Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA)

Basic Skills Requirement Waived Until 2025. Act 55 of 2022 Basic Skills Assessment Moratorium Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022, through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period.

The PAPA includes three modules: Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. You may take one or all three modules at one test appointment. The PAPA series may be passed by meeting or exceeding the established minimum qualifying score on all three modules (see below), or by the Composite Score Option.

Format

Selected-response items and constructed-response assignments

Reading: 36 selected-response items
Mathematics: 36 selected-response items
Writing: 36 selected-response items, 2 sentence correction assignments, and 1 extended-response assignment

Time

CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement: 15 minutes
Reading: 45 minutes testing time
Mathematics: 75 minutes testing time
Writing: 75 minutes testing time

Examinees who take all three modules during a single test session will also have a 15-minute break between each module.

Test Dates

By appointment, year round. Test appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check real-time seat availability Link opens in a new window.

Test Sites

CBT sites are located in Pennsylvania, nationwide, and in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Canada. Locate a test center Link opens in a new window.

Qualifying Score

Performance criterion (cutscore):

Reading: 220
Mathematics: 193
Writing: 220

Reference Materials Provided for this Test

A formulas page will be available during the Mathematics module. Review it now PDF

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A standard on-screen calculator will be available during the Mathematics module. Read more PDF

Test Fee

Reading: $37
Mathematics: $44
Writing: $37
All three modules: $110

Review test fee and payment information.

Score Reporting

Reading and Mathematics modules:

Preliminary test results are provided at the test center at the conclusion of your test session.
Score reports are available within 10 business days after testing.

Writing module: Score reports are available within 20 business days after testing.

Testing Policies

When you register, you must agree to abide by all testing rules and policies. Read them now.

Prepare

View the tutorials and preparation materials available for this test.

Tests may include test questions that are being evaluated for future administrations and that do not affect an examinee's score.

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