The ParaPro is gone, and its replacement, ParaPathways, is now the test most states use for paraprofessionals. If you’ve got a date booked (or you’re about to book one), the good news is that you don’t need months to get ready. With a clear plan and about an hour a day, four weeks is plenty for most people.
Here’s a simple four-week ParaPathways study plan that covers both subtests, links to our free practice tests and study guides, and shows you exactly what to do each week.
ParaPathways at a Glance
ParaPathways (test 5757) has two separately timed subtests. You can take them together or one at a time.
| Subtest | Questions | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing (5758) | 51 (about 30 reading, 21 writing) | 85 minutes | No calculator needed |
| Mathematics (5759) | 36 | 60 minutes | On-screen calculator provided |
Each subtest is scored on a scale of 310 to 350. About two-thirds of the questions test basic skills, and about one-third ask you to apply those skills in a classroom situation, like helping a student with a reading or math task. The passing score is set by your state or district, so check their requirements before you start.
Before You Start: Take a Diagnostic
Don’t start by reading notes. Start by finding out where you stand. Take our free ParaPathways reading and writing practice test and ParaPathways math practice test on day one, untimed if you like. Mark every question you got wrong or guessed on. That list tells you where to spend your time over the next four weeks.
The 4-Week ParaPathways Study Plan
| Week | Focus | Daily time | Goal by the end of the week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Diagnostic, then reading | 45 to 60 minutes | Main idea, details, inferences and words in context feel easy |
| Week 2 | Writing | 45 to 60 minutes | Spot grammar, usage, punctuation and spelling errors quickly |
| Week 3 | Math | 60 minutes | Fractions, decimals, percentages, equations, geometry and data |
| Week 4 | Timed practice and review | 60 to 90 minutes | Finish each subtest on time with a few minutes to spare |
Week 1: Reading
Reading is the biggest single part of the Reading and Writing subtest, with about 30 questions. Spend this week on how passages are built. Work through our study guides on the main idea, supporting details, drawing inferences, facts and opinions and words in context. Read one short article a day and say its main idea in one sentence. It sounds simple, but it’s the skill most questions come back to.
Week 2: Writing
The writing questions are mostly about spotting and fixing errors in sentences. Go through grammar errors, usage errors, punctuation errors and spelling errors, then parts of speech and pre-writing for the questions about the writing process. At the end of the week, retake the reading and writing practice test and compare your score with day one.
Week 3: Math
The math subtest has 36 questions in 60 minutes, and you get an on-screen calculator. That helps with arithmetic, but you still need to know which operation to use. Review fractions, decimals, percentages, linear equations, geometry and graphs and charts. Do a handful of word problems every day, because that’s how many questions are written.
Week 4: Timed Practice and Review
Now put it together under real time limits. Take each practice test again with a timer: 85 minutes for Reading and Writing, 60 minutes for Math. For every question you miss, go back to the matching study guide for ten minutes. Spend the last two days on light review only. Cramming the night before rarely helps.
How to Pace Yourself on Test Day
Both subtests work out to about the same pace: roughly 1 minute 40 seconds per question. Reading passages take longer, so move quickly on the short writing questions to bank time. On math, if a question is taking more than two or three minutes, flag it, move on and come back at the end. Never leave a question blank.
Test-Day Checklist
- Check your appointment time and location, or your at-home testing setup, the day before.
- Bring the ID your testing provider requires.
- Sleep well and eat before you go.
- Use the on-screen calculator on math to check your arithmetic, not to replace working out the problem.
- Read every answer choice before you pick one, especially on classroom application questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I study for ParaPathways?
Most people do well with about four weeks of study at 45 to 60 minutes a day. If your diagnostic scores are low in one area, give that area an extra week.
How many questions are on ParaPathways?
Reading and Writing (5758) has 51 questions in 85 minutes, and Mathematics (5759) has 36 questions in 60 minutes.
Can you use a calculator on ParaPathways?
Yes, on the Mathematics subtest. An on-screen calculator is provided.
What score do I need to pass ParaPathways?
Each subtest is scored from 310 to 350, but the passing score is set by your state or school district. Check their requirements.
Can I take the ParaPathways subtests separately?
Yes. The two subtests are timed separately, and you can take or retake one without the other.
Final Thoughts
ParaPathways rewards steady practice more than last-minute cramming. Take a diagnostic, spend a week each on reading, writing and math, then finish with timed practice tests. Four weeks of focused work is enough for most people to walk in confident. Start today with our free ParaPathways reading and writing practice test, and use the study guide to fill in the gaps.
This site is not affiliated with ETS. Test details checked in October 2026.