Praxis Earth and Space Sciences study guide
Praxis Earth and Space Sciences · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Praxis Earth and Space Sciences assessment is a subject test used by states and educator-preparation programs as one piece of evidence that a candidate has the content knowledge to teach Earth and space science at the secondary level. Most candidates are pre-service teachers finishing a geoscience, geology, or science-education program, career changers with a science degree, or certified teachers adding an endorsement. The Praxis Earth and Space Sciences study guide has 7 sections and about 2,313 words.
01Earth's Structure and History
This domain tests Earth's compositional and mechanical layers, seismic evidence for internal structure, and the principles used to reconstruct geologic time. Compositional layers are crust (oceanic basalt, continental granite), mantle (silicate rock), and core (iron-nickel).
308 words, about 2 min02Earth Materials and Surface Processes
This domain tests minerals, the three rock classes, weathering and erosion, and the landforms produced by streams, groundwater, glaciers, wind, and mass wasting. A mineral is naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, crystalline, and has a definite composition or range.
292 words, about 1 min03Oceanography and the Hydrosphere
This domain tests seawater properties, ocean circulation, waves and tides, coastal processes, groundwater, and the water cycle. Seawater averages about 35 psu salinity.
352 words, about 2 min04Meteorology and the Atmosphere
This domain tests atmospheric structure and composition, energy transfer, humidity, stability, clouds, air masses and fronts, severe weather, global circulation, and climate. The troposphere contains most weather and cools with altitude.
348 words, about 2 min05Astronomy and the Solar System
This domain tests solar system formation, planetary characteristics, orbital mechanics, the Earth-Moon-Sun system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. The nebular hypothesis explains the solar system's formation from a collapsing, rotating cloud.
351 words, about 2 min06Earth-Space Systems and Interactions
This domain tests how solar energy, the magnetosphere, space weather, climate forcing, and Earth's orbital cycles interact with Earth's systems. The Sun radiates shortwave energy.
330 words, about 2 min07Scientific Inquiry, Data Analysis, and Instruction
This domain tests experimental design, measurement quality, data interpretation, and evidence-based classroom instruction. Inquiry proceeds through observation, question, hypothesis, prediction, experiment, analysis, conclusion, and peer review.
332 words, about 2 min