Praxis 5331 Retake Policy: How Soon Can You Retake?

If you didn't hit 162 on the Praxis 5331, you can retake it — but ETS enforces a mandatory wait and each attempt costs the full exam fee. Here's the exact policy, timing math, and what to change between attempts so the second try isn't a repeat of the first.

The ETS 28-day rule

ETS requires 28 calendar days between Praxis attempts of the same test code. The clock starts on your original test date, not on the day you receive your score report. Because score reports typically post 2–3 weeks after your test, most candidates can register for a retake almost immediately after seeing their score.

• Retake on day 28 or later — day 27 attempts are voided and the fee is forfeited.
• The 28-day rule applies per test code. If you're also taking a different Praxis test, that's unrelated.
• There is no annual cap on total attempts.

Retake cost

The full exam fee is charged for every attempt — currently $146. Score-sending fees for additional state boards ($50 per report) are separate. See the full cost breakdown.

What score reports show for retakes

Each attempt is scored independently. Your official ETS record retains all attempts, but score reports sent to your state board and to ASHA only need to show one passing attempt. State boards do not penalize multiple attempts for licensure — they only need proof you passed once.

ASHA's CCC-SLP application accepts your highest passing score. Multiple attempts do not appear on your CCC-SLP certificate.

Should you retake immediately or wait longer?

• Within 4 weeks — you scored 158–161. Retake fast. The content is fresh; a targeted 3-week weak-topic pass usually crosses the line.
• 6–8 weeks — you scored 150–157. Full study plan needed, not just review. Use the 8-week plan and add at least 3 full-length practice tests.
• 10+ weeks — you scored under 150. A gap this size suggests content gaps, not just test anxiety. Review your program transcript, identify domains you had minimal exposure to, and consider a structured course before retaking.

What to change between attempts

The single biggest predictor of a successful retake is doing something different, not just more of the same. Changes that reliably move scores:

• Diagnose the miss pattern. Was it one domain (usually dysphagia) or spread across all three? Domain-specific misses are easier to fix.
• Switch to a question-first strategy. If your first attempt was content-heavy (rereading textbooks), replace 60% of that with timed practice questions.
• Run at least 3 full-length timed tests before test day. Most retake failures come from pacing collapse in the last 30 questions, not from content gaps.
• Address anxiety directly. If you froze on your first attempt, box breathing + reframing protocols before test day matter as much as content review.

State licensure timeline impact

Retakes typically add 6–10 weeks to your licensure timeline (4 weeks wait + 4 weeks study + 2–3 weeks for the score report). If you have a job offer contingent on licensure, notify your employer as soon as you know you'll need to retake. Most district and hospital HR teams will hold the offer.

If you're two attempts in

Candidates who fail twice usually do so for the same reason each time. Read our full retake playbook — it breaks down the diagnostic questions to ask before your third attempt and when to bring in a tutor.