Maryland edTPA Transition — 110 days remaining
PLT 5624 is accepted in Maryland until August 31, 2026. Beginning September 1, 2026, edTPA is the only accepted pedagogy assessment.
Praxis 5624
PLT: Grades 7–12
Maryland Passing Score
157
MSDE Score Code
7403
Retake Wait
28 days
Score Valid
10 years
Exam Domain Breakdown
10 Free Practice Questions
Question 1 · Students as Learners
A teacher gives a sticker every time students turn in homework on time. In behavioral terms, the sticker is functioning as:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Positive reinforcement: adding a desirable stimulus (sticker) after a behavior to increase its frequency.
Question 2 · Students as Learners
A teacher asks students to name the three branches of the U.S. government. This targets which level of Bloom's revised taxonomy?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Remembering (lowest Bloom's level): recalling or recognizing facts and basic concepts.
Question 3 · Students as Learners
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory holds that higher-order thinking develops primarily through:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Vygotsky: cognitive development is fundamentally social, emerging through interaction, language, and collaboration with capable others.
Question 4 · Students as Learners
A teacher tells a struggling student, 'Your brain gets stronger every time you work through a hard problem.' This aligns with:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Growth mindset (Dweck): framing difficulty as evidence of brain growth promotes persistence and shifts students from fixed-ability thinking.
Question 5 · Students as Learners
A third-grade teacher observes that students can classify objects by multiple attributes and understand conservation, but struggle with abstract hypothetical reasoning. Which Piagetian stage does this reflect?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Concrete Operational (ages 7–11): children master conservation and classification but cannot yet reason abstractly.
Question 6 · Students as Learners
A teacher designs lessons where students construct understanding through hands-on exploration rather than passive reception. This philosophy is rooted in:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Constructivism (Piaget, Vygotsky): learners actively build knowledge by connecting new experiences to prior understanding.
Question 7 · Students as Learners
A teacher provides sentence frames to ELL students, then gradually removes them as proficiency grows. This technique is called:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Scaffolding is temporary structured support that is systematically removed as the learner develops independence (Vygotsky).
Question 8 · Students as Learners
A 15-year-old can systematically test hypotheses and consider multiple possible outcomes in a science experiment. This indicates she has reached Piaget's:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Formal Operational stage (age 11+): abstract, hypothetical-deductive reasoning becomes possible.
Question 9 · Students as Learners
A student can solve a math problem with teacher hints but not independently. Vygotsky's term for this gap between assisted and unassisted performance is the:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
The ZPD is the range of tasks achievable with guidance but not yet independently—the optimal instructional target.
Question 10 · Students as Learners
A student excels at composing and performing music but reads significantly below grade level. Gardner's theory explains this through:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Explanation
Gardner's Multiple Intelligences: musical ability is a distinct intelligence, independent of linguistic or logical-mathematical ability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland passing score for Praxis 5624?
The Maryland passing score for the Praxis 5624 (PLT: Grades 7–12) 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 5624?
Maryland requires a 28-day wait between Praxis 5624 attempts. This wait applies regardless of your score. Plan your test dates accordingly.
How many questions are on the Praxis 5624?
The Praxis 5624 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 5624 cover?
The Praxis 5624 covers Students as Learners (22.5%), Instructional Process (22.5%), Assessment (15%), Professional Development, Leadership, and Community (17.5%), Analysis of Instruction (22.5%).
How long are Praxis 5624 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 5624?
No on-screen calculator is provided for the Praxis 5624.
Is edTPA replacing PLT 5624 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 5624 or edTPA?
If you are testing before September 1, 2026, the PLT 5624 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 5624?
Yes. PraxisPass is the only platform that tells you exactly when to book your exam. When your Pass Probability Score (PPS) for the 5624 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 5624?
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 5624. The Individual plan at $19/month unlocks unlimited study sessions across all 50+ Maryland Praxis exams.