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Exam Overview
An Overview of the Exam
The Praxis General Science (5436) test, developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), measures whether prospective teachers of general science have the knowledge and skills needed for licensure. Many states use it for middle school or secondary general science certification. It is a computer-delivered test taken in one session.
Test at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 135 selected-response questions (some may be unscored pretest items) |
| Time | 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) |
| Question types | Mostly single-answer multiple choice; some ask you to select one or more answers or use other selected-response formats |
| Calculator | Not needed and not provided |
| Provided on screen | A periodic table of the elements and a table of physical constants |
| Score scale | Scaled score from 100 to 200 |
| Passing score | Set by each state or licensing agency; check the ETS state requirements page |
| Delivery | Computer delivered at a test center or at home with remote proctoring |
| Test fee | $130 (verify current fees with ETS) |
| Retakes | Allowed after a 28-day waiting period |
Content Categories and Weights
Share of Questions by Content Category
Physical Science — 37%About 50 questions
Life Science — 26%About 35 questions
Earth and Space Science — 22%About 30 questions
Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering — 15%About 20 questions
| Category | Approx. questions | Share | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering | 20 | 15% | Nature of science, investigation design, measurement and error, laboratory safety, engineering design, environmental and societal impacts, energy and resources, and science in daily life. |
| 2. Physical Science | 50 | 37% | Atomic and nuclear structure, matter and energy, thermodynamics, bonding, the periodic table, reactions, solutions, acids and bases, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound, and optics. |
| 3. Life Science | 35 | 26% | Cells, cell division, biochemistry, genetics and protein synthesis, evolution, classification, plants, animal systems and homeostasis, and ecology. |
| 4. Earth and Space Science | 30 | 22% | The Sun–Earth–Moon system, the solar system, stars and the universe, plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, Earth's history, the hydrosphere, weather, and climate. |
How the Questions Are Written
Practices integrated with content
About 50% of questions pair science content with a science and engineering practice: analyzing data, planning investigations, using models, constructing explanations, or arguing from evidence.
Tasks of teaching
About 25–33% apply content to instruction: diagnosing a misconception, choosing a demonstration or model, evaluating student work, or planning safe lab activities.
Breadth across disciplines
Questions range across chemistry, physics, biology, and Earth and space science, so steady review of every area pays off.
No calculator
Numbers are chosen so calculations can be done by hand; practice estimation and powers of ten.
Why the Test Matters
- A qualifying score is a common requirement for a general science teaching license or endorsement.
- It documents broad subject-matter knowledge to employers and licensing agencies.
- Preparing builds the cross-disciplinary content knowledge you will use with students every day.
Confirm Current Details
ETS and your state set fees, policies, and qualifying scores, and they can change. Check the ETS Praxis website and your state's requirements before registering.Finished reading?
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