. A child who believes that intelligence and abilities are fixed traits that cannot change significantly is said to have which type of mindset?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
A fixed mindset is the belief that talents and intelligence are innate and static, leading children to avoid challenges for fear of revealing inadequacy. A (Growth mindset) is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning, which is the contrasting concept. B (Intrinsic mindset) is not a term used in Dweck's framework; intrinsic motivation is a separate concept from self-determination theory. D (Mastery mindset) relates to a goal orientation theory focused on learning for its own sake, distinct from Dweck's fixed vs. growth framework.
Question 9 · Students as Learners
Children's social-emotional learning includes developing self-regulation. Which of the following definitions best describes self-regulation in young children?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Self-regulation refers to the executive function and emotional skills that allow children to control impulses, manage feelings, and stay on task. A (early literacy) describes an academic skill, not a social-emotional competency. C (gender-based peer preference) is a social development pattern unrelated to self-regulation. D (copying adult behavior) relates to Bandura's observational learning and modeling, not self-regulation.
Question 10 · Students as Learners
Albert Bandura's social learning theory emphasizes that children learn by watching others. What term did Bandura use to describe the process of learning by observing and imitating models?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Observational learning (also called modeling or vicarious learning) is the foundation of Bandura's social learning theory, where individuals learn behaviors by watching others and noting consequences. A (Classical conditioning) is Pavlov's theory of associating stimuli to produce a response, not related to Bandura's work. B (Scaffolding) is Vygotsky's concept of providing temporary support to help learners achieve within their ZPD. D (Metacognition) refers to thinking about one's own thinking processes, not related to Bandura's observational learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland passing score for Praxis 5621?
The Maryland passing score for the Praxis 5621 (PLT: Early Childhood) is 157. This is set by MSDE and differs from other states. Always verify current requirements at msde.maryland.gov.
What is the MSDE score recipient code for Maryland?
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) score recipient code is 7403. Select this code at every Praxis registration to have your scores sent directly to MSDE for licensure processing.
How long do I have to wait to retake the Praxis 5621?
Maryland requires a 28-day wait between Praxis 5621 attempts. This wait applies regardless of your score. Plan your test dates accordingly.
How many questions are on the Praxis 5621?
The Praxis 5621 contains 120 selected-response questions plus 2 constructed-response items (for PLT exams). You have 2 hours to complete the exam.
What domains does the Praxis 5621 cover?
The Praxis 5621 covers content knowledge specific to PLT: Early Childhood. See the official ETS test framework for the complete domain breakdown.
How long are Praxis 5621 scores valid in Maryland?
Praxis scores are valid for 10 years from the test date in Maryland. Scores do not expire for the purposes of Maryland teacher certification within this window.
Can I use a calculator on the Praxis 5621?
No on-screen calculator is provided for the Praxis 5621.
Is edTPA replacing PLT 5621 in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland is transitioning from PLT to edTPA. Until August 31, 2026, either PLT or edTPA is accepted. Beginning September 1, 2026, edTPA is the only acceptable pedagogy assessment in Maryland. If you have not yet passed the PLT, plan to take it before September 1, 2026, or begin edTPA preparation now.
Should I take PLT 5621 or edTPA?
If you are testing before September 1, 2026, the PLT 5621 is faster to prepare for and has a lower cost. If you are not testing before September 1, 2026, you must prepare for edTPA. PraxisPass supports both — your ERS dashboard will guide you based on your timeline.
Does PraxisPass tell me when I'm ready to book the Praxis 5621?
Yes. PraxisPass is the only platform that tells you exactly when to book your exam. When your Pass Probability Score (PPS) for the 5621 reaches 90%, sustained over 7 consecutive days with 2 passing mock exams, PraxisPass declares you ready and prompts you to schedule.
Is PraxisPass free to use for the Praxis 5621?
PraxisPass offers a permanent free tier that includes your Exam Readiness Score diagnostic, Pass Probability Score baseline, and your first complete 25-minute study mission for the 5621. The Individual plan at $19/month unlocks unlimited study sessions across all 50+ Maryland Praxis exams.