Building Confidence and Improving Praxis® Exam Pass Rates: A Success Story at Hampton University

Hampton University’s Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSAD) emphasizes academic excellence, clinical competence, and service in diverse communities to develop compassionate and skilled speech-language pathologists. The student-centered curriculum integrates evidence-based instruction with practical experiences, including an Early Intervention course and specialized certifications in areas like early intervention and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to increase their marketability. Additionally, a unique study abroad program in the Turks and Caicos provides global service-learning opportunities, enriching clinical skills and awareness of global health disparities. 

The program partners with TrueLearn to support the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students with a learning and assessment solution that has enhanced student confidence and improved SLP Praxis^® exam pass rates. In this blog, we will share a challenge the program faced, the rationale behind choosing TrueLearn, and the impactful ways the platform has been integrated into the curriculum.

Why the Program Partnered with TrueLearn

Recognizing that not all students have the same access to high-quality test prep resources, we wanted to implement a structured, program-wide solution to help level the playing field and ensure all students have the tools they need to be successful in the program and on the Praxis^®. 

Maintaining strong Praxis^® pass rates is a key metric for both accreditation and public reporting. Several years ago, our program’s pass rate on the Praxis^® exam fell into the mid-80% range, and while it met accreditation standards, it was below our internal benchmark for excellence and continuous improvement. We are committed to ensuring our graduates are fully prepared for certification and clinical practice.

How the Program Utilizes TrueLearn

Our program takes a hybrid approach to integrating TrueLearn into both instruction and assessment, and it has proven to be a valuable asset in supporting student success. In this approach, students’ utilization of TrueLearn is self-paced, giving them the flexibility to study on their own while receiving the benefit of structured exposure to Praxis^®-style questions. 

In addition, we have strategically implemented TrueLearn content into select academic courses, aligning practice questions with course objectives to reinforce key concepts and help students build test-taking stamina and familiarity with the Praxis^® format.

Most notably, we use TrueLearn’s mock assessment as our official comprehensive exam. Students are required to score a 70% or higher to pass, which ensures a standardized, data-driven benchmark for readiness. This shift has increased accountability and provided both students and faculty with clear indicators of preparedness. 

Since implementing this model, we have observed improved Praxis^® scores and greater student confidence—students feel more equipped, not only to pass the exam but to transition successfully into clinical fellowship and professional practice. This integration aligns with our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in clinical education.

How TrueLearn Supports the Program

The platform’s user-friendly interface also makes it easy for faculty to integrate into coursework, whether as in-class activities, homework assignments, or review sessions. The robust data and feedback tools empower both students and faculty to take a more targeted, informed approach to Praxis^® preparation.

Here are some of the benefits that TrueLearn has provided to our program:

• Supports Self-Directed Learning: Students can create individualized tests based on specific content areas or question types, allowing them to focus on the competencies where they need the most reinforcement. This not only builds content mastery but also helps reduce test anxiety by promoting familiarity with the exam structure. 
• Bridges Theory to Practice: Faculty actively incorporate TrueLearn into their courses and find it to be an invaluable tool that strengthens the connection between academic theory and clinical practice. The questions present students with realistic, clinically relevant scenarios that require them to apply foundational knowledge in a practical context, mirroring the type of critical thinking they will need as future speech-language pathologists.
• Engages Students in Higher-Order Thinking: One of the key benefits faculty have observed is how TrueLearn promotes deeper learning. Rather than relying on rote memorization, students are challenged to think analytically, interpret clinical information, and make informed decisions—skills that are essential for both the Praxis^® exam and professional competence.
• Evaluates Teaching Effectiveness and Program Quality: Faculty utilize TrueLearn’s detailed performance reports to analyze student understanding of key content, which informs curriculum planning and teaching methods. Reviewing aggregate data on student performance helps identify instructional strengths and areas needing adjustment, ensuring alignment between course objectives, Praxis^® expectations, and clinical competencies.
• Guides Strategic Learning and Continuous Improvement: TrueLearn’s Performance Dashboard enables students to monitor their progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and compare themselves to national averages, fostering strategic learning and ownership of their learning. At the program level, its reporting features provide data-driven insights for continuous improvement, valuable for program reviews and accreditation by demonstrating student outcomes and curriculum effectiveness.

TrueLearn has transformed our graduate SLP curriculum in remarkable ways. The platform’s adaptive question bank has directly contributed to our students’ Praxis^® examination success, with our pass rates now consistently exceeding national averages. Detailed analytics help the program identify specific knowledge gaps across our diverse student population, allowing our faculty to provide targeted support that honors our historically black college or university (HBCU) mission of excellence through personalized education. The platform’s evidence-based approach to learning aligns perfectly with Hampton’s commitment to scientific rigor while preparing culturally responsive speech-language pathologists. 

Additionally, TrueLearn’s continuous content updates ensure our students practice with questions reflecting the latest clinical guidelines and research, which has been instrumental in maintaining our program’s distinguished reputation. The investment has strengthened our students’ clinical readiness, enhanced faculty efficiency, and further elevated Hampton University’s standing as a premier institution for communication disorders education.

Student Perspectives on TrueLearn

Many of our students have shared candid and insightful feedback about their experience using TrueLearn. A common sentiment among them is that “TrueLearn is challenging, but it gets you ready for the Praxis^®.” Students consistently recognize that while the questions can be difficult and sometimes feel more advanced than what they’ve seen in class, the rigor is exactly what makes the platform so effective.

They’ve expressed appreciation for how TrueLearn pushes them to think critically and apply what they’ve learned in a clinically relevant way. The detailed rationales provided after each question help them understand not just what the correct answer is, but why, which reinforces learning and builds confidence. Students have also noted that using TrueLearn regularly makes the actual Praxis^® exam feel more manageable and familiar.

Ultimately, while they acknowledge that TrueLearn isn’t easy, they overwhelmingly agree that the challenge is worth it because it better prepares them for success on the Praxis^® and in their future clinical practice.

Conclusion

TrueLearn’s integration has significantly improved Hampton University’s CSAD program by enhancing academic rigor and preparing students for the Praxis^® exam and professional practice. This has resulted in increased first-attempt Praxis^® pass rates and greater student confidence due to detailed rationales, analytics, and Praxis^® alignment. The program has achieved a three-year average Praxis^® exam pass rate of 96% over the past three academic years. TrueLearn is a valuable tool for academic and clinical preparation, ensuring Hampton CSAD graduates are competent, confident, and practice-ready.

To explore a partnership with TrueLearn, visit www.truelearn.com/speech-language-pathology-partnership/

About the author:

Dr. Jessica Sullivan

Dr. Jessica Sullivan is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Hampton University. Her research focuses on aural (re)habilitation, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative auditory training interventions. Throughout her career, Dr. Sullivan has received numerous awards, honors, and research grants in recognition of her contributions to the field. She is also a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

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