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Exam Overview
An Overview of the Exam
Test facts, content categories, and scoring
The Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test is developed and administered by ETS as part of the Praxis Subject Assessments. It is a computer-delivered test of selected-response questions, offered at Prometric test centers and as an at-home test with a remote proctor.
120
Selected-response questions
2 hrs
Testing time
4
Equally weighted categories
$130
Test fee
Test at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Test name and code | Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511) |
| Number of questions | 120 selected-response questions |
| Testing time | 2 hours |
| Question format | Four answer choices (A–D), one correct answer |
| Calculator | On-screen scientific calculator provided |
| Delivery | Computer delivered at a test center or at home with a remote proctor |
| Score scale | 100–200 (scaled score) |
| Qualifying score | Set by each state or licensing agency |
| Test fee | $130 |
Content Categories
The test has four content categories with 30 questions each. Because the categories are weighted equally, a weak subject cannot be offset by ignoring it: each one accounts for one quarter of the raw score.
Share of the 120 questions
English Language Arts — 25%30 questions
Mathematics — 25%30 questions
Citizenship and Social Science — 25%30 questions
Science — 25%30 questions
| Category | Questions | Subareas |
|---|---|---|
| I. English Language Arts | 30 (25%) | Reading literature; literary methods and effects; reading and communication skills |
| II. Mathematics | 30 (25%) | Number sense and basic algebra; geometry and measurement; data analysis and probability |
| III. Citizenship and Social Science | 30 (25%) | Historical continuity and change; people, places, and regions; civics and government; scarcity and economic choice |
| IV. Science | 30 (25%) | Nature and history of science; basic principles of science; science, technology, and social perspectives |
Scoring
- The score is based on the number of questions answered correctly; there is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question.
- Raw scores are converted to a scaled score from 100 to 200, which adjusts for small differences in difficulty between test forms.
- Each state sets its own qualifying (passing) score. Check the current requirement for your state on the ETS Praxis website before you test.
- A test form may include some questions that are being tried out and do not count toward the score; they are not identified, so treat every question as scored.
Registration and Test Day Policies
Register
Create a Praxis account on the ETS website, choose test-center or at-home delivery, and select a date. Four score recipients are included with the fee.
Identification
Bring valid, government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the name used at registration.
Retakes
You may retake the test after 28 days. Use the score report's category results to target your study.
Accommodations
Testing accommodations for disabilities or health-related needs must be requested and approved before you register for a date.
Always Confirm Current Details
Fees, delivery options, and state qualifying scores are set by ETS and by each state and can change. Confirm them on the official Praxis website when you register.Finished reading?
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