The Praxis Social Studies Content Knowledge exam is designed by ETS for prospective secondary school social studies teachers. It covers six subject domains including United States history, world history, government, civics, geography, economics, and behavioral sciences. Candidates must answer 130 selected-response questions during a 120-minute computer-delivered test session to demonstrate their proficiency in these academic areas. The exam requires a deep understanding of historical events, political theories, and social science principles to meet the professional standards expected of educators in the field.
Individuals seeking certification as a beginning teacher of social studies in secondary schools should take this exam. Candidates demonstrate content knowledge across history, civics, economics, geography, and behavioral sciences to meet professional standards for licensure.
Review historical timelines, political theories, economic principles, and geographic data sources. Use practice questions and interactive tests to assess your understanding across all six domains. Check with ETS for the current certification path and official guidelines before your test date to ensure you are ready for the exam requirements and specific content expectations.
This domain covers North American peoples prior to European colonization, major colonial developments, the American Revolution, the drafting of the Constitution, territorial expansion, sectionalism, the Civil War, industrialization, and major twentieth-century conflicts throughout the history of the United States.
This section examines classical civilizations, major transformations from invasions and trade, the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, global interactions, revolutions, imperialism, and post-Cold War developments in world history throughout the examination period for all prospective social studies teachers.
This domain focuses on political theory, major political theorists, political orientations, United States government institutions, constitutional underpinnings, civil liberties, comparative politics, and international relations across the selected-response items on the test to measure your grasp of civic structures.
This section explores map types, spatial perspectives, mental maps, spatial patterns, geographic data sources, physical processes, ecosystems, human-environment interactions, natural resources, and cultural patterns evaluated in the computer-delivered test session to ensure proficiency in global geographic concepts.
This domain addresses microeconomics, scarcity, supply and demand, market efficiency, macroeconomics, measures of economic performance, monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and economic growth tested across the various exam questions provided to assess your understanding of financial systems.
This section analyzes how society and groups influence human behavior, the impact of culture, human adaptation, diversity, learning, personal identity, and psychological approaches across the testing period for all candidates seeking to demonstrate their knowledge of behavioral science.
Arrive at the testing center prepared for your 120-minute computer-delivered test containing 130 selected-response questions. Manage your testing time effectively across all six content categories to ensure you complete every section before the timer expires.
The exam contains exactly 130 selected-response questions distributed across six subject domains designed to test your knowledge of social studies content for secondary education and ensure you meet the required standards for professional licensure.
The passing score for the exam varies by state or agency. Candidates must check with their specific state certification requirements to determine the necessary score for licensure and professional practice in their region.
The exam has a strict duration of 120 minutes and is delivered via computer at designated testing centers. Plan your time accordingly to address all questions and complete the assessment within the allotted period.
The test covers United States History, World History, Government, Civics, Political Science, Geography, Economics, and Behavioral Sciences. These domains represent the core knowledge required for teachers to succeed in the classroom.
Verified 2026-09-13
This page was built using official ETS exam documentation and detailed study guides outlining test domains, question counts, and duration for the certification to provide accurate information for all candidates.