PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency Exam (0631)

The PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency exam (0631)is designed for prospective teachers of visually impaired students (TVIs). The test, which last four hours, tests their ability to read and write Braille. It contains two test booklets. The first contains 25 multiple-choice questions that assess the examinee’s ability to read Braille. This section is worth 55.6 percent of the exam score. The second booklet contains four transcription exercises worth 44.4 percent. Not all questions on the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency test count toward the final score.

In order to complete Booklet 2 of the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency exam, test-takers must bring these items with them to the test site on exam day: a manual  braillewriter that accommodates 11.5 x 11-inch Braille paper; a conventional slate and stylus that accommodates 8.5 x 11-inch Braille paper; Braille paper in both sizes. They should also bring a Braille eraser. Extra equipment and/or supplies are not available at the test site, so examinees should make sure that their equipment is in good working order prior to the test date.

Booklet 2 of the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency exam consists of these four exercises in transcription: 1) a Contracted Braille transcription done with slate and stylus; 2) a Contracted Braille transcription completed with a braillewriter; 3) a Nemeth Code transcription created with a braillewriter; and 4) a Nemeth Code accomplished with a braillewriter and completed in response to specific Nemeth Code rules. Test-takers should be careful when completing Booklet 2 of the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency exam to use the equipment specified in the test directions for each exercise. Failure to do so will result in a score of zero for that portion of the exam--no matter how accurate the transcription is.

Exercises in Booklet 2 of the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency exam are graded on a 0-4 scale. A slate and stylus Contracted Braille transcription with 3 or fewer mistakes receives a 4. Those with 4-7 errors earn a 3, 8-11 a 2, and 12 or more a 1. Answers that are illegible or blank receive no points. Contracted Braille transcriptions done with a braillewriter that have 2 or fewer mistakes score a 4. Those with 3-5 errors earn a 3, those with 6-8 errors a 2, and those with 9 or more errors score a 1. Again, illegible or blank answers receive no points.

Nemeth Code transcriptions completed in Booklet 2 of the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency test are scored using the rubric for slate and stylus Contracted Braille transcriptions described above. Nemeth Code transcriptions completed in response to specific code rules are scored like contracted Braille transcriptions produced with a braillewriter. As with Contracted Braille transcriptions, those that are illegible or blank earn no points on the PRAXIS II Braille Proficiency exam.