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Exam Overview
An Overview of the Exam
The Praxis Physics (5266) test, administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), assesses whether a candidate has the physics knowledge and the teaching-related reasoning needed to teach physics at the secondary level. Many states use it for physics teacher certification or licensure.
Test at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | 125 selected-response questions (some may be unscored pretest questions) |
| Time | 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) |
| Question types | Mostly single-answer multiple choice; some questions ask you to select one or more answers |
| Calculator | Not needed and not provided |
| Provided on screen | A periodic table and a table of physical constants, available as help screens |
| Score scale | 100–200 scaled score |
| Passing score | Set by each state or licensing agency; confirm yours on the ETS website |
| Delivery | Computer-delivered at a test center or at home |
| Test fee | $130 (verify current fees and policies with ETS) |
| Retake | After a 28-day waiting period |
Content Categories and Weights
Share of Questions by Content Category
| Category | Questions | Share | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering | 15 | 12% | Scientific inquiry, measurement and data, technology and society, laboratory safety, engineering design, and the practices and teaching tasks the test integrates. |
| 2. Principles and Models of Matter and Energy | 19 | 15% | Atomic and nuclear structure, radioactive decay, thermodynamics, states of matter, energy, and quantum physics. |
| 3. Mechanics | 44 | 35% | Kinematics, Newton's laws, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, and fluids. |
| 4. Electricity and Magnetism | 26 | 21% | Electrostatics, capacitance, circuits, magnetic fields and forces, and electromagnetic induction. |
| 5. Waves | 21 | 17% | Wave properties and behavior, sound, light and optics, and the electromagnetic spectrum. |
How the Questions Are Written
Practices integrated with content
Half or more of the questions pair physics content with a Science and Engineering Practice such as analyzing data, using a model, or planning an investigation.
Tasks of teaching
About a quarter to a third apply physics to classroom situations: student misconceptions, demonstrations, student data, and lab safety.
Why the Test Matters
- It is a common requirement for physics teaching certification or endorsement in many states.
- A qualifying score documents subject-matter knowledge for licensure.
- Preparation strengthens the content mastery you will use with students.
Confirm Current Details
ETS and your state set fees, policies, and qualifying scores, and they can change. Check the ETS Praxis website before registering.Finished reading?
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