Praxis 5005
Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects - Science Subtest (5005)
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
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ExploreCommon mistakes
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ExploreAbout this exam
Praxis 5005 is the science subtest of Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001), the licensure assessment used for a generalist elementary school license covering English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Candidates typically take all four subtests - 5002, 5003, 5004, and 5005 - and ETS lists the combined 5001 package at $180.00. The science subtest samples the science content a classroom teacher is expected to explain: Earth and space science, life science, physical science, and the science, engineering, and technology practices that connect them. Expect questions that ask you to interpret data tables, diagrams, and simple investigations rather than to recall isolated definitions, because elementary teachers must reason about phenomena aloud with children. Preparation works best in three passes: audit your weakest content area, rebuild it with a conceptually organized review rather than flashcards alone, then practice explaining each idea in plain language suitable for a child. Confirm your own state's requirements before registering, since states set which tests they accept and what score they require. ETS has announced new Elementary Education Fundamentals tests launching Spring 2026 and has not stated how that affects 5001 or its subtests, so verify the current test listing before you schedule.
What you'll study
About Praxis 5005 preparation
What exactly is Praxis 5005?
It is the science subtest inside Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005), described by ETS for a generalist elementary school license to teach English, mathematics, social studies, and science. It is one of four subtests, not a standalone science endorsement exam.
How much does it cost?
ETS lists the combined Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) at $180.00. The source does not publish a separate price for taking 5005 alone, so confirm the current fee and whether single-subtest registration is offered before you pay.
How long is the test and how many questions?
The available source material does not state the 5005 item count or testing time, so treat any specific number you encounter online with suspicion. Check the current ETS test listing and Information Bulletin for the authoritative format before you build a pacing plan around a figure.
What score do I need to pass?
Passing scores are set by states and agencies, not by the subtest itself, so the number differs depending on where you are seeking licensure. Use the ETS state requirements lookup for your state, and confirm whether your state accepts the combined 5001 score or requires each subtest score separately.
What content should I study, and in what order?
The subtest draws on Earth and space science, life science, physical science, and science, engineering, and technology. Start with the area where your coursework is thinnest, since all four carry comparable weight in the blueprint. Then practice data interpretation and experimental design, which cross all four areas.
Is the science subtest hard for non-science majors?
It is designed for generalist elementary candidates, not science specialists, so the difficulty is breadth rather than depth. The usual failure pattern is uneven coverage: strong life science knowledge paired with rusty physical science or Earth science. A short diagnostic across all four areas prevents that surprise.
Can I retake it, and is there a waiting period?
Retake rules, waiting periods, and fees are set by ETS and are not stated in the available source, so verify them in the current Praxis Information Bulletin before assuming a timeline. Build in slack: if you may need a second attempt, register early enough that a retake still lands before your licensure deadline.
Will the Spring 2026 Elementary Education Fundamentals tests replace 5005?
ETS announces new Elementary Education Fundamentals tests launching Spring 2026, but the source does not say whether or how 5001 and its subtests 5002–5005 are replaced. Before registering or buying prep materials, confirm with ETS and your state agency which test is currently accepted.
What are the most common mistakes candidates make?
Three recur: memorizing vocabulary without being able to explain a phenomenon, skipping engineering and technology practices because they feel unfamiliar, and misreading graphs or experimental setups under time pressure. Practice describing each concept in plain language a child could follow, and rehearse interpreting tables rather than recalling definitions.