30 minutes
Prepare for New Mexico Teacher License Tests
Your complete guide to testing. Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Your complete guide to testing. Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Your complete guide to testing. Learn about the exams you need to take and how to prepare.
Before earning a teaching license in New Mexico, you’ll need to show that you’re ready to teach your grade level and subject area. That may mean you need to pass certain tests or submit a special portfolio for review—or both! If that stresses you out, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and we’re here to help.
As of May 2024, testing requirements for new teachers changed. If you plan to teach elementary education or special education, you’ll need to take a Praxis exam in your teaching subject. For other subject areas, you may be able to submit a teaching portfolio instead of taking the Praxis. We’ll go over all of that on this page!
If you have any questions about your teaching program applications, reach out to a TEACH New Mexico coach or admissions staff for support. We’re here for you!
Jump to:
If you’re planning to teach elementary education or special education, you’ll have some Praxis testing requirements.
Teaching the youngest and most vulnerable New Mexicans requires specialized knowledge and skills. It’s incredibly important and rewarding work! To make sure you are well prepared, these teaching licenses require these specific Praxis exams:
For all other subjects and grades, the Praxis exam is no longer required to become a licensed teacher in New Mexico. Instead, you’ll submit a portfolio of work from your teaching program.
Wondering how to prepare for the Praxis? We’ll go over test strategies and resources further down on this page!
In a nutshell, a portfolio-based assessment is a collection of documents or “artifacts” that show off your teaching skills—such as lesson plans, student work or even video of you in action in the classroom.
Submitting a portfolio means you’ll be assessed on more than just answers to standardized test questions. You’ll get to show your creativity, personality and passion for your subject!
You’ll develop your portfolio as part of your teaching program. Your portfolio will likely include:
Want all the details? The New Mexico Public Education Department provides the full framework for the portfolio. But you can feel confident that your teaching program will guide you through this!
State tests are required for your specialty—but remember, your scores don’t necessarily reflect the kind of teacher you will be. Tests like the Praxis are just one more step on your way to teaching. You’re on a mission, and you’ve got this!
You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Make a schedule to stay on track. Keep in mind:
Once you know these important dates, we recommend adding in at least an extra week or two of cushion. That way, if your test is rescheduled or your testing equipment isn’t working, you won’t be scrambling to take the test in time.
On the Praxis website:
Once you’ve registered, list everything you need to do between now and your test day.
Make a study schedule that includes time to:
There are study guides to help you prepare whichever test you're taking. Some come directly from test-makers, while others come from other educational organizations and universities. We’ll share a few resources here.
Free test materials
Praxis also provides full-length practice tests for $24.95. There are practice tests for both the elementary education and special education exams. Each practice test includes:
Study.com is an official Praxis test-prep partner that offers comprehensive exam resources for $240, including:
Passage Preparation provides an inclusive approach to test preparation, offering a clear understanding of test content through $30 courses. The courses are online and self-paced, and cover content that aligns with actual New Mexico licensure assessments.
Get free test prep! The New Mexico Region 9 Education Cooperative offers an immediate voucher for use on Passage Preparation. Register here.
Remember to take care of yourself before your test:
You will receive your Praxis score on your account along with an email notification. If you haven’t received your score yet, you can also visit this website. It will ask you to select the exam you took and your test date.
On the specified score report date, your Praxis test score will be automatically sent to the New Mexico-based institution or agency you selected during registration.
If you need to retake the Praxis exam, don’t panic! It happens. You will need to wait 28 days before registering to retake the exam. You can take the Praxis until you get the score you want!
Applications have a lot of steps, and we’re here to support you with all of them.
Check out more FREE tools to simplify the process.
Before earning a teaching license in New Mexico, you’ll need to show that you’re ready to teach your grade level and subject area. That may mean you need to pass certain tests or submit a special portfolio for review—or both! If that stresses you out, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and we’re here to help.
As of May 2024, testing requirements for new teachers changed. If you plan to teach elementary education or special education, you’ll need to take a Praxis exam in your teaching subject. For other subject areas, you may be able to submit a teaching portfolio instead of taking the Praxis. We’ll go over all of that on this page!
If you have any questions about your teaching program applications, reach out to a TEACH New Mexico coach or admissions staff for support. We’re here for you!
Jump to:
If you’re planning to teach elementary education or special education, you’ll have some Praxis testing requirements.
Teaching the youngest and most vulnerable New Mexicans requires specialized knowledge and skills. It’s incredibly important and rewarding work! To make sure you are well prepared, these teaching licenses require these specific Praxis exams:
For all other subjects and grades, the Praxis exam is no longer required to become a licensed teacher in New Mexico. Instead, you’ll submit a portfolio of work from your teaching program.
Wondering how to prepare for the Praxis? We’ll go over test strategies and resources further down on this page!
In a nutshell, a portfolio-based assessment is a collection of documents or “artifacts” that show off your teaching skills—such as lesson plans, student work or even video of you in action in the classroom.
Submitting a portfolio means you’ll be assessed on more than just answers to standardized test questions. You’ll get to show your creativity, personality and passion for your subject!
You’ll develop your portfolio as part of your teaching program. Your portfolio will likely include:
Want all the details? The New Mexico Public Education Department provides the full framework for the portfolio. But you can feel confident that your teaching program will guide you through this!
State tests are required for your specialty—but remember, your scores don’t necessarily reflect the kind of teacher you will be. Tests like the Praxis are just one more step on your way to teaching. You’re on a mission, and you’ve got this!
You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Make a schedule to stay on track. Keep in mind:
Once you know these important dates, we recommend adding in at least an extra week or two of cushion. That way, if your test is rescheduled or your testing equipment isn’t working, you won’t be scrambling to take the test in time.
On the Praxis website:
Once you’ve registered, list everything you need to do between now and your test day.
Make a study schedule that includes time to:
There are study guides to help you prepare whichever test you're taking. Some come directly from test-makers, while others come from other educational organizations and universities. We’ll share a few resources here.
Free test materials
Praxis also provides full-length practice tests for $24.95. There are practice tests for both the elementary education and special education exams. Each practice test includes:
Study.com is an official Praxis test-prep partner that offers comprehensive exam resources for $240, including:
Passage Preparation provides an inclusive approach to test preparation, offering a clear understanding of test content through $30 courses. The courses are online and self-paced, and cover content that aligns with actual New Mexico licensure assessments.
Get free test prep! The New Mexico Region 9 Education Cooperative offers an immediate voucher for use on Passage Preparation. Register here.
Remember to take care of yourself before your test:
You will receive your Praxis score on your account along with an email notification. If you haven’t received your score yet, you can also visit this website. It will ask you to select the exam you took and your test date.
On the specified score report date, your Praxis test score will be automatically sent to the New Mexico-based institution or agency you selected during registration.
If you need to retake the Praxis exam, don’t panic! It happens. You will need to wait 28 days before registering to retake the exam. You can take the Praxis until you get the score you want!
Applications have a lot of steps, and we’re here to support you with all of them.
Check out more FREE tools to simplify the process.