English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038) Practice Tests
Adaptive practice questions aligned to the official Praxis blueprint. Track mastery domain-by-domain and know exactly where to focus before test day.
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1 / 10English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038): Test at a Glance
Facts as published by the official test program.
The English Language Arts: Content Knowledge test (5038) is one of the Praxis assessments from ETS, which many states and educator preparation programs use for licensure.
Measures whether prospective secondary school English language arts teachers have the knowledge needed for competent practice. Aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
Passing scores are set by each state or agency that requires the test, so confirm the score you need with your state or program before you register.
English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038): Exam Blueprint
Content categories and approximate weighting from the official test framework.
1. Reading
38% · 49 questions2. Language Use and Vocabulary
25% · 33 questions3. Writing, Speaking, and Listening
37% · 48 questionsStudy Guide by Category
Use this section to plan your study time. Each topic comes from the official content categories for Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038).
Category I · Reading
49 questions · 38%- Major works, authors and contexts Authors and titles of major U.S., British, world (including non-Western) and Young Adult works of fiction, poetry, drama and literary nonfiction, and the historical, cultural and literary context of each.
- Genres and forms Defining characteristics of the primary genres and of major forms within them (for example sonnet versus ballad, satire versus realism), and correct terminology such as stanza versus paragraph.
- Reading and analyzing literature Using textual evidence for literal and inferential interpretations, tracing how themes develop, and how literary elements, figurative language and poetic devices shape meaning.
- Strategies and theory Research-based reading instruction (activating prior knowledge, modeling metacognition, active reading) and literary theories such as reader-response and feminist criticism.
Category II · Language Use and Vocabulary
33 questions · 25%- Grammar, usage, syntax and mechanics Function of the parts of speech, clauses, phrases and sentence structures, identifying errors (inconsistent tense, non-parallel structure, fragments, run-ons) and justifying choices such as colon versus semicolon or its versus it's.
- Word meaning and reference tools Using affixes, context and syntax to determine word meaning, and print and digital reference materials.
- Dialect, diction and language acquisition Variation across regions, cultural groups and time periods, and research-based approaches to language acquisition and vocabulary for diverse learners.
Category III · Writing, Speaking, and Listening
48 questions · 37%- Modes, purpose and audience Characteristics of informative, argumentative and narrative writing, and how task, purpose and audience shape form and tone.
- Clear writing and research What makes writing coherent (supporting details, organization, conventions), plus ethical research: judging source credibility, gathering information and citing accurately.
- Speaking, listening and digital media Components of effective speech, presentation and oral communication in one-on-one and group settings, and teaching students to use digital media to communicate.
- Teaching and assessing Research-based approaches to teaching writing, purposes and methods of assessing reading, writing, speaking and listening, and bringing students' varied cultures and perspectives into instruction.
Registration, Test Day and Scoring
- Retake wait
- At least 28 days between attempts
- Refund requests
- Must reach ETS 3+ days before the test
- Arrival at a test center
- 30 minutes before your appointment
How to Register
- 1Confirm what your state requires
Required tests and passing scores vary by state and program. Check yours before you pay, because the score you need decides how much preparation is enough.
- 2Create your Praxis account
Register at praxis.ets.org. Enter your first and last name exactly as they appear on the ID you will bring, with no nicknames or abbreviations.
- 3Pick your test, date and location
Choose a test center or, for tests that offer it, an at-home appointment. Tests are scheduled by appointment and not every test is offered year round, so look at dates early.
- 4Choose your score recipients
Up to four recipients are free at registration. If you add your college or university, list it as a recipient or it will not receive your report. You can add or change recipients up to 3 days before your test date.
Fees
$130. This is a selected-response test, which carries the base Praxis fee. ETS may offer fee waivers to eligible test takers, so check its fees and waivers page before you pay. A refund request must reach ETS at least 3 days before your test date. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount when you register.
Test day
At a test center, report at least 30 minutes before your appointment. If you arrive after your scheduled testing time you will not be allowed to test and you forfeit your fee.
Bring valid, acceptable ID. The first and last name on your registration must exactly match your ID, so fix any mismatch before test day.
At home, no mobile devices, notes, textbooks, recording devices or headsets are allowed. Screen-sharing and remote-access software must be turned off for the whole test, and you may only communicate with the proctor. Breaking these rules can cancel your test without a refund.
Most tests have no scheduled break, but at home you may take a short unscheduled break.
Live test content is confidential. Do not discuss or share questions online, in study groups or in classrooms.
Scoring
Passing scores are set by each state or agency, not by ETS. ETS publishes the required scores by state on its passing scores page.
Official score reporting dates vary by test. When your scores are ready you get an email, and the report stays in your online account for ten years. Download a copy for your records.
Some tests show an unofficial score at the end of the session. Before you see it, the computer lets you report or cancel the score. Once you have viewed it, it cannot be canceled, and a canceled score is not refunded or reinstated.
Four score recipients are free. Sending reports to additional institutions or agencies costs extra.
Who Takes the Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)?
Prospective teachers. For those preparing to teach English language arts in secondary school. The content is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
Candidates whose state or program requires it. Not every state requires test 5038, so confirm with your state or program before you register.
How to Prepare for English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)
- 1Start with the free Study Companion
ETS publishes a free Study Companion for test 5038. It lists every content topic and includes sample questions with explanations. Read it first and note the topics you cannot yet explain.
- 2Study by category weight
Give the most time to Reading (about 38%), but cover every category.
- 3Reading is the largest category
Reading is about 38% of the test and covers literature from many periods. Build a reading list across U.S., British, world and Young Adult works rather than relying on one survey course.
- 4Practice with passages
Questions ask you to support interpretations with textual evidence, so practice reading short poems and prose excerpts and naming the device, theme or tone before looking at the choices.
- 5Leave room for a retake
You must wait at least 28 days between attempts, so book your first attempt early enough that a second one still fits your licensing deadline.
English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038): Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English Language Arts: Content Knowledge test cover?+
Measures whether prospective secondary school English language arts teachers have the knowledge needed for competent practice. Aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What is the passing score for English Language Arts: Content Knowledge?+
There is no single national passing score. Each state or agency that requires the test sets its own, and ETS lists them by state on its Praxis passing scores page.
How much does the English Language Arts: Content Knowledge test cost?+
$130. Fees can change and fee waivers may be available, so confirm on the official Praxis site.
How soon can I retake a Praxis test?+
At least 28 days after the previous attempt. For example, if you test on the 1st of the month, the earliest retake date is the 29th.
What happens if I arrive late?+
At a test center you must report at least 30 minutes early. If you arrive after your scheduled testing time you are not allowed to test and you forfeit your fee.
Can I cancel my score?+
On tests that show an unofficial score, you can choose to cancel before you view it. Once viewed, it cannot be canceled, and a canceled score is not refunded or reinstated.
Ready to practice for English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)?
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Start Practice Free →Sources: Official Praxis Study Companion for test 5038 (PDF); Praxis passing scores by state; Praxis fees and waivers; How to register for Praxis; Getting your Praxis scores. Always confirm current requirements, fees and passing scores with the official program before you register.
ApexTeachersPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
About the Authors
Written by
Craig John
Content Development Lead, M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, B.S. in Mathematics Education
Steve John, bringing over ten years of experience in SEO content strategy, educational content development, and exam preparation. He specializes in creating clear, comprehensive, and search-optimized learning resources that help candidates prepare for certification and teacher licensure exams, including Praxis, GACE, and other educator assessments.
Reviewed by
Sarah Mitchell
Exam Strategy & Praxis Core Specialist, M.A. Literacy Education, B.S. Elementary Education
Sarah Mitchell brings 15 years of experience in literacy education and exam preparation. As a former literacy coach and Praxis Core specialist, she has helped over 1,000 candidates master the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics domains. Her expertise in test-taking strategies and comprehensive exam analysis makes her an invaluable resource for any educator.