Skip to content
PRAXISCode: 50014 Separately Timed Subtests4 hrs 35 min Total⚠ Retiring August 2028

Praxis® Elementary Education:
Multiple Subjects (5001)
Practice Tests & Study Guide

Comprehensive preparation for all four subtests of the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects assessment — Reading and Language Arts (5002), Mathematics (5003), Social Studies (5004), and Science (5005). 245 total questions across 4 hours 35 minutes. Take all four in one session or individual subtests separately. Retiring August 2028 — being replaced by the new Fundamentals series.

245
Questions
4h 35m
Time limit
Varies
Passing score*
4
Subtests
CCSS
Aligned
Start Practice Free →View Exam Blueprint
4.9 · 12,400

Start Practicing Free

No credit card. 10 questions/day free forever.

Get Free Access →See Premium Plans
Adaptive IRT-based selection
Explanation for every question
Domain-level score breakdown
Timed full-length practice mode
⚠️

The 5001 series is being retired August 2028 and replaced by the new Elementary Education Fundamentals series (8002–8006). All four subtests (5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) are currently active but retiring. The new Fundamentals series launched March 9, 2026. States are transitioning at different rates. Before registering for any 5001 subtest, verify your state still requires it at ets.org/praxis/states. Some states now require the 8002–8006 tests instead. Registering for the wrong series means paying again.

📋

Subtests can be taken individually or all together. You can register for and take all four subtests of the 5001 in a single 4-hour-35-minute testing session, or you can take each subtest separately in different sessions. If you pass three subtests but fail one, you only need to retake the failed subtest — you do not repeat the ones you already passed. Most states require all four subtests for elementary generalist licensure. Always verify your specific state's requirements at ets.org/praxis/states.

📄

Source: All exam details are drawn from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Study Companion and ETS 5001 test page. Aligned to CCSS for ELA and Mathematics, national Social Studies standards (NCSS), and National Science Education Standards (NSES/NSTA). Passing scores vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

Free Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Sample Quiz

1 / 1

Which phonics skill helps a student read "chain" by recognizing "ch" and "ai" patterns?

Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) — Test at a Glance

Key facts for the full 5001 assessment and each of its four separately timed subtests, confirmed from the official ETS Study Companion.

Test code
5001
4 separately timed subtests
Total questions
245
Across all 4 subtests
Total time
4h 35m
Combined; subtests independent
5002 Reading & ELA
80q · 90 min
Reading (47%) + Writing/Speaking/Listening (53%)
5003 Mathematics
50q · 65 min
Scientific calculator · 3 categories
5004 Social Studies
60q · 60 min
Geography, History, Gov, Econ, Inquiry
5005 Science
55q · 60 min
Earth/Space, Life Sciences, Physical Science
Series retires
Aug 2028
Replaced by 8002–8006

About the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)

What the 5001 assesses, who it's designed for, and the key structural features of this combined assessment.

The purpose of the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) test is to assess whether the entry-level elementary teacher has the content knowledge that is important, necessary, and needed at time of entry to the profession to teach English, mathematics, social studies, and science at the elementary level. The test is designed to support a generalist elementary school license.

The 5001 consists of four separately timed subtests. Candidates may take all four in a single testing session (4 hours 35 minutes total) or take individual subtests across separate sessions. Each subtest is scored independently. The four subtests are: 5002 Reading and Language Arts (80 questions, 90 minutes), 5003 Mathematics (50 questions, 65 minutes), 5004 Social Studies (60 questions, 60 minutes), and 5005 Science (55 questions, 60 minutes).

The test content is aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Mathematics, national social studies standards (NCSS), and the National Science Education Standards (NSES). Job analysis statements were developed by National Advisory Committees of expert elementary teachers. All four subtests consist of selected-response and numeric-entry questions. An on-screen scientific calculator is provided for the 5003 Mathematics subtest only. Some questions on any subtest may not count toward your score.

All Four Subtests — At a Glance

Each subtest is independently timed and scored. You must pass each subtest according to your state's requirements.

5002Reading and Language Arts
Questions80 selected-response
Time90 minutes
Category I — Reading38 questions (47%)
Category II — Writing/Speaking/Listening42 questions (53%)
CalculatorNot provided
Innovative item types≥4 (multi-select, order matching, grids)
5003Mathematics
Questions50 SR + numeric-entry
Time65 minutes
Category I — Numbers & Operations20 questions (40%)
Category II — Algebraic Thinking15 questions (30%)
Category III — Geometry/Data/Stats15 questions (30%)
CalculatorOn-screen scientific ✓
5004Social Studies
Questions60 selected-response
Time60 minutes
CoverageGeography, World History, U.S. History, Government, Economics, Inquiry
CalculatorNot provided
StandardsNCSS
5005Science
Questions55 selected-response
Time60 minutes
CoverageEarth/Space Science, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences
CalculatorNot provided
StandardsNSES + NSTA

Subtest Content Overviews

Detailed content breakdown for each of the four subtests — sourced directly from the official ETS 5001 Study Companion.

5002 — Reading and Language Arts80q · 90 min

The largest subtest by question count (80) and time (90 minutes). Covers the broad knowledge of language arts and related competencies necessary for a beginning elementary teacher. The 5002 includes a minimum of four innovative item types (multi-select, order matching, grids). No calculator provided.

I. Reading 38 questions
47%
II. Writing, Speaking, and Listening 42 questions
53%
Reading: Foundational Skills — phonological awareness: importance as a foundational literacy skill; identifying and providing examples of phonemes, syllables, onsets, and rimes; blending, segmenting, substituting, and deleting phonemes, syllables, onsets, rimes
Reading: Foundational Skills — phonics and word analysis: importance of phonics; common letter-sound correspondences and spelling conventions; high-frequency sight words vs. decodable words; roots and affixes; phonics approaches for ELLs; syllabication patterns (open, closed, CVe)
Reading: Foundational Skills — fluency: defining fluency and related terms (accuracy, rate, prosody); explaining the impact of fluency on comprehension
Literature and Informational Text — key ideas and details: identifying key details, moral, theme of literary texts with textual evidence; central idea and key details of informational texts; making inferences; summarizing; analyzing characters, settings, plots; analyzing relationships in informational text
Literature and Informational Text — text features, structures, and point of view: structural elements across genres; using text features; organizational structures of informational text (cause/effect, problem/solution); author's point of view; comparing multiple accounts; comparing texts addressing the same theme
Literature and Informational Text — multimedia and text complexity: integrating and comparing written, visual, and oral information; comparing text and filmed/staged versions; evaluating key claims; the three factors of text complexity (quantitative, qualitative, reader and task); features of text-leveling systems
Writing — types, effectiveness, and process: distinguishing opinion/argument, informative/explanatory, and narrative writing; evaluating writing effectiveness; developmental stages of student writing (picture, scribble through conventional); digital tools for writing; the research process (primary/secondary sources, credibility, plagiarism vs. paraphrasing, citing sources)
Language — conventions, vocabulary, and speaking/listening: conventions of standard English grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling; parts of speech; sentence types; figurative language; tiered vocabulary (conversational, academic, domain-specific); active listening; characteristics of engaging oral presentations
5003 — Mathematics50q · 65 min · Scientific calculator provided

The Mathematics subtest contains 50 selected-response and numeric-entry questions across three content categories. An on-screen scientific calculator is provided throughout. Aligned to CAEP 2018 K-6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards and AMTE 2017 Standards for Preparing Teachers of Mathematics.

I. Numbers and Operations 20 questions
40%
II. Algebraic Thinking 15 questions
30%
III. Geometry, Measurement, Data, Statistics, and Probability 15 questions
30%
Numbers and Operations — place value and rational numbers: base-10 numerals; composing/decomposing multi-digit numbers; recognizing that a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents to the right; whole-number exponents for powers of 10; rounding; operations with rational numbers; properties of operations (commutative, associative, distributive); order of operations; representing rational numbers on number lines, rectangular arrays, and area models; comparing, classifying, and ordering rational numbers; converting between fractions, decimals, and percents
Numbers and Operations — proportional reasoning and number theory: ratios and unit rates; percent as a rate per 100; solving unit-rate and percent problems (discounts, sales tax); proportional relationships; prime and composite numbers; finding factors and multiples; reasonableness strategies (mental math, estimation, rounding)
Algebraic Thinking — expressions and equations: differentiating expressions from equations; adding/subtracting linear algebraic expressions; distributive property to generate equivalent expressions; evaluating simple algebraic expressions; translating between verbal statements and algebraic expressions; using formulas to determine unknown quantities; dependent vs. independent variables
Algebraic Thinking — linear equations and patterns: solving multistep one-variable linear equations and inequalities; interpreting solutions (graphing on number lines); using linear relationships (equations, tables, graphs) to solve problems; identifying, extending, describing, and generating number and shape patterns; relationships between corresponding terms of two numerical patterns (function tables)
Geometry and Measurement: classifying lines, angles, polygons, and solids by attributes; composing and decomposing 2D and 3D shapes; representing 3D figures with nets; area and perimeter of polygons including fractional side lengths; volume and surface area of right rectangular prisms; determining how changes to dimensions change area and volume; coordinate plane (axes, origin, four quadrants, plotting points, drawing polygons); elapsed time, money, length, volume, mass; unit conversions within U.S. customary and metric systems
Data, Statistics, and Probability: identifying statistical questions; mean, median, mode, range; recognizing which measure best describes a dataset; effects of changes in data on measures of center; describing data (patterns, outliers); interpreting box plots, histograms, scatterplots; identifying, constructing, and completing all graph types (circle, bar, line, histograms, dot plots, double bar, double line, box plots); choosing appropriate graph types; interpreting probabilities relative to likelihood of occurrence
5004 — Social Studies60q · 60 min

The Social Studies subtest contains 60 selected-response questions in 60 minutes — the fastest pace of any 5001 subtest at exactly 1 minute per question. Covers six major social studies strands aligned to NCSS national standards. No calculator provided.

Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology: world and regional geography; spatial patterns of people, places, and environments; physical geography (major landforms and bodies of water); political geography (continents, countries, states, capitals); geographic literacy (map types, absolute and relative location, cardinal directions); human-environment interaction; people, society, culture, and community; interrelationships between human and physical systems
World History: major contributions of classical civilizations (Egypt, Greece, Rome); relationships between ancient and modern civilizations; 20th-century developments including World Wars and Cold War; technological developments and their influence; globalization; cross-cultural comparisons and interactions
United States History: European exploration and colonization; Native American peoples and cultures; American Revolution (causes, key events, outcomes); creating democratic government; 19th-century developments (Manifest Destiny, Civil War, Reconstruction, industrialization, immigration); 20th-century developments (Great Depression, World Wars, Cold War); cause-and-effect relationships across U.S. history periods
Government, Citizenship, and Democracy: founding principles of U.S. government (separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, republican government); three branches of government and their interactions; key documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, Gettysburg Address); global political systems (democracy, monarchy, autocracy); citizenship rights and responsibilities; civic participation
Economics: supply and demand; scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost; role of money and banking in economic decision-making; how people use natural, capital, and human resources; federal government's role in regulating the economy; economic effects of technology; taxation and government spending; domestic and international trade
Social Studies as Inquiry: questioning; gathering, organizing, and interpreting data; drawing conclusions; evaluating primary vs. secondary sources; distinguishing fact from opinion; interpreting various types of information; applying tools of social science inquiry (maps, timelines, graphs, charts)
5005 — Science55q · 60 min

The Science subtest contains 55 selected-response questions in 60 minutes. Covers three major science domains aligned to NSES (National Science Education Standards) and NSTA (National Science Teaching Association) standards. No calculator provided.

Earth and Space Science: Earth's structure (layers, rocks, minerals, erosion, weathering, deposition, plate tectonics); water cycle; geologic history and fossils; hydrosphere (oceans, tides, glaciers, groundwater); atmosphere (weather, climate factors, seasons); astronomy (solar system — Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets; Earth-Moon-Sun system — phases, eclipses, seasons; stars and the universe)
Life Sciences: cell structure and function (organelles, cell division, photosynthesis); genetics and evolution (genes, traits, DNA, heredity, common genetic disorders, natural selection, mutation); classification of organisms (kingdom through species); plant structure and reproduction; animal anatomy and physiology (respiratory, circulatory, skeletal/muscular, immune, nervous, endocrine systems; homeostasis); ecology (predator-prey, parasitism, competition, ecosystems, biomes, food webs, energy flow)
Physical Sciences: properties of matter (solids, liquids, gases; elements, atoms, compounds, molecules, mixtures; atomic model; periodic table); energy and matter relationships (conservation of energy, kinetic/potential energy, phase changes, heat transfer — conduction/convection/radiation); chemical reactions (bonding, formulas, acids/bases, pH, common reaction types); mechanics (motion, forces, gravity, buoyancy); electricity, magnetism, waves, and optics
Scientific Inquiry and Process: asking testable questions; developing hypotheses; planning and conducting investigations; selecting appropriate science tools; organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data; constructing explanations; communicating findings; understanding the nature of science; the relationship between science and technology; scientific safety practices in elementary classrooms

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know about registering for and taking the 5001 — including subtest-by-subtest timing and calculator availability.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Take all 4 in one session?Yes — or separately
Retake failed subtestsOnly failed subtest
Arrive (in-person)30 min early
Testing formatsIn-person or remote

Timing Per Subtest

5002 Reading & ELA90 min · 80q
5003 Mathematics65 min · 50q
5004 Social Studies60 min · 60q
5005 Science60 min · 55q
Total time4 hours 35 minutes

Calculators

5002 Reading & ELANo calculator
5003 MathematicsOn-screen scientific ✓
5004 Social StudiesNo calculator
5005 ScienceNo calculator
Personal calculatorsNot permitted for any

Scoring

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

Passing Score Requirements by State

Each subtest has its own passing score requirement, set individually by each state or licensing agency.

Important: Passing score requirements for each of the four 5001 subtests are set individually by each state or licensing agency. Different states set different passing scores for the same subtest. Always verify the exact passing score for each subtest in your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.

Also verify that your state still requires the 5001 series (rather than the new Fundamentals 8002–8006). There is no penalty for wrong answers on any subtest — always answer every question. Never leave a question blank on any subtest.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)

Strategies for managing a four-subtest assessment across 4 hours 35 minutes — with different content, pacing, and tools per subtest.

  • Verify your state still requires the 5001 before registering — many states have already transitioned to the new Fundamentals series (8002–8006). This is the most critical step. The 5001 is retiring August 2028, and states are transitioning to the 8002–8006 at different rates. If your state now requires the new Fundamentals tests, registering for the 5001 means paying for the wrong assessment and delaying certification. Check ets.org/praxis/states first. If your state still requires the 5001, proceed with confidence that it remains a fully active, valid assessment.
  • You can take subtests on separate days — consider your weakest subtest first, not all four at once. Many candidates take all four 5001 subtests in a single 4h35m session, which is a demanding cognitive endurance challenge. If you have a clear weakness in one subject, consider registering for your most challenging subtest in an earlier session when your energy is highest. If you fail one subtest, you only need to retake that one — passing three subtests is preserved regardless of when you took each.
  • The 5002 Reading and Language Arts subtest (80 questions, 90 minutes) is the longest — but Writing, Speaking, and Listening (53%) is larger than Reading (47%). Many candidates over-prepare phonics and comprehension while under-preparing the Writing, Speaking, and Listening category. The 5002 tests all five subcategories: Foundational Skills (phonological awareness, phonics, fluency); Literature and Informational Text; Writing (types, effectiveness, developmental stages, research process); Language (grammar, figurative language, tiered vocabulary); and Speaking and Listening. Know that the 5002 includes at least four innovative item types — multi-select, order matching, and grid questions — not just standard multiple-choice.
  • The 5003 Mathematics subtest (50 questions, 65 minutes) provides a scientific calculator — use it strategically, not reflexively. Per the official ETS Study Companion: “There are only some questions on the test for which a calculator is helpful or necessary. First, decide how you will solve a problem, then determine if you need a calculator.” Most math questions test conceptual understanding where calculator use provides no advantage. Numbers and Operations (40%, 20 questions) is the largest math category — invest most study time there. Don't round intermediate calculations when using the calculator, and check whether your result is the final answer or just an intermediate step.
  • The 5004 Social Studies subtest (60 questions, 60 minutes) is the fastest-paced — exactly 60 seconds per question. This leaves no room for extended deliberation. Know U.S. History from colonial period through 20th century in a chronological framework. Know the founding documents (Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights) well enough to apply them to scenario questions. Know all six social studies strands (Geography, World History, U.S. History, Government, Economics, Inquiry) — the content is broad, so coverage beats depth for this subtest.
  • The 5005 Science subtest (55 questions, 60 minutes) spans three major domains — Life Sciences is typically the most content-dense. Know photosynthesis and cellular respiration, genetics (Punnett squares), evolution and natural selection, ecosystems and food webs, and the major body systems for Life Sciences. For Physical Sciences, know energy types and transfers, heat transfer methods, and properties of matter. For Earth and Space Sciences, know the water cycle, rock cycle, Earth's layers, and the Earth-Moon-Sun system (seasons from axial tilt, Moon phases, eclipse types). The 5005 does NOT provide a calculator — know all science content conceptually, not just computationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Study Companion.

What is the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)?+
The 5001 is a combined assessment of four separately timed subtests: 5002 Reading and Language Arts (80q, 90min), 5003 Mathematics (50q, 65min), 5004 Social Studies (60q, 60min), and 5005 Science (55q, 60min). Total: 245 questions, 4 hours 35 minutes. Its purpose is to assess whether an entry-level elementary teacher has the content knowledge needed to teach English, mathematics, social studies, and science at the elementary level.
Can I take individual 5001 subtests on separate days?+
Yes. You can take all four subtests in a single session or register for each individually and take them on separate days. If you pass three subtests but fail one, you only need to retake the failed subtest. Your passing scores are preserved indefinitely. Most states require all four subtests for elementary generalist licensure — verify your state's requirements at ets.org/praxis/states.
Is a calculator provided for the 5001 subtests?+
An on-screen scientific calculator is provided for the 5003 Mathematics subtest only. No calculator is provided for 5002 (Reading/ELA), 5004 (Social Studies), or 5005 (Science). No personal calculators are permitted for any subtest. For the 5003, download the ETS calculator tutorial before test day to practice with its interface.
Is the Praxis 5001 being retired?+
Yes. The 5001 series — all four subtests (5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) — retires in August 2028, being replaced by the new Elementary Education Fundamentals series (8002–8006), launched March 9, 2026. Both series are currently live simultaneously. States are transitioning at different rates. Verify your state's current requirement at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.
What is the difference between the Praxis 5001 and the 5006 Elementary Education Assessment?+
The 5001 (Multiple Subjects) consists of four individual subject-area subtests taken separately or together — it's primarily a content knowledge assessment. The 5006 (Elementary Education Assessment) combines two subtests: 5007 (Reading/ELA and Social Studies) and 5008 (Mathematics and Science), with approximately 70% of questions on each subject assessing Tasks of Teaching (instructional application, not just content knowledge). Different states require different assessments — always verify at ets.org/praxis/states.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on any 5001 subtest?+
No. Your score is based solely on correct answers across all four subtests — there is no penalty for wrong answers. Always answer every question. Never leave a question blank on any subtest.
What is the passing score for the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)?+
Passing scores are set individually by each state or licensing agency for each subtest. Different states set different passing scores for the same subtest. Always verify the specific requirements for each of the four subtests in your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.

Ready to Start Practicing?

Practice for all four subtests with adaptive question banks aligned to the official 5001 content specification — subtest-level analytics so you know exactly where to focus.

Free Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Sample Quiz
Sources: ETS Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Study Companion (official PDF, praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-ets-praxisLibrary/default/pdfs/5001.pdf); ETS 5001 series test page (praxis.ets.org/test/5001.html); Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Mathematics; National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) national curriculum standards; National Science Education Standards (NSES); National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards; CAEP 2018 K-6 Elementary Teacher Preparation Standards; AMTE 2017 Standards for Preparing Teachers of Mathematics. 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