The Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation (5086) exam is a test used to assess beginning secondary school teachers’ relevant social studies content knowledge, as well as interpretation, methodology, and application. The Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam was designed in accordance with the standards delineated by the National Standards for Social Studies Teachers, created by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).
How do I sign up to take the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam?
First, check the eligibility requirements set forth by the state or jurisdiction in which you intend to teach, because each state has its own eligibility criteria to sit for Praxis exams. Registration for the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam can be completed online. Subsequent to registering for the exam online, you will immediately receive your test admission ticket. You will bring this ticket and your photo ID with you on your scheduled test date. Registration by phone is possible for an additional $35 fee. You can also register via regular postal mail by mailing a registration voucher to ETS. Visit the ETS website to view available testing center locations and testing windows in your area.
What fees are associated with the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam?
The Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation (5086) exam costs $146 at registration. To change your testing location or date, you will pay an additional $40 fee. Additional score reports after your initial report will cost $50 per report.
What is the passing score for the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam?
In terms of passing scores for the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam, passing criteria are defined by individual states and educational institutions. Check the ETS state information website for specific state-defined scoring criteria. If you take the exam in a state that permits automatic score reporting, you will receive your initial score immediately subsequent to the exam.
What does the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam cover?
The Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam is a computer-delivered exam consisting of 90 selected-response (multiple-choice) questions and 3 constructed-response (short essay) questions. You will be allotted 2 hours to complete the entirety of the exam. The expectation is that you will spend 90 minutes completing the selected-response questions and 30 minutes completing the constructed-response questions.
The Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam consists of seven content categories. The outline below provides the exam’s content categories, along with the number of questions and approximate weighted percentages per category:
- United States history; approximately 18 questions, weighted at approximately 15%
- Covering: North American geography, European colonies, American Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, late nineteenth and early twentieth-century history, the New Deal, World Wars I and II, and related topics
- World history; approx. 18 questions, weighted at approx. 15%
- Covering: ancient Greece, Rome, Persia, China, and India, the spread of religion, global interactions and their socioeconomic and sociopolitical effects, the Enlightenment, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, and related topics
- Government/Civics; approx. 18 questions, weighted at approx. 15%
- Covering: political theory and concepts, political orientations, U.S. government and politics, civil liberties and rights, mass media, electoral systems, foreign policy, international relations, and other related topics
- Geography; approx. 13 questions, weighted at approx. 11%
- Covering: map types, projections, spatial perspective, Census Bureau, natural hazards, relationship between humans and the environment, renewable and nonrenewable resources, patterns of development, and other related topics
- Economics; approx. 13 questions, weighted at approx. 11%
- Covering: microeconomics, scarcity, economic systems, taxes and subsidies, macroeconomics, fiscal policy, international trade, and other related topics
- Behavioral sciences; approx. 10 questions, weighted at approx. 8%
- Covering: human behavior and its influence, groups and institutions, culture and cultural diversity, personal identity, and other related topics
- Short essays; approx. 3, weighted at 25%
- Covering: important historical events, issues, or social studies-related concepts; critical thinking and interpretation are emphasized
Test Preparation
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect on the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation (5086) exam, your next step is to begin preparing. Thorough test preparation is your key to success, and you need the most reliable test preparation materials available today. To help you pass the Praxis Social Studies: Content and Interpretation exam on your first attempt, Mometrix Test Preparation has designed a complete study resource: Praxis Exam Secrets study guide. In the Praxis Exam Secrets study guide, you get authentic Praxis exam content in the Praxis Practice Test. You also get expert tips for decreasing test anxiety, improving recall, and boosting test performance.
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