The Praxis Core Math test is officially called Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733). It is designed for prospective educators and measures the math skills needed for teacher preparation and professional classroom work. If you are asking what is on the test, the short answer is: number sense, ratios, percents, data, statistics, probability, algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning.
According to the ETS Praxis Mathematics 5733 Study Companion, the test is computer delivered, lasts 90 minutes, and contains 56 questions. The test includes selected-response questions with one answer, selected-response questions with one or more answers, and numeric-entry questions. ETS also states that an on-screen four-function calculator is provided.
ViewMath is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS or Praxis. Always verify current exam details at the official ETS Praxis 5733 Study Companion.
Praxis Core Math Format
| Feature | Current official detail |
|---|---|
| Test code | 5733 |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Questions | 56 total, including possible unscored pretest questions |
| Question types | Selected response and numeric entry |
| Calculator | On-screen four-function calculator |
| Delivery | Computer delivered |
Content Area 1: Number and Quantity
ETS lists Number and Quantity as about 20 questions, or about 36% of the exam. This is the largest category. It includes integers, decimals, fractions, ratios, proportions, percents, constant rates, place value, ordering numbers, whole-number properties, units, and measurement.
Examples of what to practice:
- Convert 0.375 to a fraction.
- Find 15% of 240.
- Solve a ratio problem with three quantities.
- Convert inches to feet or centimeters to meters.
- Identify a counterexample to a number statement.
Content Area 2: Data, Statistics, and Probability
ETS lists Data Interpretation and Representation, Statistics, and Probability as about 18 questions, or about 32% of the exam. This category is often underestimated because candidates think “math” means only equations. On Praxis Core Math, reading graphs and interpreting data can matter just as much.
Review these skills:
- Read tables, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, boxplots, and scatterplots.
- Find and interpret mean, median, mode, and range.
- Use sample data to make reasonable inferences.
- Identify positive and negative association in scatterplots.
- Compute simple probability.
- Distinguish correlation from causation.
Content Area 3: Algebra and Geometry
ETS lists Algebra and Geometry as about 18 questions, or about 32% of the exam. Algebra questions may ask you to simplify expressions, follow a procedure, solve equations, interpret word problems, or generate equivalent expressions. Geometry questions may ask about angles, shapes, congruence, similarity, perimeter, circumference, area, and volume.
Key formulas and skills:
- Area of a rectangle: A = lw.
- Area of a triangle: A = bh/2.
- Area of a circle: A = pi r^2.
- Circumference of a circle: C = 2pi r.
- Volume of a rectangular box: V = lwh.
- Solve equations such as 4x – 9 = 23.
- Use properties of angles and parallel lines.
Mini Practice Set
1. A student answered 42 questions correctly out of 60. What percent did the student answer correctly?
2. The mean of 8, 10, 14, and x is 12. Find x.
3. Solve 5x + 6 = 41.
4. A rectangle has length 11 and width 7. What is its area?
5. A bag contains 5 green tiles and 15 yellow tiles. What is the probability of selecting a green tile?
6. A line on a scatterplot slopes downward from left to right. Is the association positive or negative?
Answers
1. 42/60 = 0.70, so 70%. 2. Total needed = 12 x 4 = 48. Since 8 + 10 + 14 = 32, x = 16. 3. 5x = 35, so x = 7. 4. 77 square units. 5. 5/20 = 1/4. 6. Negative association.
30-Day Praxis Core Math Prep Plan
| Days | Focus | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Diagnostic and official topic list | Identify weakest content area |
| 4-10 | Number and Quantity | Repair fractions, percents, ratios, and units |
| 11-17 | Data, statistics, probability | Build graph-reading and probability fluency |
| 18-24 | Algebra and Geometry | Review equations, formulas, area, and volume |
| 25-30 | Timed mixed practice | Improve pacing and error correction |
Common Mistakes
- Ignoring data questions: The data/statistics/probability category is about one-third of the exam.
- Relying too much on the calculator: The on-screen calculator helps, but it does not choose the setup for you.
- Memorizing formulas without context: Know when to use area, circumference, perimeter, and volume.
- Skipping numeric-entry practice: These questions do not always offer answer choices to back-solve from.
How to Practice Each Question Type
For selected-response questions, avoid picking an answer too early. Estimate first, solve, and then compare to the choices. If two choices are close, check units and signs. For multiple-answer questions, test every statement separately instead of stopping when the first correct statement appears.
For numeric-entry questions, write your answer in the requested form. If the question asks for a decimal, do not enter a fraction. If it asks for an exact value, avoid unnecessary rounding. Practice without answer choices at least twice per week so you do not become dependent on back-solving.
What to Do After a Low Diagnostic Score
A low score is useful if it tells you what to study. Sort missed questions by the three ETS content areas. If one area is clearly lowest, spend a week there before taking another mixed set. If misses are evenly spread, start with Number and Quantity because fractions, ratios, percents, and units support many other Praxis Core Math questions.
Use ViewMath Praxis Core Math resources for targeted review, then compare your progress against the official ETS topic list. The best prep cycle is simple: diagnose, study the weakest category, practice mixed questions, and correct every missed problem with a written reason.
