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PRAXISCode: 8005🔬 NGSS + NSTA AlignedScience & Engineering Practices10–15% Teaching Scenarios

Praxis® Elementary Education
Fundamentals: Science (8005)
Practice Test & Study Guide

Comprehensive preparation for prospective elementary teachers — 74 questions across three science domains: Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Sciences. Aligned to NGSS and NSTA, incorporating Science and Engineering Practices. On-screen scientific calculator provided. Part of the new Elementary Education Fundamentals series with Praxis Steps support.

74
Questions
1h 40m
Time limit
157
Passing score*
3
Science domains
$79
Exam fee
NGSS
+ NSTA aligned
10–15%
Teaching scenarios
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New series — launched March 9, 2026. The Elementary Education Fundamentals tests (8002–8006) replace the older Elementary Education series (5002–5005, 7002–7005). Both series are currently active. The old tests retire August 2028. If your state has not yet adopted the new Fundamentals series, you may still be required to take the older tests — always verify at ets.org/praxis/states.

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Exam fee: $79 (standard price from June 1, 2026). The Fundamentals series costs significantly less than the older tests ($130). Coming summer 2026: Praxis Steps — a modular format where you can take individual Steps within each Fundamentals test at $39.50 per Step, instead of taking the full test at once.

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An on-screen scientific calculator is provided throughout the full exam. You are expected to know how and when to use it — it will be helpful for some questions (calculating wave frequencies, energy conversions, unit analysis) but is not needed for all questions. Become familiar with the ETS scientific calculator's interface before test day. No personal calculators are permitted. Many questions test conceptual understanding of science phenomena and NGSS principles, where the calculator adds no advantage.

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Approximately 10–15% of questions apply science content to a teaching scenario or instructional task. These questions measure science knowledge applied to decisions teachers make with students, curriculum, and instruction — selecting appropriate demonstrations, identifying student misconceptions about scientific concepts, choosing the best investigation design for a specific learning goal, or evaluating whether an activity aligns with NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. The 8005 also incorporates NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) throughout all three domains — not just as a separate section but woven through the content.

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Source: All exam details are drawn from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) test page and ETS Elementary Education Fundamentals series documentation. The test is aligned to CAEP K–6 standards, NSTA standards, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Passing scores vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) — Test at a Glance

Key facts directly from official ETS test specifications.

Test code
8005
Elementary Fundamentals series
Total questions
74
SR + numeric-entry
Science domains
3
~equally distributed
Domain I
Life Science
~24–25 questions
Domain II
Physical Science
~24–25 questions
Domain III
Earth & Space Sciences
~24–25 questions
Calculator
Scientific (on-screen)
Provided throughout
Teaching scenarios
10–15% of questions
~7–11 questions

About the Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005)

What you need to know before you register.

The Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) is designed for prospective teachers in primary through upper elementary school grades. The 74 questions measure the knowledge and skills in science necessary for a beginning teacher and are based on material commonly covered in a bachelor's degree program in elementary education.

The test aligns with CAEP K–6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards, National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It incorporates Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) from the NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education — the same framework underlying NGSS — throughout all three domains.

Approximately 10–15% of questions call for application of science content and processes within a teaching scenario or instructional task — measuring science knowledge applied to classroom decisions. An on-screen scientific calculator is provided for the computer-delivered test.

The 8005 is part of the new Elementary Education Fundamentals series (8002–8006). These tests support Praxis Steps — a modular feature launching Summer 2026 allowing candidates to take or retake tests in smaller content sections. Some questions may not count toward the score.

Three Science Domains at a Glance

The 74 questions are distributed approximately equally across all three domains — no single domain dominates. Each domain integrates NGSS Science and Engineering Practices.

Domain I
Life Science
~24–25 questions · NGSS Aligned
Structure and function of organisms, life processes, heredity and genetics, ecosystems and interdependence, evolution and adaptation, life cycles and reproduction
Domain II
Physical Science
~24–25 questions · NGSS Aligned
Properties of matter, chemical and physical changes, forces and motion, forms of energy and energy transfer, waves, electricity and magnetism
Domain III
Earth and Space Sciences
~24–25 questions · NGSS Aligned
Earth's structure and materials, Earth's systems and cycles, weather and climate, human impact on Earth, the solar system, stars and the universe

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices — Integrated Throughout

The 8005 incorporates the eight Science and Engineering Practices from the NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education across all three domains — these are not a separate category but are woven into content questions throughout the test.

SEP 1
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Formulating testable scientific questions and identifying criteria and constraints for engineering problems
SEP 2
Developing and Using Models
Creating, revising, and using representations to predict and explain natural phenomena at the elementary level
SEP 3
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Designing and conducting investigations in the field or laboratory; identifying variables and planning data collection
SEP 4
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Processing, organizing, and interpreting data from tables, graphs, and observations; identifying patterns and trends
SEP 5
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Applying mathematical concepts to represent natural phenomena; quantitative reasoning in science contexts
SEP 6
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Building evidence-based explanations for phenomena; proposing and evaluating engineering design solutions
SEP 7
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Evaluating scientific arguments and distinguishing valid conclusions from unsupported claims using evidence
SEP 8
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Reading and evaluating scientific texts and media; communicating findings in multiple formats appropriate for elementary learners
NGSS three-dimensional science: The 8005 reflects the NGSS framework's three-dimensional approach to science learning — Disciplinary Core Ideas (content knowledge in Life, Physical, and Earth/Space science), Science and Engineering Practices (how scientists and engineers work), and Crosscutting Concepts (patterns, cause and effect, structure and function, systems, energy and matter). Questions frequently ask candidates to connect all three dimensions — content, process, and crosscutting themes.

About Praxis Steps — New Feature Launching Summer 2026

The Elementary Education Fundamentals series supports a new modular testing feature designed to give candidates more flexibility.

What is Praxis Steps?

When Praxis Steps are enabled in Summer 2026, candidates will be able to take or retake the Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) in smaller content sections — called Steps — based on confidence and preparation. If your state has adopted this test with Praxis Steps, you may be able to demonstrate mastery of each domain (Life Science; Physical Science; Earth and Space Sciences) separately, rather than taking all 74 questions in a single sitting. This allows targeted retakes and reduces barriers to certification. Check your state requirements at ets.org/praxis/states to confirm if your state has adopted the 8005 with Praxis Steps enabled.

Official Exam Blueprint: 3 Science Domains

Each domain covers approximately one-third of the 74-question exam. NGSS Science and Engineering Practices are integrated throughout all three domains.

Domain I
Life Science
Characteristics and needs of living organisms; structure and function (cells, tissues, organs, organ systems in plants and animals); life processes (photosynthesis, cellular respiration, digestion); reproduction and life cycles; genetics and heredity (inherited traits vs. learned behaviors, dominant and recessive traits, DNA and genes at the elementary level); ecosystems (food chains, food webs, energy flow, producers/consumers/decomposers, biotic and abiotic factors, biodiversity); interdependence of organisms; evolution and adaptation (natural selection, adaptations to environments, fossil evidence); human impact on ecosystems.
~⅓
~24–25 questions
Domain II
Physical Science
Properties of matter (physical properties — color, texture, hardness, density, state, solubility; chemical properties); states of matter and changes of state; physical and chemical changes; mixtures and solutions; atomic structure at the elementary level; forces and motion (contact vs. non-contact forces, Newton's laws, gravity, friction, balanced and unbalanced forces); forms of energy (thermal, light, sound, electrical, mechanical, chemical); energy transfer and transformation; conservation of energy; simple machines; waves (properties — wavelength, frequency, amplitude; sound waves and light waves); electricity and magnetism (circuits, conductors and insulators, magnetic fields).
~⅓
~24–25 questions
Domain III
Earth and Space Sciences
Earth's structure (layers — crust, mantle, outer core, inner core; continental drift and plate tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes); Earth's materials (rocks, minerals, soils — properties and formation; rock cycle); Earth's systems and processes (water cycle; erosion and weathering; rock cycle; geologic time and fossil record); weather and climate (atmosphere layers, weather patterns, factors affecting climate, climate zones, greenhouse effect, climate change); human impact on Earth systems (resource use, pollution, conservation); solar system (planets, moons, asteroids, comets; Kepler's laws at the elementary level; Earth-Sun-Moon system — rotation, revolution, seasons, phases); stars and the universe (stellar classification, Hertzsprung-Russell diagram concept; Big Bang evidence; galaxies).
~⅓
~24–25 questions

Key Topics by Science Domain

Specific competencies aligned to NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas and NSTA standards — at the level of depth appropriate for prospective elementary teachers.

Life Science

Life Science — Organisms, Ecosystems, Heredity, Evolution (Domain I)

~24–25 questions · ~33%
Structure and function: cell theory; basic cell structure (cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, cell wall in plants); differences between plant and animal cells; how cells are organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems; major organ systems (digestive, circulatory, respiratory, skeletal/muscular, nervous, excretory) and their functions at the elementary level
Life processes — photosynthesis: photosynthesis as the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen (6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂); why photosynthesis makes plants the foundation of most food chains; the role of chlorophyll; relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Life processes — cellular respiration: cellular respiration as the process of releasing energy from glucose; comparison with photosynthesis (reverse reactions); why all living organisms respire; aerobic vs. anaerobic respiration at the conceptual level
Reproduction and life cycles: sexual vs. asexual reproduction; life cycles of plants (annual, biennial, perennial; pollination and seed dispersal); life cycles of animals (complete vs. incomplete metamorphosis); importance of life cycle knowledge for elementary science instruction
Heredity and genetics: inherited traits vs. learned behaviors and environmental influences; dominant and recessive traits; Punnett squares for simple dominant/recessive crosses; DNA as the carrier of genetic information; genes and chromosomes; mutations (beneficial, harmful, neutral); variation within species
Ecosystems and energy flow: biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of ecosystems; food chains and food webs; trophic levels (producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, decomposers); energy pyramid; why energy decreases at each trophic level; nutrient cycling (carbon, nitrogen, water cycles); carrying capacity; population dynamics
Ecosystems — interdependence: symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism); competition within and between species; predator-prey relationships; keystone species; invasive species; biodiversity and ecosystem stability
Evolution and adaptation: natural selection as the mechanism of evolution; how adaptations arise over time; evidence for evolution (fossil record, anatomical homologies, vestigial structures, DNA similarities); comparative anatomy across species; classification of organisms (domains, kingdoms, major phyla) and why classification is useful
Physical Science

Physical Science — Matter, Energy, Forces, Waves (Domain II)

~24–25 questions · ~33%
Properties of matter: physical properties (mass, volume, density, color, texture, hardness, boiling point, melting point, solubility, conductivity, magnetism); chemical properties (flammability, reactivity, ability to rust); identifying substances by their characteristic properties; the periodic table at the elementary conceptual level (elements, compounds, mixtures)
States of matter and changes: solid (definite shape and volume), liquid (definite volume, variable shape), gas (variable shape and volume), plasma; phase transitions (melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, sublimation, deposition) and the energy involved; physical changes (shape, size, state — substance identity preserved) vs. chemical changes (new substances formed — color change, gas produced, precipitate, temperature change)
Mixtures and solutions: homogeneous vs. heterogeneous mixtures; solutions (solute, solvent, concentration, solubility, factors affecting solubility — temperature, pressure, particle size); separating mixtures (filtration, distillation, evaporation, magnetism, chromatography)
Forces and motion: types of forces — contact (friction, normal, applied, tension, spring) and non-contact (gravity, magnetic, electric); Newton's three laws of motion (inertia, F = ma, action-reaction); balanced vs. unbalanced forces; free body diagrams; factors affecting friction; universal gravitation; simple machines and mechanical advantage (lever, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and axle, screw)
Energy forms and transfer: kinetic energy (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy — gravitational, elastic, chemical); forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, light/radiant, sound, electrical, chemical, nuclear); energy transformation (PE → KE and vice versa); conservation of energy; heat transfer methods (conduction — particle-to-particle, convection — fluid movement, radiation — electromagnetic waves); thermal expansion
Waves: mechanical waves (require medium — sound, water waves) vs. electromagnetic waves (do not require medium — light, radio, microwave, X-rays); wave properties (wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed); relationship: speed = frequency × wavelength; reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption; visible light spectrum (ROY G BIV) and color; sound properties (pitch = frequency, volume = amplitude, speed varies by medium)
Electricity and magnetism: electric charge (positive and negative); static electricity; current electricity; series circuits (single path — all components affected if one fails) vs. parallel circuits (multiple paths — others unaffected if one fails); conductors vs. insulators; magnets (poles, magnetic fields, poles attract and repel); electromagnetism (current creates magnetic field; electromagnets); Earth as a magnet (magnetic poles, compass use)
Earth & Space

Earth and Space Sciences — Earth Systems, Weather, Solar System, Universe (Domain III)

~24–25 questions · ~33%
Earth's structure: Earth's layers (inner core — solid iron-nickel; outer core — liquid iron-nickel; mantle — semi-solid silicate rock; crust — thin solid rock); lithosphere and asthenosphere; plate tectonic theory (plates, types of plate boundaries — convergent, divergent, transform; plate movements driven by mantle convection); continental drift evidence (matching coastlines, fossils, rock formations)
Seismic and volcanic activity: how earthquakes form at fault lines; Richter scale and Mercalli scale; P-waves and S-waves; using seismic data to understand Earth's interior; types of volcanoes (shield, composite/stratovolcano, cinder cone) and where they form; volcanic products (lava, ash, pyroclastic flows); hot spots (e.g., Hawaiian Islands)
Earth's materials: minerals — definition, physical properties (streak, luster, hardness/Mohs scale, cleavage, crystal structure, density); identifying common minerals (quartz, feldspar, mica, calcite, halite); rock types and the rock cycle — igneous (intrusive: slow cooling, large crystals; extrusive: fast cooling, small crystals/glassy), sedimentary (clastic, chemical, organic), metamorphic (regional, contact); fossilization processes; geologic time scale
Earth's surface processes: weathering (mechanical/physical: fracturing, frost wedging, abrasion; chemical: oxidation, dissolution, hydrolysis); erosion and deposition by water, wind, ice (glaciers), and gravity; soil formation (parent material, climate, organisms, topography, time — factors); soil horizons (O, A, B, C layers); soil types (sand, silt, clay, loam); human impact on soil (erosion, contamination)
Water cycle and hydrosphere: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration, groundwater flow; distribution of Earth's water (saltwater oceans ~97%, freshwater ice caps/glaciers ~2%, accessible freshwater ~1%); ocean currents (surface driven by wind; thermohaline/deep driven by density differences); tides (caused by Moon's gravity); ocean floor features (continental shelf, abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridges, trenches)
Weather and atmosphere: atmosphere layers (troposphere — weather occurs here; stratosphere — ozone layer; mesosphere; thermosphere; exosphere) and their properties; atmospheric pressure and temperature; humidity and dew point; cloud types (cumulus, stratus, cirrus, cumulonimbus) and precipitation types; air masses and fronts (cold front, warm front, stationary, occluded); severe weather (tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards) — formation and safety; weather instruments (thermometer, barometer, rain gauge, anemometer, weather vane)
Climate and climate change: difference between weather and climate; factors affecting climate (latitude, elevation, proximity to water, ocean currents, prevailing winds, mountain ranges — rain shadow effect); climate zones (tropical, temperate, polar); greenhouse effect (natural vs. enhanced); greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapor, N₂O); evidence for global climate change; human activities contributing to climate change; consequences (sea level rise, extreme weather, ecosystem disruption)
Solar system: Earth-Sun-Moon system — Earth's rotation causes day/night; Earth's revolution around Sun takes 365.25 days; axial tilt (23.5°) causes seasons (Northern Hemisphere summer when tilted toward Sun); Moon phases (new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent) caused by Moon's orbital position; lunar eclipses (Earth's shadow on Moon during full moon); solar eclipses (Moon's shadow on Earth during new moon); tides (spring tides during new/full moon; neap tides during quarter moons)
Planets and solar system objects: eight planets in order (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars — terrestrial; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune — gas/ice giants); relative sizes, distances, orbital periods, and characteristics; Kepler's laws conceptually (elliptical orbits, closer = faster); asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter; comets (icy bodies with tails pointing away from Sun); meteoroids, meteors, meteorites; dwarf planets (Pluto); Kuiper Belt
Stars and universe: stars as massive balls of plasma powered by nuclear fusion; properties of stars (size, color, temperature, luminosity, absolute vs. apparent magnitude); stellar life cycle (nebula → protostar → main sequence → red giant/supergiant → white dwarf/neutron star/black hole); Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (temperature vs. luminosity); evidence for the Big Bang (cosmic redshift, cosmic microwave background radiation); structure of the universe (galaxies, galaxy clusters, observable universe)
Teaching Scenarios

Tasks of Teaching Science — 10–15% of Questions

~7–11 questions across all three domains
Identifying student science misconceptions: analyzing student responses to identify specific misconceptions — e.g., belief that heavy objects fall faster (contradicted by Newton's laws); that plants get food from soil (photosynthesis); that seasons are caused by Earth's distance from the Sun (caused by axial tilt); that evolution means animals "decide" to adapt; that electricity in a circuit is "used up"
Selecting appropriate investigations: choosing the most effective science investigation for a specific NGSS learning goal at the elementary level; evaluating whether an investigation is appropriately designed for the target grade band; identifying what kind of evidence an investigation would generate
Applying NGSS Science and Engineering Practices: determining which SEP a proposed classroom activity engages; evaluating whether an activity genuinely develops science practices or is merely activity-based without inquiry; choosing activities that develop specific SEPs (e.g., SEP 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data vs. SEP 6: Constructing Explanations)
Evaluating instructional materials and demonstrations: assessing whether a demonstration or model accurately represents a scientific phenomenon; identifying simplifications in models that might introduce misconceptions; selecting the most appropriate representation (physical model, diagram, simulation) for a specific science concept at the elementary level

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know before and on exam day.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Testing formatsIn-person or remote
Part of seriesElem. Ed. Fundamentals
Arrive (in-person)30 min early

Scoring

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

Test Day

CalculatorOn-screen scientific ✓
Personal calculatorNot permitted
Scratch paperProvided at station
Question typesSR + numeric-entry

Praxis Steps (Summer 2026)

FeaturePraxis Steps
LaunchingSummer 2026
How it worksTake in smaller sections
State eligibilityCheck ets.org/praxis/states

Passing Score Requirements by State

Passing scores are set individually by each state or licensing agency.

Important: Passing score requirements for the Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) are set individually by each state or licensing agency. Always verify the exact passing score for your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering. Also verify whether your state has adopted the 8005 with Praxis Steps enabled.

Your raw score (number of correct answers, with numeric-entry items scored as correct or incorrect) is converted to a scaled score. There is no penalty for incorrect answers — always answer every question. Never leave a question blank.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005)

Strategies for an exam that tests conceptual science knowledge, NGSS practices, and teaching application — across three approximately equal domains.

  • All three domains are approximately equal in weight (~33% each) — prepare them with equal rigor. Unlike the 5007/5008 subtests (where Reading/ELA dominated at 65%), the 8005 is genuinely balanced across Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Sciences. There is no strategic shortcut of focusing on one domain. Each domain contributes roughly 24–25 questions to your total score. Identify your weakest domain first through a diagnostic assessment, allocate the most study time there, then systematically address the other two.
  • The scientific calculator is provided — but most questions test conceptual understanding where a calculator adds no advantage. Reserve the calculator for questions requiring precise numerical computation (energy calculations, density problems, wave frequency-wavelength-speed relationships). Most science questions test whether you understand a concept well enough to predict an outcome, explain a phenomenon, or evaluate evidence — tasks that require understanding, not calculation. Don't let the calculator availability lead you to under-prepare conceptual knowledge.
  • Understand the NGSS three-dimensional framework — Disciplinary Core Ideas, SEPs, and Crosscutting Concepts. The 8005 is aligned to NGSS, which organizes science education around three dimensions. Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) are the content — what you know. Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) are the process — how scientists work. Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) connect ideas across disciplines — patterns, cause and effect, structure and function, systems, energy and matter, stability and change. Questions frequently integrate all three. For example, a question might ask about food webs (DCI: Life Science), while asking you to analyze a data table about population changes (SEP 4), framed through the lens of cause and effect (CCC).
  • Know the most commonly tested elementary science misconceptions — they appear in the 10–15% teaching scenario questions and require specific knowledge to identify. Common elementary student science misconceptions include: heavier objects fall faster (contradicted by Newton — acceleration due to gravity is constant); plants get their food from soil (they make food from sunlight via photosynthesis); seasons are caused by Earth's distance from the Sun (caused by axial tilt); animals "decide" to evolve adaptations (natural selection is non-directed); electricity in a circuit is "used up" (energy is transformed, not consumed); the Sun goes around the Earth (Earth rotates and revolves). Being able to recognize these misconceptions in student work and select the right corrective strategy is exactly what teaching scenario questions test.
  • For Earth and Space Sciences, build a systems-level understanding that connects Earth's processes across domains. Earth and Space Sciences questions frequently require connecting multiple Earth systems — for example, how plate tectonics drives volcanic activity which affects climate; how the water cycle connects precipitation to erosion to weathering; how Earth's axial tilt creates seasons which affect ecosystems; how the Sun drives both weather patterns and photosynthesis. Systems thinking — understanding how Earth's components interact — is more valuable preparation than memorizing isolated facts about each Earth system separately.
  • Download the official ETS Study Companion for the 8005 and complete all sample questions and discussion topics. The Study Companion is available free at praxis.ets.org and contains the official content specification, discussion questions organized by domain, and authentic sample questions with detailed explanations. The discussion questions for science — which require you to design investigations, analyze data, construct explanations, and identify teaching approaches — directly mirror the analytical depth of the exam. Also review the ETS Calculator Use page to familiarize yourself with the on-screen scientific calculator before test day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) test page and ETS series documentation.

How many questions are on the Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005)?
74 selected-response and numeric-entry questions across three content domains: Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Sciences. Questions are distributed approximately equally (~24–25 per domain). An on-screen scientific calculator is provided. Approximately 10–15% of questions apply science content to a teaching scenario.
Is a calculator provided on the Praxis 8005?
Yes. An on-screen scientific calculator is provided throughout the exam. No personal calculators are permitted. You are expected to know how and when to use the calculator, as it will be helpful for some but not all questions. Familiarize yourself with the ETS calculator's interface before test day.
What are the three content domains on the Praxis 8005?
Three approximately equal domains: Domain I: Life Science (~24–25 questions) — organisms, structure and function, heredity, ecosystems, evolution; Domain II: Physical Science (~24–25 questions) — matter, forces and motion, energy, waves, electricity and magnetism; Domain III: Earth and Space Sciences (~24–25 questions) — Earth's structure, systems, weather and climate, solar system, stars and universe.
What are Science and Engineering Practices and how do they appear on the 8005?
The eight SEPs from the NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education are integrated throughout all three domains — not as a separate section. Questions may present data tables, graphs, or experimental designs and ask candidates to analyze results, construct explanations, or evaluate evidence. SEPs include: Asking Questions; Developing Models; Planning Investigations; Analyzing Data; Using Mathematics; Constructing Explanations; Arguing from Evidence; and Communicating Information.
What standards is the Praxis 8005 aligned to?
The test is aligned to the CAEP K–6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards, National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It incorporates Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts from the NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education.
What is Praxis Steps and how does it relate to the 8005?
Praxis Steps is a new ETS feature launching Summer 2026 that allows candidates to take or retake the Elementary Education Fundamentals tests in smaller content sections. The 8005 is part of the Elementary Education Fundamentals series designed to support this modular format. Check ets.org/praxis/states to confirm your state's requirements.
What is the passing score for the Praxis 8005?
Passing scores vary by state or licensing agency. Always verify the specific requirement at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.

Ready to Start Practicing?

Adaptive practice questions covering all three science domains — Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Sciences — aligned to NGSS and NSTA standards, with teaching scenario questions. Domain-level analytics so you know exactly where to focus.

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Sources: ETS Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals: Science (8005) official test page (praxis.ets.org/test/8005.html); ETS Elementary Education Fundamentals series page; CAEP K–6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards; National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards; Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) — developed by Achieve on behalf of the 26 states and partners; NRC Framework for K–12 Science Education (2012) — Science and Engineering Practices. 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 22, 2026