Social Studies: Content Knowledge - ETS Home

1 Social studies : Content Knowledge Praxis Study Companion2 The Praxis Study CompanionWelcome to the Praxis Study CompanionWelcome to the Praxis Study Companion Prepare to Show What You KnowYou have been working to acquire the Knowledge and skills you need for your teaching career. Now you are ready to demonstrate your abilities by taking a Praxis test. Using the Praxis Study Companion is a smart way to prepare for the test so you can do your best on test day. This guide can help keep you on track and make the most efficient use of your study Study Companion contains practical information and helpful tools, including: An overview of the Praxis tests Specific information on the Praxis test you are taking A template study plan Study topics Practice questions and explanations of correct answers Test-taking tips and strategies Frequently asked questions Links to more detailed informationSo where should you start?

2 Begin by reviewing this guide in its entirety and note those sections that you need to revisit. Then you can create your own personalized study plan and schedule based on your individual needs and how much time you have before test in mind that study habits are individual. There are many different ways to successfully prepare for your test. Some people study better on their own, while others prefer a group dynamic. You may have more energy early in the day, but another test taker may concentrate better in the evening. So use this guide to develop the approach that works best for teaching career begins with preparation. Good luck!Know What to ExpectWhich tests should I take? Each state or agency that uses the Praxis tests sets its own requirements for which test or tests you must take for the teaching area you wish to you register for a test, confirm your state or agency s testing requirements at are the Praxis tests given?

3 Praxis tests are given on computer. Other formats are available for test takers approved for accommodations (see page 41).3 The Praxis Study CompanionWelcome to the Praxis Study CompanionWhat should I expect when taking the test on computer?When taking the test on computer, you can expect to be asked to provide proper identification at the test center. Once admitted, you will be given the opportunity to learn how the computer interface works (how to answer questions, how to skip questions, how to go back to questions you skipped, etc.) before the testing time begins. Watch the What to Expect on Test Day video to see what the experience is and when are the Praxis tests offered?You can select the test center that is most convenient for you.

4 The Praxis tests are administered through an international network of test centers, which includes Prometric Testing Centers, some universities, and other locations throughout the schedules may differ, so see the Praxis web site for more detailed test registration information at The Praxis Study Companion4 Table of ContentsTable of ContentsThe Praxis Study Companion guides you through the steps to success1. Learn About Your Test ..5 Learn about the specific test you will be taking2. Familiarize Yourself with Test Questions ..9 Become comfortable with the types of questions you ll find on the Praxis tests3. Practice with Sample Test Questions ..13 Answer practice questions and find explanations for correct answers4. Determine Your Strategy for Success.

5 23 Set clear goals and deadlines so your test preparation is focused and efficient5. Develop Your Study Plan ..26 Develop a personalized study plan and schedule6. Review Study Topics ..30 Review study topics with questions for discussion7. Review Smart Tips for Success ..39 Follow test-taking tips developed by experts8. Check on Testing Accommodations ..41 See if you qualify for accommodations that may make it easier to take the Praxis test9. Do Your Best on Test Day ..42 Get ready for test day so you will be calm and confident10. Understand Your Scores ..44 Understand how tests are scored and how to interpret your test scoresAppendix: Other Questions You May Have ..46 The Praxis Study Companion5 Step 1: Learn About Your Test1. Learn About Your TestLearn about the specific test you will be takingSocial studies : Content Knowledge (5081)Test at a GlanceTest Name Social studies : Content KnowledgeTest Code 5081 Time 2 hoursNumber of Questions 130 Format Selected-response questionsTest Delivery Computer delivered Approximate Approximate Content Categories Number of Percentage of Questions Examination I.

6 United States History 26 20% II. World History 26 20% III. Government/Civics/Political Science 26 20% IV. Geography 19 15% V. Economics 20 15% VI. Behavioral Sciences 13 10%VIVIVIIIIIIA bout This TestThe Social studies : Content Knowledge test is designed to determine whether an examinee has the Knowledge and skills necessary for a beginning teacher of Social studies in a secondary school. The test is aligned to the National Council for the Social studies (NCSS) National Standards for Social studies Teachers. The test requires the examinee to understand and apply Social studies Knowledge , concepts, methodologies, and skills across the fields of United States history; world history; government/civics/political science; geography; economics; and the behavioral science fields of sociology, anthropology, and number of the questions are interdisciplinary, reflecting the complex relationships among the Social studies fields.

7 Answering the questions correctly requires knowing, interpreting, and integrating history and Social science facts and concepts. The 130 equally weighted selected-response questions consist of no more than 60 percent Knowledge , recall, and/or recognition questions and no less than 40 percent higher-order thinking questions. Some questions are based on interpreting material such as written passages, maps, charts, graphs, tables, cartoons, diagrams, and photographs. Between 10 and 15 percent of the questions contain Content reflecting the diverse experiences of people in the United States as related to gender, culture, and/or race, and/or Content relating to Latin America, Africa, Asia, or test may contain some questions that will not count toward your : This examination uses the chronological designations (before the common era) and (common era).

8 These labels correspond to (before Christ) and (anno Domini), which are used in some world history Praxis Study Companion6 Step 1: Learn About Your TestI. United States HistoryA. Understands basic North american geography, peoples, and cultures prior to European colonizationB. Understands how and why European colonies in North America were founded and developedC. Understands how European, African, and Native american peoples interacted in North America during the colonial periodD. Understands the origins of the american Revolution and its impact on the founding of the United StatesE. Understands the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the context that led to their writing and adoption, and their impact on the political development of the early United StatesF.

9 Understands the causes and consequences of territorial expansion of the United StatesG. Understands the causes and consequences of nineteenth-century sectionalism, the Civil War, and ReconstructionH. Understands the relationships among industrialization, urbanization, and immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuriesI. Understands the political, economic, Social , and cultural developments from the Progressive Era through the New DealJ. Understands the causes of United States participation in the First and Second World Wars and the consequences of the wars at home and abroadK. Understands the origins, development, and consequences of the Cold War both abroad and domesticallyL. Understands the impact of Social , economic, and technological changes in the latter half of the twentieth century ( , counterculture, globalization, information age)M.

10 Understands the political realignment from the New Deal and the Great Society through the rise of conservatismN. Understands the ongoing impact of race, gender, and ethnicity throughout american historyO. Understands how participants in the political process ( , presidents, the judiciary, Congress, political parties) engage in politics and shape policyP. Understands the emergence of the United States as a world power and the evolving role of the United States in the worldQ. Understands the influence of religion throughout american historyR. Understands major economic transformations that occurred in the United States ( , changes in technology, business, and labor)S. Understands the causes and consequences of changing patterns of immigration to the United States and internal migration within the United StatesT.