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PRAXISCode: 7005🔬 NSES + NSTA AlignedPart of 7001 Multiple Subjects⚠ Retiring August 2028

Praxis® Elementary Education:
Science (7005)
Practice Test & Study Guide

Comprehensive preparation for prospective elementary teachers — 50 questions in 55 minutes covering three science domains: Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Scientific Inquiry and Process is embedded throughout all three categories. No calculator provided. Part of the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (7001) series. NSES and NSTA aligned. Retiring August 2028.

35
Questions
55 min
Time limit
Varies
Passing score*
3
Science domains
No
Calculator provided
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Domain-level score breakdown
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Scientific Inquiry and Process is embedded throughout all three content categories — not a separate domain. The 7005 doesn't list Scientific Inquiry as its own scored category, but per the ETS 7001 Study Companion, inquiry-based science thinking is woven into Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences questions. Questions frequently assess: asking testable questions and developing hypotheses; planning and conducting fair investigations; selecting appropriate science tools (thermometers, hand lenses, graduated cylinders, balances, spring scales); organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data; constructing evidence-based explanations; communicating scientific findings; understanding the nature of science and its relationship to technology; safety practices in elementary science classrooms.

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Source: All exam details are drawn from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education (7001) Study Companion. Aligned to the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards. Passing scores vary by state — always confirm at ets.org/praxis/states.

Elementary Education: Science (7005) — Test at a Glance

Key facts directly from the official ETS 7001 Study Companion. Note: The 7005 has 50 questions — not 35 as some sources incorrectly state.

Test code
7005
Subtest of 7001
Total questions
50
All selected-response
Time limit
55 min
~66 sec/question
Earth & Space Sciences
Earth's structure, hydrosphere, atmosphere, astronomy
Category I
Life Sciences
Cells, genetics, classification, ecology
Category II
Physical Sciences
Matter, energy, forces, electricity, waves
Category III
Scientific Inquiry
Embedded throughout all 3 categories
Testable questions, investigation, data
Calculator
Not provided
No calculator for 7005

About the Praxis Elementary Education: Science (7005)

What the 7005 tests and how it fits within the 7001 Multiple Subjects series.

The Elementary Education: Science (7005) is designed to assess the content knowledge needed for a beginning teacher to teach science at the elementary level as part of a generalist elementary license. The test contains 50 selected-response questions in 55 minutes across three content categories: Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

Scientific Inquiry and Process is embedded throughout all three content categories rather than appearing as a separate domain. Questions across all three areas may assess understanding of the inquiry process — asking testable questions, forming hypotheses, planning investigations, selecting appropriate tools, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, and communicating findings. Safety practices in elementary science classrooms are also tested.

The 7005 is aligned to the National Science Education Standards (NSES) and National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards. No calculator is provided. The 7005 is part of the 7001 Multiple Subjects series, which retires in August 2028, being replaced by the new Elementary Education Fundamentals series. Always verify your state's requirement at ets.org/praxis/states before registering.

Three Science Domains at a Glance

All three domains have roughly equal weight. Scientific Inquiry appears in questions across all three categories.

Category I

Earth and Space Sciences

Earth's structure and processes, rocks and minerals, erosion/weathering/deposition, plate tectonics, water cycle, geologic history, hydrosphere, atmosphere, weather, climate, and astronomy
Category II

Life Sciences

Cell structure and function, genetics and evolution, classification of organisms, plant structure and reproduction, animal anatomy and physiology, ecology and ecosystems
Category III

Physical Sciences

Properties of matter, energy and matter relationships, chemical reactions, mechanics (motion and forces), electricity, magnetism, waves and optics
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Scientific Inquiry — Embedded Throughout All Three Categories

Scientific inquiry thinking is tested within all three domains. Expect questions about: forming and testing hypotheses; identifying dependent/independent/controlled variables; selecting appropriate science tools (thermometers, graduated cylinders, hand lenses, spring scales, balances); analyzing data tables and graphs; constructing explanations from evidence; the nature of science (science as a self-correcting process); the relationship between science and technology; safety practices in elementary science classrooms.

Official Exam Blueprint: 3 Content Categories

All content categories confirmed from the official ETS 7001 Study Companion. Scientific Inquiry and Process is embedded throughout all three.

Category I
Earth and Space Sciences
Earth's Structure: the structure of Earth (crust, mantle — asthenosphere/lithosphere, outer core, inner core); types of rocks (igneous — formed from cooling magma; sedimentary — formed from compressed layers of sediment; metamorphic — formed by heat/pressure); the rock cycle and how rocks transform from one type to another; minerals and their properties (luster, hardness, streak, cleavage, fracture); the soil profile (O, A, B, C, R horizons) and factors affecting soil formation; processes that change Earth's surface — erosion, weathering (mechanical and chemical), deposition; plate tectonics — the theory that Earth's lithosphere is divided into plates that move; plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, transform) and the geologic activity associated with each (volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain formation); geologic history — the Earth's age (~4.5 billion years), geologic time scale, and how fossils are used to understand ancient environments and evolution of life.

Hydrosphere: Earth's water systems — oceans (97% of Earth's water, saltwater), freshwater distribution (glaciers/ice caps contain ~69% of freshwater, groundwater ~30%, surface water ~1%); the ocean and its properties (salinity, ocean floor topography — continental shelf, abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridge); tides (caused by gravitational pull of Moon and Sun); ocean currents and their influence on climate; glaciers and ice ages; groundwater — aquifers, water tables, wells; the hydrologic/water cycle (evaporation → condensation → precipitation → runoff/infiltration → transpiration → repeat).

Atmosphere and Weather: the layers of Earth's atmosphere (troposphere — weather occurs here; stratosphere — ozone layer; mesosphere; thermosphere; exosphere); atmospheric composition (nitrogen ~78%, oxygen ~21%, argon ~0.9%, CO₂ and other trace gases); weather vs. climate (weather is short-term atmospheric conditions; climate is the long-term pattern); factors that influence climate (latitude, altitude, proximity to large bodies of water, ocean currents, prevailing winds); meteorology — how weather is measured and predicted; types of clouds (cumulus, stratus, cirrus, cumulonimbus) and associated weather; precipitation types (rain, snow, sleet, hail); severe weather phenomena (tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards); greenhouse effect and global climate patterns.

Astronomy: the solar system — the Sun (a medium-sized star, composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, energy produced by nuclear fusion), planets (eight planets in order: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), moons, asteroids, comets, dwarf planets; the Earth-Moon-Sun system — Moon phases (new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent — caused by changing relative positions of Earth, Moon, Sun); solar eclipses (Moon between Earth and Sun) and lunar eclipses (Earth between Moon and Sun); tides; seasons (caused by Earth's axial tilt of 23.5°, NOT by Earth's distance from the Sun — a common misconception); stars — luminosity, magnitude, color, and temperature relationship (blue stars are hottest, red stars coolest); star life cycle; the Milky Way galaxy; the universe and the Big Bang theory.
~⅓
of total exam
Category II
Life Sciences
Cell Structure and Function: cells as the basic unit of life; prokaryotic cells (no nucleus — bacteria, archaea) vs. eukaryotic cells (with membrane-bound nucleus — plants, animals, fungi, protists); major organelles and their functions — cell membrane (selective permeability, phospholipid bilayer), cell wall (plants/fungi/bacteria — structural support), nucleus (contains DNA, controls cell activities), mitochondria (cellular respiration — produces ATP; “powerhouse of the cell”), chloroplasts (photosynthesis — converts light energy to chemical energy; found in plant cells), ribosomes (protein synthesis), endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER — has ribosomes, produces proteins; smooth ER — lipid synthesis), Golgi apparatus (packages and ships proteins), vacuoles (storage — large central vacuole in plants); cell division — mitosis (produces two genetically identical daughter cells — for growth, repair, asexual reproduction) and meiosis (produces four genetically unique haploid cells — for sexual reproduction, occurs in reproductive organs); photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (in chloroplasts); cellular respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP energy (in mitochondria).

Genetics and Evolution: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) — the hereditary material in all living organisms; DNA structure (double helix, complementary base pairs: A-T, G-C); genes as segments of DNA that code for proteins; chromosomes (humans have 46 — 23 pairs); Mendelian genetics — dominant vs. recessive traits, homozygous/heterozygous genotypes, phenotype vs. genotype; Punnett squares for predicting offspring ratios; incomplete dominance and codominance; sex-linked traits; mutations — changes in DNA sequence that may or may not affect phenotype; natural selection — Darwin's theory that organisms with heritable traits that improve survival/reproduction are more likely to pass those traits to offspring; evidence for evolution (fossil record, comparative anatomy, molecular biology); common genetic disorders (Down syndrome — trisomy 21; sickle cell anemia — recessive; cystic fibrosis — recessive; color blindness — X-linked recessive).

Classification: the taxonomic classification system (Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species); the three domains of life (Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya); the major kingdoms (Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Eubacteria/Bacteria, Archaebacteria); binomial nomenclature (genus + species, italicized, e.g., Homo sapiens); dichotomous keys for organism identification; viral structure and how viruses differ from living cells (not cellular, cannot reproduce independently).

Plant Biology: vascular (have xylem and phloem — ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms) vs. nonvascular plants (lack conducting tissues — mosses, liverworts, hornworts); seed plants — gymnosperms (naked seeds, e.g., conifers) and angiosperms (seeds in fruits — flowering plants); plant organs: roots (anchor plant, absorb water/minerals), stems (support, transport), leaves (photosynthesis, gas exchange via stomata), flowers (reproduction), fruits (contain seeds); plant reproduction — asexual (vegetative propagation, budding) and sexual (pollination → fertilization → seed/fruit development); phototropism, gravitropism, thigmotropism — plant responses to stimuli.

Animal Anatomy and Physiology: major body systems and their functions — digestive (break down food into nutrients), circulatory (heart, blood vessels, blood — transport oxygen/nutrients/wastes), respiratory (exchange O₂ and CO₂; lungs in mammals), skeletal (support, protection, movement, blood cell production), muscular (movement — cardiac, smooth, skeletal muscle types), nervous (brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves — coordinate responses), immune (defend against pathogens), endocrine (hormones — regulate body functions); homeostasis (maintaining a stable internal environment — blood sugar, temperature, pH); vertebrate classes (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and their distinguishing characteristics.

Ecology and Ecosystems: levels of ecological organization (organism → population → community → ecosystem → biome → biosphere); biomes (tropical rainforest, desert, grassland/savanna, temperate forest, taiga/boreal forest, tundra — know defining characteristics of each); populations — biotic potential vs. carrying capacity; population growth curves (J-curve = exponential, S-curve = logistic); species interactions — predation (predator-prey dynamics), competition, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, symbiosis; food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids (10% rule — only ~10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level); producers (autotrophs), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary/tertiary consumers (carnivores/omnivores), decomposers; biogeochemical cycles — carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, oxygen cycle; biodiversity and its importance; ecological succession (primary and secondary); invasive species and their effects.
~⅓
of total exam
Category III
Physical Sciences
Properties of Matter: states of matter — solid (definite shape and volume, particles closely packed), liquid (definite volume, takes shape of container, particles close but can flow), gas (no definite shape or volume, particles far apart and move freely), plasma (ionized gas — most common state of matter in the universe); physical properties of matter (mass, volume, density, color, solubility, magnetism, conductivity) vs. chemical properties (flammability, reactivity, ability to rust); physical changes (change in form, not chemical composition — cutting, melting, dissolving) vs. chemical changes (new substances with different chemical composition formed — burning, rusting, cooking; signs: color change, gas production, temperature change, precipitate formation); elements, atoms, compounds, and mixtures; the periodic table — organization by atomic number and properties, periods and groups, metals/nonmetals/metalloids; atomic structure — protons (positive, in nucleus), neutrons (neutral, in nucleus), electrons (negative, orbiting nucleus in electron shells); atomic number = number of protons; mass number = protons + neutrons; isotopes (same element, different number of neutrons).

Energy and Matter Relationships: conservation of energy — energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another; forms of energy — kinetic (energy of motion), potential (stored energy — gravitational, elastic, chemical), thermal/heat, light/radiant, sound, electrical, nuclear; heat transfer methods — conduction (transfer through direct contact — e.g., metal spoon in hot soup), convection (transfer through fluid movement — e.g., heated air rising), radiation (transfer through electromagnetic waves, no medium needed — e.g., warmth from the Sun); temperature vs. heat (temperature measures average kinetic energy; heat is the transfer of thermal energy); phase changes and their energy relationships — melting (solid→liquid), freezing (liquid→solid), vaporization/evaporation (liquid→gas), condensation (gas→liquid), sublimation (solid→gas directly), deposition (gas→solid directly); conservation of mass — matter is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions (mass before = mass after).

Chemical Reactions: chemical bonds — ionic bonds (transfer of electrons between metals and nonmetals; produces salts), covalent bonds (sharing of electrons between nonmetals); chemical formulas and equations; balancing simple chemical equations; acids (pH < 7 — donate H⁺ ions, taste sour, react with metals, turn blue litmus red) and bases (pH > 7 — accept H⁺ ions, taste bitter, feel slippery, turn red litmus blue); pH scale (0–14, 7 = neutral); neutralization reactions; common chemical reaction types (synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion).

Mechanics — Motion and Forces: position, distance, and displacement; speed (distance/time) vs. velocity (speed + direction); acceleration (change in velocity/time); Newton's Three Laws of Motion — First Law (inertia: an object at rest stays at rest, an object in motion stays in motion, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force), Second Law (F = ma: force equals mass times acceleration), Third Law (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction); gravity (universal attractive force between masses; F = Gm₁m₂/d²); weight vs. mass (weight = mass × gravitational acceleration; weight varies by location; mass is constant); friction (force opposing motion); buoyancy (Archimedes' principle — upward force on an object in a fluid equals the weight of the fluid displaced); simple machines (lever, pulley, inclined plane, wheel and axle, screw, wedge — how each multiplies force and the trade-off with distance).

Electricity, Magnetism, Waves, and Optics: static electricity — build-up of electric charge; current electricity — flow of electrons through a conductor; series circuits (single path — if one component fails, all fail) vs. parallel circuits (multiple paths — if one fails, others continue); electrical conductors (metals — allow free flow of electrons) vs. insulators (rubber, plastic, wood — resist electron flow); voltage (electric potential difference), current (rate of electron flow, amperes), and resistance (ohms); Ohm's Law (V = IR); magnetism — magnetic poles (north and south attract, same poles repel); magnetic fields; electromagnets (electric current through a coil creates a magnetic field); relationship between electricity and magnetism (electromagnetic induction). Waves — transverse waves (particle motion perpendicular to wave direction — light, water waves) vs. longitudinal waves (particle motion parallel to wave direction — sound waves); wave properties: wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed; the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency (and decreasing wavelength): radio waves → microwaves → infrared → visible light (ROYGBIV) → ultraviolet → X-rays → gamma rays; sound waves — how sound travels through different media (fastest in solids, slowest in gases); optics — reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection), refraction (bending of light as it passes between media of different densities), and applications.
~⅓
of total exam

Key Topics and Common Misconceptions by Category

Frequently tested concepts — and the common misconceptions the exam is likely to probe in each domain.

Earth & Space

Earth and Space Sciences — High-Priority Topics and Key Misconceptions

Category I · ~⅓ of exam
Seasons — most commonly tested Earth/Space misconception: Seasons are caused by Earth's axial tilt (23.5°), NOT by Earth's distance from the Sun. In summer (for the Northern Hemisphere), Earth's axis tilts toward the Sun, causing more direct sunlight and longer days. In winter, the axis tilts away, causing less direct sunlight and shorter days. Note: Earth is actually CLOSEST to the Sun in January (Northern Hemisphere winter). This counterintuitive fact is frequently tested.
Moon phases — cause and sequence: Moon phases are caused by the changing angle between the Moon, Earth, and Sun as the Moon orbits Earth. The Moon does NOT emit its own light — we see reflected sunlight. The sequence (new → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full → waning gibbous → third quarter → waning crescent → new) takes ~29.5 days. During a new Moon, the Moon is between Earth and Sun (same side as Sun). During a full Moon, Earth is between Moon and Sun.
Rock cycle and rock types: the three rock types and their formation: igneous (from cooling magma/lava — intrusive igneous cools slowly underground, forming large crystals like granite; extrusive igneous cools quickly at surface, forming small crystals like basalt); sedimentary (from compressed layers of sediment — most common at Earth's surface; may contain fossils); metamorphic (from existing rocks transformed by heat/pressure — marble from limestone, slate from shale). The rock cycle shows how rocks continuously transform between types.
Plate tectonics: Earth's lithosphere is divided into ~15 major tectonic plates that move (driven by convection currents in the mantle). Plate boundary types: convergent (plates collide — subduction zones, mountain ranges, volcanoes, deep ocean trenches); divergent (plates move apart — mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, new ocean floor created); transform (plates slide past each other — earthquakes, no creation or destruction of crust; e.g., San Andreas Fault). Evidence for plate tectonics: matching fossils across continents, fit of continents (Pangaea), paleomagnetism, seafloor spreading.
Water cycle components: evaporation (liquid → water vapor, driven by solar energy); transpiration (plants release water vapor through stomata — evapotranspiration = evaporation + transpiration); condensation (water vapor → liquid water droplets, forming clouds when air cools to dew point); precipitation (water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail); runoff (water flows across land surface into streams/rivers); infiltration (water soaks into ground, replenishing groundwater/aquifers). The water cycle redistributes freshwater and regulates Earth's energy balance.
The electromagnetic spectrum and stellar properties: stars are classified by color based on temperature — blue/white stars are the hottest, yellow stars (like our Sun) are medium temperature, orange and red stars are cooler. Our Sun is a G-type main-sequence (yellow dwarf) star. The electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest frequency: radio → microwave → infrared → visible light → ultraviolet → X-ray → gamma ray. Visible light is only a tiny fraction of the full spectrum. Gamma rays have the highest energy and frequency; radio waves have the lowest.
Life Sciences

Life Sciences — High-Priority Topics and Key Misconceptions

Category II · ~⅓ of exam
Photosynthesis vs. cellular respiration — the most frequently tested Life Science relationship: Photosynthesis: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (occurs in chloroplasts; converts light energy to chemical energy stored in glucose). Cellular respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP (occurs in mitochondria; releases chemical energy from glucose). Note: ALL living cells (including plants) perform cellular respiration. Only cells with chloroplasts perform photosynthesis. Plants perform BOTH — photosynthesis during the day, cellular respiration continuously.
Cell organelles and functions: Know the purpose of each key organelle: nucleus (DNA storage, “control center”), mitochondria (ATP production, cellular respiration — “powerhouse”), chloroplast (photosynthesis — plant cells only), ribosome (protein synthesis — all cells), cell membrane (selective permeability — all cells), cell wall (structural support — plant, fungal, and bacterial cells only; NOT in animal cells), vacuole (storage — large central vacuole in plant cells), endoplasmic reticulum (transport and synthesis — rough ER with ribosomes makes proteins, smooth ER makes lipids), Golgi apparatus (packages and ships proteins).
Mendelian genetics — Punnett squares: dominant alleles (expressed when present; uppercase letter) vs. recessive alleles (only expressed when homozygous recessive; lowercase letter); genotype (actual allele combination: TT, Tt, tt) vs. phenotype (observable trait: tall or short); homozygous dominant (TT), heterozygous (Tt — carrier for recessive), homozygous recessive (tt); a 3:1 phenotype ratio from a monohybrid cross of two heterozygous parents (Tt × Tt → TT : 2Tt : tt = 3 dominant phenotype : 1 recessive); sex determination (XX = female, XY = male); sex-linked (X-linked) traits more commonly expressed in males.
Natural selection and evolution — commonly misunderstood concepts: Natural selection acts on heritable phenotypic variation; organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully, passing those traits to offspring; evolution is change in allele frequencies in a population over generations — it is NOT directed or purposeful; evolution does NOT work toward a goal; individual organisms do NOT evolve — populations evolve over generations; acquired characteristics are NOT inherited (Lamarckian inheritance is incorrect). Evidence for evolution: fossil record showing gradual changes over time; comparative anatomy (homologous structures, analogous structures, vestigial structures); molecular evidence (DNA similarity).
Food webs and energy flow (10% rule): in a food chain/web, each trophic level receives approximately 10% of the energy from the level below it — the other 90% is lost as heat. This means: if producers (plants) capture 10,000 kcal of energy, primary consumers (herbivores) receive ~1,000 kcal, secondary consumers (carnivores) receive ~100 kcal, tertiary consumers receive ~10 kcal. This explains why food chains are typically only 4–5 levels long, and why there are far more producers than top predators in any ecosystem. Energy pyramids show this relationship visually.
Ecological relationships: mutualism (both organisms benefit — clownfish and sea anemone; bees and flowers); commensalism (one benefits, other unaffected — barnacles on whales); parasitism (one benefits, host harmed — tapeworm in host; mistletoe on trees); competition (both organisms harmed — lions and hyenas competing for prey); predation (predator benefits, prey harmed); symbiosis (any close, long-term interaction between species — includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism). Competition and predation are NOT symbiosis (not long-term close interactions).
Physical Sciences

Physical Sciences — High-Priority Topics and Key Misconceptions

Category III · ~⅓ of exam
Newton's Three Laws of Motion: First Law (Law of Inertia): objects at rest remain at rest; objects in motion remain in motion at constant velocity — unless acted upon by an unbalanced (net) force. This explains why seatbelts are needed and why objects continue moving in space. Second Law: F = ma (net force = mass × acceleration). A larger force produces greater acceleration; greater mass requires more force for the same acceleration. Third Law (Action-Reaction): for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force — acting on DIFFERENT objects (rockets propelling backward gases; swimmer pushing off pool wall).
Physical vs. chemical changes — most commonly confused distinction: Physical changes alter the form of a substance without changing its chemical composition (cutting paper, melting ice, dissolving sugar in water — the substance remains chemically the same). Chemical changes create new substances with different chemical compositions (burning wood, rusting iron, cooking an egg, baking bread — new chemical bonds form). Signs of a chemical change: temperature change, color change, gas production (bubbles), precipitate formation, light emission. Note: dissolving is a physical change even though it might look chemical — the solute can be recovered.
Heat transfer methods: conduction (heat transfer through direct physical contact between materials — e.g., a metal spoon in hot coffee warms your hand); convection (heat transfer through fluid movement — warm fluid rises, cool fluid sinks, creating convection currents — e.g., boiling water, ocean currents, atmospheric circulation, mantle convection); radiation (heat transfer through electromagnetic waves with NO medium needed — e.g., heat from the Sun reaching Earth through the vacuum of space, heat from a campfire felt at a distance). Different materials conduct heat at different rates — metals are good conductors; wood and air are good insulators.
Acids, bases, and pH: pH scale runs from 0–14: less than 7 = acidic (more H⁺ ions); 7 = neutral (equal H⁺ and OH⁻ ions); greater than 7 = basic/alkaline (more OH⁻ ions). The scale is logarithmic — each unit represents a 10x change in concentration. Common acids: lemon juice (pH ~2), vinegar (pH ~3), stomach acid (pH ~1.5–2). Common bases: baking soda (pH ~8.5), bleach (pH ~12), oven cleaner (pH ~14). Indicators (litmus paper, phenolphthalein) detect whether a solution is acidic or basic. Neutralization: acid + base → salt + water (pH moves toward 7).
Series vs. parallel circuits: series circuit — components connected in a single path; if one component fails, the circuit is broken and all components stop working (like old Christmas lights); current is the same throughout; voltage is divided among components. Parallel circuit — components connected in multiple paths; if one component fails, others continue to function (like household wiring); voltage is the same across each branch; current varies by branch. Household circuits are wired in parallel so that individual appliances can be controlled independently and failure of one doesn't shut off all others.
Conservation of energy and energy transformations: energy cannot be created or destroyed — only transformed from one form to another (Law of Conservation of Energy). Common energy transformations to know: chemical → electrical → light (battery powers flashlight); chemical → thermal → mechanical (burning fuel drives an engine); gravitational potential → kinetic (ball rolling down a hill); kinetic → thermal (friction slows a sliding object, warming it). In all real transformations, some energy is “lost” as heat — systems are never 100% efficient. This does NOT violate conservation of energy — the heat is still energy, just in a less useful form.
Scientific Inquiry

Scientific Inquiry and Process — Embedded Throughout All Three Categories

Appears in questions across all domains
The scientific method and experimental design: steps of scientific inquiry — observation → question → hypothesis → experimental design → data collection → analysis → conclusion → communication. A testable hypothesis is a specific, measurable prediction that can be tested with an experiment (e.g., “If the amount of light is increased, then the plant's growth rate will increase”). A hypothesis is NOT a guess — it should be grounded in prior knowledge. A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of scientific observations — NOT a guess (common language misuse). A scientific law describes WHAT happens (e.g., Newton's Laws); a theory explains WHY it happens.
Variables and fair testing: in a controlled experiment, the independent variable (IV) is deliberately changed/manipulated by the researcher; the dependent variable (DV) is measured/observed as a result; controlled variables (constants) are kept the same to ensure fair testing. An experiment should have only ONE independent variable to establish causality. Control groups provide a baseline for comparison. A fair test controls all variables except the one being tested. Sample size matters — larger samples produce more reliable results.
Appropriate science tools: thermometer (measures temperature); hand lens/magnifying glass (magnifies small objects); microscope (magnifies very small objects — light microscopes typically 100–1000x magnification); graduated cylinder (measures liquid volume — read at meniscus); balance/triple-beam balance (measures mass in grams); spring scale (measures force/weight in Newtons); ruler (measures length); stopwatch (measures time); barometer (measures atmospheric pressure); anemometer (measures wind speed). Know which tool is appropriate for a specific measurement task and how to use each correctly.
Analyzing and interpreting data: distinguishing data (measured observations) from conclusions (inferences drawn from data); identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies in data sets; reading and interpreting data tables, bar graphs, line graphs, scatter plots, and pie charts; understanding what makes a graph effective (labeled axes, appropriate scale, title, key/legend); recognizing that correlation does NOT imply causation; identifying sources of experimental error; explaining how changing a variable would affect an outcome based on data patterns.
Nature of science and science-technology relationship: science is a self-correcting process — scientific knowledge can change when new evidence emerges; science relies on reproducible, empirical evidence; scientists communicate findings through peer review and publication; the relationship between science and technology is bidirectional — science advances technology (new materials, medicines) and technology advances science (better instruments allow new discoveries); pseudoscience lacks empirical testing, peer review, and reproducibility; safety in elementary science classrooms — proper use and storage of materials, safety goggles, appropriate supervision.

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Everything you need to know before and on exam day for the 7005 Science subtest.

Registration

Where to registerpraxis.ets.org
Can take standaloneYes — 7005 independently
Testing formatsIn-person or remote
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

Total questions50 selected-response
Time55 minutes (~66 sec/q)
CalculatorNot provided
Inquiry embedded inAll 3 categories

Retirement Timeline

7005 retiresAugust 2028
Parent series (7001)Also retiring August 2028
New Fundamentals series8002–8006 (live March 2026)
Verify your stateets.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: Science (7005) are set individually by each state. Always verify the exact passing score at ets.org/praxis/states before registering. Also confirm your state requires the 7005 (part of 7001 series) rather than the 5005 (part of 5001 series) or a test from the new Fundamentals series.

There is no penalty for wrong answers — always answer every question. Some questions may not count toward the score. At ~66 seconds per question, flag difficult questions and return to them rather than getting stuck.

How to Prepare for the Praxis Elementary Education: Science (7005)

Strategies for a 50-question, 55-minute science exam covering three domains with Scientific Inquiry embedded throughout.

  • Verify your state requires the 7005 (part of 7001) rather than the 5005 (part of 5001) before registering. The 7005 has 50 questions in 55 minutes; the 5005 has 55 questions in 60 minutes. Both cover Earth/Space, Life, and Physical Sciences. Both are retiring August 2028. Different states require different series — and some states have already transitioned to the new Fundamentals series (8002–8006). Check ets.org/praxis/states first.
  • All three domains carry roughly equal weight — build coverage across all three, not depth in just one. The 7005 covers Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences with approximately equal question distribution (~16–17 questions each). The most common preparation mistake is spending too much time on the domain you find most interesting (typically Life Sciences for most candidates) and under-preparing the others. Prioritize your weakest domain first — take a diagnostic test to identify it, then systematically address it before test day.
  • Scientific Inquiry is embedded in all three domains — know the inquiry framework well enough to apply it to any science content. Questions in any category may assess inquiry skills: identifying variables (independent, dependent, controlled); evaluating experimental designs for fairness; selecting appropriate measurement tools; analyzing data tables and graphs; distinguishing data from conclusions; understanding the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law. These questions don't require deep content knowledge — they require knowing the structure of scientific investigation. Prepare these skills specifically so they're available across all three domains on test day.
  • Life Sciences typically has the most content breadth — prioritize cells, genetics, and ecology. Photosynthesis vs. cellular respiration is the most frequently tested Life Science topic — know the equations, locations (chloroplasts vs. mitochondria), inputs, and outputs cold. Mendelian genetics (Punnett squares, dominant/recessive inheritance) appears on nearly every 7005 administration. Ecology — food webs, energy flow (10% rule), and ecological relationships (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism) — is the other consistently high-yield Life Science area. Know the 10% rule specifically: ~10% of energy transfers between trophic levels, explaining why food chains are short and why there are far more producers than top predators.
  • Earth and Space Sciences: seasons caused by axial tilt, not distance — know this and three other commonly tested misconceptions cold. The four most commonly tested Earth/Space misconceptions: (1) Seasons are caused by Earth's AXIAL TILT — Earth is actually CLOSEST to the Sun in January (Northern Hemisphere winter). (2) The Moon does NOT emit its own light — we see reflected sunlight. (3) We cannot see the dark side of the Moon from Earth — the same side always faces us due to synchronous rotation. (4) The Big Bang was not an explosion in space — space itself expanded rapidly from an extremely hot, dense state. Know these deeply enough to identify them when they appear as wrong answer choices.
  • Physical Sciences: Newton's Laws and heat transfer are consistently tested — know them with real-world examples for each. Newton's First Law (inertia — seatbelts, objects continuing in space), Second Law (F = ma — heavier objects need more force), and Third Law (action-reaction — rocket propulsion, swimming) all require concrete examples to answer scenario-based questions. Heat transfer: conduction (metal spoon in hot soup), convection (hot air rising, ocean currents), and radiation (Sun's heat reaching Earth through space — only transfer method that works in a vacuum). Physical vs. chemical changes is another consistently tested topic — dissolving is physical even if it looks chemical; burning is always chemical; melting is always physical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced from the official ETS Praxis Elementary Education (7001) Study Companion.

How many questions are on the Praxis Elementary Education: Science (7005)?
The exam contains 50 selected-response questions with a 55-minute time limit. Questions span three domains: Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Scientific Inquiry and Process is embedded throughout all three categories. No calculator is provided. The 7005 is a subtest of the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (7001) assessment and can be taken independently.
What is the difference between the Praxis 7005 and 5005?
Both cover Earth/Space, Life, and Physical Sciences with Scientific Inquiry embedded throughout. Key differences: 7005 has 50 questions in 55 minutes and is a subtest of the 7001 Multiple Subjects series. 5005 has 55 questions in 60 minutes and is a subtest of the 5001 Multiple Subjects series. Neither provides a calculator. Both are retiring August 2028. Different states require different series — always verify at ets.org/praxis/states.
Is Scientific Inquiry its own category on the 7005?
No — Scientific Inquiry is embedded throughout all three content categories rather than listed as a separate scored domain. Questions in Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences may all include inquiry-based questions assessing: testable hypothesis formation, experimental design (identifying variables), appropriate tool selection, data analysis and interpretation, constructing evidence-based explanations, and the nature of science.
Is there a calculator provided on the Praxis 7005?
No. No calculator is provided for the 7005 Science subtest. The science content tested at the elementary level is primarily conceptual, so most questions don't require complex calculations. No personal calculators are permitted.
Is the Praxis 7005 being retired?
Yes. The 7005 is part of the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (7001) series, which retires in August 2028, being replaced by the new Elementary Education Fundamentals series (8002–8006), launched March 9, 2026. Both series are currently active. Verify your state's requirement at ets.org/praxis/states.
What is the passing score for the Praxis Elementary Education: Science (7005)?
Passing scores vary by state or licensing agency. Always verify the specific requirement for your state at ets.org/praxis/states before registering. There is no penalty for wrong answers — always answer every question.

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Sources: ETS Praxis Elementary Education (7001) Study Companion (official PDF, praxis.ets.org/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-ets-praxisLibrary/default/pdfs/7001.pdf); ETS 7001 series test page (praxis.ets.org); National Science Education Standards (NSES) — National Academy of Sciences; National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards and position statements; Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); National Academy of Sciences — A Framework for K–12 Science Education. 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: June 22, 2026