Why it trips people up
Wording is subtle. Correlation/causation and sampling bias traps catch people who can compute means but misread designs.
Interpretation + probability fluency
Typical study load: ~25–40 hours
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Core · STAT
Statistics & Probability
Praxis 5165 Category IV (~20%): displays, center/spread, correlation vs causation, sampling, normal models, conditional probability, and expected value.
20 flashcards10 MCQs1 high-yield notes
Time
3 hours
MCQs / TBS
13 / 0
Score weight
20% MCQ · 0% TBS
of exam
n/a
Common traps
- Confusing mean and median under skew
- Saying correlation proves causation
- Misreading 'given that' in conditional probability
How to study STAT
- 1
Always state shape/center/spread when describing a distribution.
- 2
Practice conditional probability with two-way tables and trees.
- 3
Drill normal-curve area language (within 1/2/3 SD).
- 4
Write one sentence distinguishing observational vs experimental studies.
Blueprint content areas
Weights are ETS blueprint ranges. Use them to prioritize — do not ignore low-weight areas entirely, but spend more reps where the exam spends more score.
IV — Statistics & Probability
20%- • Data displays & summary stats
- • Correlation & linear models
- • Sampling & inference ideas
- • Normal distributions
- • Probability & expected value
STAT high-yield notes
Study these, then drill the STAT flashcards and MCQs.
STAT · High-yield
Stats is a reading test too
Many misses are language: bias, confounding, conditional probability wording, and correlation vs causation.
- Describe distributions with shape, center, spread, outliers.
- P(A|B) means restrict to B first — use a table.
- Experiments assign treatments; observational studies do not.
Exam tip: If a choice claims 'proves causes,' be suspicious unless it was a well-designed experiment.