Logistics · 6 min read
How Many Questions Do You Need to Pass the Praxis 5331?
Passing the Praxis 5331 usually takes about 75–80 correct answers out of 132. Here's how the raw-to-scaled conversion works and what it means for retakers.
Cross-checked against the current ETS Praxis 5331 Speech-Language Pathology Test at a Glance and ASHA CCC-SLP standards.
Quick answer
To pass the Praxis 5331 you generally need roughly 90-100 of the 132 questions correct - about 70-76% - to reach the scaled score of 162. There is no fixed raw cutoff because ETS equates each form, and about 15 unscored pretest items are mixed in.
- Approximately 90-100 correct out of 132
- That is roughly 70-76% raw accuracy
- Exact raw cutoff shifts slightly by form due to equating
One of the first questions after a failed Praxis 5331 is: "How many questions did I miss by?" Understanding the relationship between raw questions, scaled scores, and passing can help you set a realistic retake target instead of guessing.
The 5331 scoring basics
The Praxis 5331 has 132 scored multiple-choice questions. Your raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly. ETS then converts that raw score to a scaled score ranging from approximately 100 to 200, with 162 as the typical passing score for ASHA CCC-SLP and most state licensure boards.
How many questions do you need to answer correctly?
ETS does not publish the exact raw-to-scaled conversion for every test form, but past candidate reports and score data give a reliable estimate. On most forms, a scaled score of 162 corresponds to roughly 75 to 80 correct answers out of 132.
- Passing range: about 75–80 raw questions correct → scaled 162.
- Comfortable pass: about 85–90 raw questions correct → scaled 170+.
- High pass: 95+ raw questions correct → scaled 180+.
The exact number varies by test form because ETS uses statistical equating. Some forms are slightly harder or easier, so the raw cutoff moves up or down a few questions to keep the passing standard consistent.
What does that mean for a retake?
If you scored 158–161 on your first attempt, you were likely only 3 to 6 raw questions away from passing. That is a very small gap. The right move is not to restudy everything — it is to find the 5 to 10 question types you are most likely to convert and drill them.
Where those last few points usually come from
Candidates who miss narrowly typically lose points to a few specific patterns:
- One weak content area. Dysphagia and professional practice are common culprits. Fixing one area can add 4–6 points alone.
- Guessing on the last 15 questions. Pacing mistakes convert easy points into random guesses. Timed practice fixes this.
- Second-guessing. Changing a correct answer to an incorrect one on review can cost 2–3 points. Trust your reasoning unless you have a concrete reason to change.
- Careless item misreads. "Except" and "most appropriate" questions are easy to misread under pressure. Slowing down slightly on those pays off.
Should you aim for a perfect score?
No. A 162 is the same credential as a 192. State boards and ASHA only require a passing score. Your retake strategy should aim for a safe margin — usually 165+ — not for perfection. Over-aiming leads to over-studying and burnout.
Set your retake target
A realistic goal for most retakers is to get 80–85 questions correct. That gives you a buffer above the passing threshold without requiring perfection. Use a practice question bank to track your raw accuracy by content area and adjust your study time accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
- How many questions do you need right to pass the Praxis 5331?
- Roughly 90 to 100 of 132, about 70 to 76 percent, though the exact raw cutoff varies slightly by test form because ETS equates scores.
- Why isn't there a fixed number of correct answers to pass?
- ETS equates forms so a 162 means the same ability level regardless of which set of questions you saw, so slightly easier forms require a few more correct items.
- Do unscored questions count against me?
- No. About 15 pretest items are unscored, but you cannot identify them, so answer every question as if it counts.
- What percentage is a passing Praxis 5331 score?
- A working target is 75 to 80 percent on practice tests, which comfortably clears the 162 cut score on the real exam.
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