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Exam Overview
Exam Overview
The Praxis II: Citizenship Education: Content Knowledge (5087) exam assesses your readiness to teach social studies and civics at the secondary level in the United States.
It measures both content knowledge and application skills required in real classroom settings.
Exam Administration
- Administered by: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
- Exam Type: Subject Assessment (Praxis II series)
- Delivery Mode: Computer-based testing
- Test center
- At-home (remote proctoring option available)
Exam Pattern
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 selected-response (MCQs) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Question Type | Multiple-choice |
| Sections | Integrated (no separate timed sections) |
| Difficulty Level | Easy, Moderate, Hard (balanced distribution) |
Scoring System
Score Range
100–200 scale
Passing Score
Varies by state (commonly 155–160)
Score Type
Scaled score (not raw score)
Score Reporting Includes
- Overall score
- Performance by content categories
Content Distribution
| Section | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| United States History | ~22% |
| World History | ~22% |
| Government, Civics, Political Science | ~22% |
| Geography | ~17% |
| Economics | ~17% |
Skills Assessed
The exam evaluates how well you can:
- Recall key historical, political, and economic facts
- Apply concepts to real-world and classroom scenarios
- Interpret maps, charts, and data
- Analyze civic issues and government systems
- Evaluate cause-and-effect relationships
Importance of the Exam
Required for Teacher Licensure
Many U.S. states require this exam for:
- Social studies teachers
- Civics or citizenship education teachers
- Passing the exam is a mandatory certification step
Measures Teaching Readiness
The exam confirms your ability to:
- Explain historical and civic concepts clearly
- Connect content to real-world situations
- Support student understanding of citizenship
Focus on Applied Knowledge
You are not tested only on memorization.
You must:
- Analyze scenarios
- Interpret information
- Apply concepts in teaching contexts
Impacts Career Opportunities
- Required for job eligibility in many school systems
- Strengthens your profile as a qualified educator
- Demonstrates subject-matter competency
What You Should Focus On
- Strong understanding of government and civics concepts
- Clear knowledge of U.S. and world history timelines
- Ability to interpret maps, graphs, and data
- Application of economic and geographic principles
Exam Snapshot
- 120 questions
- 2 hours
- MCQ format
- Scaled score (100–200)
- Administered by ETS
This exam requires structured preparation and consistent practice.
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