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PRAXISCode: 5006Elementary Education📚 NCTE/ILA · NCSS · NCTM · NGSS~70% Tasks of Teaching

Praxis® Elementary
Education Assessment (5006)
Practice Test & Study Guide

Comprehensive preparation for prospective elementary teachers in primary through upper elementary grades — covering four content areas across two subtests: Reading/Language Arts & Social Studies (5007), and Mathematics & Science (5008). Approximately 70% of questions in each subject assess Tasks of Teaching.

180
Total questions
4.5 hrs
Time limit
Varies
Passing score*
2
Subtests
~70%
Tasks of Teaching
$130
Exam fee
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Approximately 70% of questions in each subject area assess content applied to a Task of Teaching — not isolated fact recall. Tasks of Teaching include: evaluating texts, examples, and representations for their support of instructional goals; creating and modifying resources to support goals including differentiation for particular learners; analyzing student work to identify misconceptions; explaining and demonstrating concepts; selecting and evaluating instructional strategies; and evaluating student work to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Preparing for these pedagogical applications — not just content knowledge — is essential for strong performance.

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An on-screen four-function calculator is provided for the Mathematics and Science (5008) subtest.No personal calculators are permitted. The calculator is available throughout the full 2-hour Math and Science subtest. The Reading and Language Arts & Social Studies (5007) subtest involves no calculation. Review the ETS Calculator Use page at praxis.ets.org before test day to familiarize yourself with the on-screen interface.

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Source: All exam details are drawn from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006) Study Companion. Passing scores vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

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This test retires August 2028. ETS has launched a new Elementary Education Fundamentals series (8002–8006) that replaces this test. Both the old and new series are currently active simultaneously. Many states are transitioning to the new Fundamentals tests now — check whether your state has adopted the new series at ets.org/praxis/states before registering. The new tests are also priced lower at $79 each (vs. $130 for most older tests).

Elementary Education Assessment (5006) — Test at a Glance

Key facts for both the combined assessment and the individual subtests.

Test code
5006
Combined assessment
Total questions
180
95 + 85 across 2 subtests
Total time
4.5 hrs
2.5 hr + 2 hr subtests
Tasks of Teaching
~70% of each subject
Pedagogical application
Subtest 5007
Reading/ELA + SS
95 questions · 2.5 hrs
Subtest 5008
Math + Science
85 questions · 2 hrs · calculator
Exam fee
$130
Confirm at praxis.ets.org
Score reporting
~5 wks
Per subtest separately

About the Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006)

What you need to know before you register.

The Elementary Education Assessment (5006) is designed for candidates who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities in elementary reading and language arts, social studies, math, and science instruction that are important and necessary as they prepare to enter the field of elementary education in the primary through upper elementary school grades.

The assessment consists of two subtests: the Elementary Education: Reading and Language Arts & Social Studies (5007) with 95 questions in 2.5 hours, and the Elementary Education: Mathematics and Science (5008) with 85 questions in 2 hours. Each subtest can also be taken independently. The assessment was developed through work with practicing elementary teachers, teacher educators, and higher education content specialists.

Approximately 70% of questions in each subject area assess content applied to a Task of Teaching — this means most questions present classroom scenarios, student work samples, or instructional decisions, not just isolated content facts. Questions test whether candidates can analyze student thinking, select appropriate instructional strategies, evaluate student misconceptions, and adapt curriculum for diverse learners.

The test uses a variety of selected-response question types including selecting one or more answers, and other interactive types. An on-screen four-function calculator is provided for the 5008 subtest. Some questions may not count toward the score.

Two Subtests at a Glance

Each subtest is separately scored and can also be taken independently.

Subtest 5007
Reading and Language Arts & Social Studies
Can be taken independently · NCTE/ILA + NCSS aligned
Questions95 selected-response
Time2.5 hours (150 min)
Reading & Language Arts65% · ~62 questions
Social Studies35% · ~33 questions
Tasks of Teaching~70% in each subject
Subtest 5008
Mathematics and Science
Can be taken independently · NCTM + NSTA + NGSS aligned
Questions85 selected-response
Time2 hours (120 min)
Mathematics60% · ~51 questions
Science40% · ~34 questions
CalculatorOn-screen four-function

Tasks of Teaching — What They Are and Why They Matter

Approximately 70% of questions in each subject area are Tasks of Teaching — questions that situate content knowledge in realistic teaching scenarios. Preparing for these is as important as studying the content itself.

Task Type 1
Evaluating Educational Materials
Evaluating texts, examples, and graphic representations for their support of particular instructional goals — selecting the best resource for a given learning objective
Task Type 2
Creating and Modifying Materials
Creating and modifying texts, examples, and representations to support particular instructional goals, including differentiation for particular learners with diverse needs
Task Type 3
Explaining and Demonstrating
Explaining, defining, and demonstrating content processes and concepts for students — presenting ideas in ways that are clear and accessible to elementary learners
Task Type 4
Facilitating Discussions
Facilitating class discussions and conversations with individual students to elicit or develop their thinking about particular content
Task Type 5
Evaluating Instructional Strategies
Evaluating strategies and activities to elicit, develop, or assess students' thinking about particular content or to develop or assess their facility with content processes
Task Type 6
Analyzing Student Work
Evaluating student work (reading, writing, math, science) to identify specific strengths and areas for improvement; analyzing patterns of thinking, cuing systems, misconceptions, and partial conceptions
What this means for your preparation: Study not just what the content is, but how you would teach it. For every topic area, ask: What are common student misconceptions? What instructional strategies develop this skill? How would you assess student understanding? How would you differentiate for struggling or advanced learners? The discussion questions in the official ETS Study Companion are excellent practice for this thinking.

Official Exam Blueprint: 4 Content Areas

Reading & Language Arts is the single largest content area at 65% of the 5007 subtest. Mathematics is 60% of the 5008. All four areas are assessed through the Tasks of Teaching lens.

Subtest 5007 — Area I
Reading and Language Arts
Foundational skills (print concepts, alphabetic principle, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency); language (conventions of standard academic English, vocabulary, forms and functions of language); constructing meaning (key ideas and details, author's craft and text structure, integration and application of knowledge, text types); production of written texts (writing process, narrative, expository, research); discussion, collaboration, and presentation of knowledge. Aligned to NCTE/ILA Standards.
65%
~62 questions
Subtest 5007 — Area II
Social Studies
History (chronology, historical sources, classical civilizations, indigenous peoples, European exploration and colonization, American independence, development of U.S. government, 19th–21st century U.S. history); government and citizenship (family and community, purposes and levels and forms of government, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, responsible citizenship); geography (location, distance, direction, physical and human characteristics of place, human-environment interaction, cultural similarities and differences); economics (goods and services, producers and consumers, earning/spending/saving, supply and demand, types of economies). Aligned to NCSS.
35%
~33 questions
Subtest 5008 — Area III
Mathematics
Counting and operations with whole numbers (counting, skip counting, cardinality, four operations, properties of operations, number theory); place value and decimals (conceptual understanding, comparing and ordering multidigit and decimal numbers, rounding, composing/decomposing, manipulatives and drawings); fractions (conceptual understanding, operations, representations, connecting fractions to division); ratios and proportional relationships; algebra and algebraic thinking (expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, patterns); geometry and measurement (geometric figures, measurement concepts, area, perimeter, volume, coordinate geometry); statistics and probability (data representation and interpretation, statistical measures, basic probability). On-screen four-function calculator provided. Aligned to NCTM.
60%
~51 questions
Subtest 5008 — Area IV
Science
Nature and impact of science (nature of scientific knowledge, investigation design, data collection and analysis, science-technology-environment interactions); physical sciences (matter and its interactions, energy, forces and motion, waves); life sciences (structure and function, growth and development, ecosystems and interdependence, inheritance and evolution); earth and space sciences (earth materials and systems, weather and climate, human impact on Earth, objects in the universe, solar system); engineering, technology, and applications of science (engineering design process, interdependence of science and engineering). Aligned to NSTA and NGSS.
40%
~34 questions

Key Topics by Content Area

Specific competencies from the official ETS Study Companion — covering all four content areas at the level of depth tested.

Reading & ELAReading and Language Arts — Foundational to Advanced Literacy (5007 Area I)~62 questions · 65%
Print concepts: understanding that written words communicate a message, words are separated by spaces, text is written in a particular direction, sentences have distinguishing features (capitalization and punctuation); differentiating pictures from printed words
Alphabetic principle: understanding that individual phonemes heard in words are represented by graphemes; letter-sound relationships can be analyzed and synthesized in decoding and encoding; identifying uppercase and lowercase letter names, shapes, and sounds
Phonological awareness: understanding that speech is composed of phonological units varying in size (phonemes, morphemes, syllables, words); detecting and manipulating speech sounds at four levels: compound word parts, syllables, onset-rime, and phonemes
Phonics and word recognition: decoding unfamiliar words using letter-sound correspondences and orthographic patterns; reading multisyllabic words by breaking into syllables, identifying affixes; word analogies; identifying high-frequency sight words
Fluency: reading grade-level text with accuracy, appropriate rate, and prosody (natural speech in stress, pitch, phrasing, intonation, timing); using context to self-correct for word recognition; building stamina for reading tasks
Language conventions: grammar (clauses, phrases, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, correlative conjunctions); capitalization and punctuation; simple, compound, and complex sentences; grade-appropriate spelling using orthographic patterns, syllables, affixes, and derivational suffixes
Vocabulary: denotative and connotative meanings; academic words and domain-specific vocabulary; figurative and idiomatic language; word meaning strategies (context clues, word parts — affixes and roots, word associations, antonyms/synonyms, external resources)
Key ideas and details: close reading to determine explicit meaning, make logical inferences, and cite textual evidence; determining central ideas or themes; recounting stories and identifying central message, lesson, or moral; identifying relationships between characters, settings, events, ideas, or concepts
Author's craft and text structure: analyzing word choice for meaning and tone; describing overall text structure (cause/effect, problem/solution, sequence); using text features (captions, tables of contents, diagrams) to locate relevant information; comparing how authors convey point of view or structure arguments across texts
Integration and application: evaluating argument validity and evidence; synthesizing information across multiple texts; applying information to new contexts; interpreting how illustrations and visual representations support reader understanding
Text types and production: narrative, expository, and persuasive genres; transitions and text structures for different purposes; writing narratives with sensory details and clear event sequencing; writing expository texts with clear introductions and logically organized supporting details; the writing process (planning, drafting, revising)
Research and collaboration: locating and evaluating sources for credibility, accuracy, and bias; primary vs. secondary sources; discussion and collaboration conventions (taking turns, building on others' ideas, respectful conversation); oral presentation of knowledge and ideas with appropriate style for audience and purpose
Social StudiesSocial Studies — History, Government, Geography, Economics (5007 Area II)~33 questions · 35%
Chronology and historical thinking: understanding chronological concepts; using various sources (primary, secondary, newspapers, journals) to understand the past and present; comparing and contrasting primary and secondary sources on the same event
Historical content: classical civilizations (China, Africa, Egypt, Greece, Rome); characteristics of indigenous peoples in North America before European exploration; causes and effects of European exploration and colonization; American independence — conflict between colonies and Britain; development of U.S. government (Articles of Confederation → Constitution)
19th–21st century U.S. history: political, economic, and social changes in the 19th century; important developments in the 20th and 21st centuries; major trends across political, diplomatic, social, religious, artistic, and economic history
Government and citizenship: family and community; purposes and functions of government; various levels (federal, state, local) and forms of government (democracy, autocracy, monarchy, theocracy); key ideas in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights; responsible citizenship (voting, civic duties)
Geography: location, distance, and direction; physical characteristics of places and how they affect human activities and settlement patterns; human characteristics of places and how humans adapt to physical environments; human-environment interaction; similarities and differences between and among people and cultures
Economics: how human needs are met; goods and services; roles of producers and consumers; earning, spending, and saving money; supply and demand and how scarcity influences price; types of economies (command, market, mixed, traditional)
Task of Teaching — Social Studies: anticipating student thinking about social studies content; selecting, adapting, and creating resources for instructional goals; evaluating student work (arguments, time lines, source analysis) to identify strengths and areas for focus; designing learning experiences connecting school and community
MathematicsMathematics — Number, Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Data (5008 Area III)~51 questions · 60% · Calculator provided
Counting and operations: counting and skip counting whole numbers 0–1,000; connecting counting to cardinality; representations of all four operations (manipulatives, drawings, diagrams); solving mathematical and real-world problems using properties of operations (commutative, associative, distributive); basic number theory (prime, composite, factors, multiples)
Place value and decimals: conceptual understanding of digit value; comparing, ordering, and classifying multidigit and decimal numbers and rational numbers in different representations; rounding; composing and decomposing multidigit numbers; using drawings and manipulatives to represent place value
Fractions: conceptual understanding of fractions (fraction as part of a whole, part of a set, number on a number line); comparing and ordering fractions; equivalent fractions; operations with fractions; connecting fractions to division; multiple representations (fraction models, number lines, area models)
Ratios and proportional reasoning: understanding ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; solving ratio and proportion problems in real-world contexts; connecting fractions, decimals, and percents
Algebra and algebraic thinking: numerical and algebraic expressions; equations and inequalities; patterns and sequences; functions and their representations (tables, graphs, equations); using variables to represent unknown quantities in word problems
Geometry and measurement: properties of geometric figures (triangles, quadrilaterals, circles); area, perimeter, circumference, surface area, and volume; angle relationships; coordinate geometry; measurement concepts (length, mass, capacity) and unit conversions; applying formulas to real-world problems
Statistics and probability: collecting, organizing, and representing data (bar graphs, line plots, histograms, box plots); interpreting data displays; measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and spread (range); basic probability concepts; distinguishing categorical from numerical data
Task of Teaching — Mathematics: identifying and correcting student mathematical misconceptions; selecting appropriate representations (concrete, pictorial, abstract) for specific concepts; designing differentiated tasks; analyzing student work to determine level of mathematical understanding; evaluating the effectiveness of instructional strategies
ScienceScience — Nature of Science, Physical, Life, Earth/Space (5008 Area IV)~34 questions · 40%
Nature of scientific knowledge: empirical evidence; forming hypotheses and designing investigations; collecting and analyzing data; drawing conclusions; using models to explain phenomena; interdisciplinary nature of science; how scientific knowledge changes with new evidence
Engineering design: defining problems, identifying criteria and constraints; designing and evaluating possible solutions; optimizing solutions through systematic refinement; engineering-technology-science interdependence; appropriate tools and materials in the laboratory and field
Physical sciences: properties of matter (states of matter, physical and chemical changes, mixtures and solutions); energy (forms of energy — thermal, light, sound, electrical, mechanical; energy transfer and transformation; conservation of energy); forces and motion (Newton's laws, gravity, friction); waves (light, sound — wavelength, frequency, amplitude)
Life sciences: structure and function of cells, tissues, organs; growth and development of organisms; reproduction and inheritance; ecosystems and interdependence (food webs, energy flow, population dynamics, biodiversity); evolution and natural selection; adaptations; human impact on ecosystems
Earth and space sciences: Earth materials (rocks, minerals, soil formation); Earth systems and processes (water cycle, rock cycle, plate tectonics, erosion, weathering); weather patterns and climate; human impact on Earth systems; objects in the universe (sun, moon, stars, planets); Earth's place in the solar system; patterns caused by Earth's rotation, revolution, and axial tilt
Task of Teaching — Science: selecting appropriate science investigations for specific learning goals; identifying common student misconceptions in science; evaluating student experimental design; designing lessons that integrate NGSS science and engineering practices; using data and models to assess student understanding

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know before and on exam day.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Exam fee$130 (confirm at ETS)
Testing formatsIn-person or remote
Individual subtests5007 or 5008 separately
Arrive (in-person)30 min early

Scoring

Score typeScaled score
Wrong answer penaltyNone
Passing scoreVaries by state (per subtest)
Results available~5 weeks post-test
State requirementsets.org/praxis/states

Subtest 5007 Details

Questions95 selected-response
Time2.5 hours (150 min)
Reading & ELA65% · ~62 questions
Social Studies35% · ~33 questions
CalculatorNot applicable

Subtest 5008 Details

Questions85 selected-response
Time2 hours (120 min)
Mathematics60% · ~51 questions
Science40% · ~34 questions
CalculatorOn-screen four-function

Passing Score Requirements by State

Passing scores are set independently by each state and are reported separately for each subtest.

Important: Passing score requirements for the Elementary Education Assessment (5006) are set individually by each state or licensing agency and are typically set separately for the 5007 and 5008 subtests. A score that meets requirements in one state may not meet requirements in another. Always verify the exact passing score requirements for your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.

Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score. There is no penalty for incorrect answers — always answer every question. Some questions are unscored pretest items. If you take the combined 5006 and pass only one subtest, you can retake the failed subtest independently.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Elementary Education Assessment

Strategies for an assessment where 70% of questions are Tasks of Teaching — requiring applied pedagogical reasoning alongside content knowledge.

  • Approximately 70% of questions in every subject area are Tasks of Teaching — prepare for applied teaching scenarios, not just content facts. The single most important insight about this exam: most questions don't ask "what is phonological awareness?" — they ask "a teacher notices a student making these errors; which instructional strategy would best address this?" or "given this student work sample, which misconception does the student demonstrate?" Study content AND the typical student misconceptions in each area, the instructional strategies that address them, and how to differentiate instruction for diverse learners.
  • Reading and Language Arts (65% of the 5007, ~62 questions) is the largest single content area — master the full literacy development continuum. Know the developmental sequence: print awareness → alphabetic principle → phonological awareness → phonemic awareness → phonics → fluency → vocabulary → comprehension → writing. Questions test whether you can correctly identify a student's stage of literacy development, select an appropriate instructional strategy for that stage, and evaluate a text for its suitability for a specific instructional goal. The distinction between phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics is among the most frequently tested conceptual distinctions.
  • Mathematics is 60% of the 5008 (~51 questions) — use the provided calculator strategically, not as a crutch. The on-screen four-function calculator is provided throughout the 5008, but most math questions test conceptual understanding, not computation. Questions ask how you would use manipulatives to represent multiplication, what misconception is reflected in a student's error, or which representation best supports place value understanding. Save the calculator for multi-step word problems requiring precision; understand the mathematical concepts well enough to reason about them without relying on calculation.
  • Social Studies (35% of the 5007, ~33 questions) emphasizes application and analysis over memorization. The Study Companion's discussion questions make clear what this subject tests: given a student time line with errors, identify the misconception and choose a correction strategy; given an instructional goal, select the best type of primary or secondary source; given a student argument, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. Prepare by studying U.S. history chronologically, understanding the structure of government at all levels, and being able to explain economic concepts (supply/demand, types of economies) at the elementary teaching level.
  • Science (40% of the 5008, ~34 questions) integrates NGSS science and engineering practices throughout. Like the Earth and Space Sciences exam, the 5006 Science category tests not just content but the scientific practices: designing investigations, analyzing data, using models, engineering design. Know the three NGSS domains (Physical, Life, Earth/Space) at the elementary level AND the crosscutting concepts (patterns, cause and effect, structure and function, systems, energy and matter). Be able to identify appropriate inquiry activities for specific learning goals and recognize when a student is engaging in genuine scientific thinking.
  • Download the official ETS Study Companion and work through all sample questions — both the SR samples and the discussion questions. The Study Companion contains extensive sample questions for Reading/ELA, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science with detailed answer explanations. The discussion questions are particularly valuable preparation for Task of Teaching questions: they ask you to design lessons, identify misconceptions, scaffold instruction, and differentiate — exactly the level of applied reasoning tested on 70% of the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced directly from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006) Study Companion.

How many questions are on the Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006)?
The full Elementary Education Assessment (5006) contains 180 selected-response questions with a 4.5-hour total time. It consists of two subtests: Reading and Language Arts & Social Studies (5007) — 95 questions, 2.5 hours; and Mathematics and Science (5008) — 85 questions, 2 hours. An on-screen four-function calculator is provided for the 5008 subtest.
What are Tasks of Teaching and why do they matter?
Approximately 70% of questions in each subject area assess content applied to a Task of Teaching — questions that situate content knowledge in classroom scenarios. These tasks include evaluating texts and materials for instructional purposes, analyzing student work to identify misconceptions, selecting and evaluating instructional strategies, differentiating instruction, and explaining concepts to students. Preparing for these pedagogical applications is as important as studying content knowledge.
Is a calculator allowed on the Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006)?
Yes. An on-screen four-function calculator is provided for the Mathematics and Science (5008) subtest. No personal calculators are permitted. No calculator is available or needed for the Reading and Language Arts & Social Studies (5007) subtest.
What are the two subtests of the Elementary Education Assessment (5006)?
Subtest 5007 — Reading and Language Arts & Social Studies: 95 questions, 2.5 hours; Reading/ELA is 65% (~62 questions, NCTE/ILA aligned), Social Studies is 35% (~33 questions, NCSS aligned). Subtest 5008 — Mathematics and Science: 85 questions, 2 hours; Mathematics is 60% (~51 questions, NCTM aligned), Science is 40% (~34 questions, NSTA/NGSS aligned). Each subtest can be taken independently.
What standards is the Praxis Elementary Education Assessment aligned to?
Reading and Language Arts: NCTE/ILA (Standards for the English Language Arts). Social Studies: NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies). Mathematics: NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics). Science: NSTA (National Science Teaching Association) and NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).
What is the passing score for the Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006)?
Passing scores vary by state or licensing agency and are typically set separately for each subtest (5007 and 5008). Always verify the exact requirements for your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the Praxis 5006?
No. Your score is based solely on correct answers — there is no penalty for wrong answers. Always answer every question. Never leave a question blank.

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Sources: ETS Praxis Elementary Education Assessment (5006) Study Companion (official PDF, praxis.ets.org); ETS official test pages for 5006, 5007, and 5008; Standards for the English Language Arts (NCTE/ILA); NCSS National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies; NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics; NSTA Science Teaching Standards; Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Praxis® is a registered trademark of ETS. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. Passing score requirements vary by state — always verify at ets.org/praxis/states.
Last Updated: May 10, 2026