Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge Practice Test and Prep

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Welcome to our Praxis®️ Social Studies Content Knowledge (5081) practice test and prep page. On this page, we outline the domains and key concepts for the Praxis®️ Social Studies Content Knowledge exam. It is a free resource we provide so you can see how prepared you are to take the official exam.

While this free guide outlines the competencies and domains found on the exam, our paid Praxis®️ Social Studies Content Knowledge study guide covers EVERY concept you need to know and is set up to ensure your success! Our online Praxis®️ Social Studies Content Knowledge study guide provides test-aligned study material using interactive aids, videos, flash cards, quizzes and practice tests.

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If you use this guide and research the key concepts on the Praxis®️ Social Studies Content Knowledge exam on your own, it’s possible you will pass, but why take that chance? With our paid study guide, we guarantee you will pass.

Not ready to start studying yet? That’s OK. Keep reading, and when you’re ready, take our free Praxis®️ Social Studies Content Knowledge practice tests.

In this article, we will cover:

• Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge Test Information
• Category I: United States History
• Category II: World History
• Category III: Government/Civics/Political Science
• Category IV: Geography
• Category V: Economics
• Category VI: Behavioral Sciences

Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge Test Information

Overview

The Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge test assesses understanding of social studies content knowledge. Many states use this assessment as a requirement for a person’s teaching licensing and certification to be complete.

The Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge is a computer-based assessment covering 6 content areas, ranging from United States History to World History to Behavioral Sciences. The entire test is selected-response questions with a total of 130 given in the allotted time of 2 hours. Each content area is broken down in the chart below with the approximate number of questions for each category.

Cost: 

$130

Scoring: 

The score needed to pass varies from state to state, ranging from 146-162. You can search for your state’s passing score here.

Study time: 

The amount of study time you need will depend on many factors, including your educational history, subject background, and how comfortable you are with a test-taking environment. In general, we recommend people spend 1 to 3 months studying.

What test takers wish they’d done: 

• Taken several practice tests to get an idea of the format
• Created a study plan
• Kept track of time during the test
• Created a pacing plan

Information obtained from the ETS Praxis®️ website.

Category I: United States History

Overview

This content category has 26 selected-response questions. These questions account for 20% of the entire Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam.

So, let’s talk about some key concepts you are more than likely going to see in

this content category.

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined by God to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent. There was a large increase in immigration which caused the US population to expand rapidly in the first half of the 19th century. This population growth led to economic depression which forced Americans westward in search of new land and opportunities. The expansion west often led to policies that subjugated Native American cultures and promulgated the loss of Native American lands.

The Louisiana Purchase played a large role in the expansion of the United States. The purchase nearly doubled the size of the country. Napoleon Bonaparte sold the vast territory dubbed the western watershed of the Mississippi River (827,000 square miles) to the United States for $15,000,000 in 1803 to pay for his European war against Great Britain. Americans sought new opportunities in Louisiana as well as some moving to Texas. Ultimately Texas joined the United States and the idea of the United States expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean was inevitable.

Civil War

The Civil War occurred from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern (Union) and Southern (Confederate) states. The North and South had major contrasting opinions on economic issues; specifically, the North wanted economic expansion which would change the South (slave-holding) way of life.

Impact of the Civil War: The Homestead Act was passed which allowed people to settle and farm land in the west without the help of slavery. The Pacific Railroad Act was passed as well which promoted the construction of a transcontinental railroad. The Great Migration of freed slaves north into cities.

Populism Versus Progressivism

Populism and Progressivism are both movements started by the people based on their dissatisfaction with the current government and its inability to address problems. Both groups began to propose a comprehensive plan of political reforms to help people.

Category II: World History

Overview

This content category has 26 selected-response questions. These questions account for 20% of the entire Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam.

So, let’s talk about some key concepts you are more than likely going to see in

this content category.

The Roman Empire

This article describes the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, including its successes and failures as well as its contributions to the development of the western society.

The Caste System

The word “caste” is used to describe the division of societies based on hereditary groups. Specifically in India, four categories were created to organize society along economic and occupational lines. The categories were spiritual leaders and teachers (Brahmins), warriors and nobility (Kshatriyas), merchants and producers (Vaishyas), and laborers (Sudras). Physical contact between groups was prohibited.

The caste system is associated with Hinduism and was most prevalent in India; however, it has been outlawed (although its presence is still felt).

Globalism

Globalization encompasses the technological, political, economic, and cultural exchanges between people and nations to further the interconnectedness and interdependence of the world. This link explains the emergence of global culture in the late twentieth century, including its major elements and consequences.

Category III: Government/Civics/Political Science

Overview

This content category has 26 selected-response questions. These questions account for 20% of the entire Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledgeexam.

So, let’s talk about some key concepts you are more than likely going to see in

this content category.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Marbury v. Madison, 1803

This case established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review over Congress, ultimately giving the Supreme Court the power to interpret the constitution. It helped define the boundaries between the executive and judicial branches of the government.

McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

This case established the federal government’s implied powers over states. The state of Maryland began imposing a tax on all banknotes not charted by Maryland banks, but the Supreme court ruled this unconstitutional because it was an attempt to violate the powers of the federal government.

Brown v. Board of Education,1954

This case established that “separate but equal” had no place in the public education system, ending segregation in schools.

Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963

This case established the right of a criminal defendant to have an attorney even if they could not personally afford one.

Miranda v. Arizona, 1966

This case established the requirement that police must advise people in custody of their rights before questioning them, hence the creation of the Miranda Rights.

Loving v. Virginia, 1967

This case established laws that forbid interracial marriages as unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.

Roe v. Wade, 1973

Ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.

United States v. Nixon, 1974

This case established that sitting Presidents could not use their executive powers to withhold evidence during a criminal investigation.

Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015 

Ruled that state bans on same-sex marriage and on recognizing same-sex marriages duly performed in other jurisdictions are unconstitutional under the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Chambers of Congress

The two chambers of Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives. The major differences between the two chambers are listed below.

Expectations and Benefits of Citizenship

Being a citizen of the United States comes with certain legal obligations and expectations. A citizen is required to obey the law, serve as a juror if called, and pay taxes.

Citizens are also expected to be informed on issues and vote in elections, volunteer in their community, and serve in the military if they are interested. However, voter turnout tends to be low in young voters and high in older voters.

Being a good citizen also means following cultural expectations: picking up trash and not littering, being kind to neighbors and strangers, and performing other duties of a good citizen.

Sometimes citizens are expected to forgo their rights in order to maintain order for the common good. For example, citizens are guaranteed the right to assemble and protest, but performing said assembly in the middle of a U.S. highway is dangerous. Citizens may forfeit the right to assemble in order to maintain the common good and order.

Category IV: Geography

Overview

This content category has 19 selected-response questions. These questions account for 15% of the entire Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam.

So, let’s talk about some key concepts you are more than likely going to see in  this content category.

Weather Versus Climate

Weather is the day-to-day, short-term state of the atmosphere including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind. Climate is the typical weather pattern in a given region over a long period of time.

Ecosystems

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and nonliving components interacting in a given environment. It is important to understand how an ecosystem operates because the interactions are all linked. Anything that impacts one aspect of an ecosystem will ultimately impact the other aspects of the ecosystem. Humans often disrupt natural ecosystems with small actions that turn into large effects.

Disrupting An Ecosystem

The overfishing of sharks can have catastrophic effects on reef ecosystems. By removing the top-level predator, the food it normally eats thrives and then over-populates. This disrupts the whole reef ecosystem and, if the balance is not restored, the ecosystem can collapse. This means it is important for humans to consider the consequences of their actions and do their best to change their behaviors when problems are identified.

Population Pyramids

A population pyramid shows the percentage of male and female age ranges in a given area. Above is an example of a population period of Italy in 2015. It shows the male population in blue and female population in pink. The age ranges are listed on the y-axis. While the percentage allocation is given on the x-axis.

Category V: Economics

Overview

This content category has 20 selected-response questions. These questions account for 15% of the entire Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam.

So, let’s talk about some key concepts you are more than likely going to see in

this content category.

Basic Economics Terms

Supply and Demand

• Supply- the amount of goods or services available to the public.
• Demand- desire of customers wanting the goods or services.
• Supply and demand have a relationship dependent on one another ultimately regulating prices

Cost-Benefit Analysis

• A process that assesses the relation between the cost of the undertaking and the value of the resulting benefits, leading to an economic decision.

Opportunity Cost

• The loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. Simply put, the most desirable alternative in the decision-making process.
• Example- if you spend time and money going to see a movie, you can’t spend that time at home, and you can’t spend that money somewhere else

Incentive

• A way to encourage specific actions or behaviors by a specific group of people during a defined period of time
  • Examples: tax incentives, subsidies, tax rebates

Money Supply

• Total amount of money in circulation or in existence in the country

Interest Rates

• Proportion of the loan that is charged as a fee to the borrower as permission for acquiring the loan.

Inflation

• A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money

Unemployment Rate

• Percentage of unemployed workers in the total labor force

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve System acts as the United States central bank. Its major functions are to provide and maintain an effective payments system, supervise and regulate banking operations, and conduct monetary policy.

Check out this website for detailed information regarding the Federal Reserve System.

Trade

Nations trade for various reasons. The main reason for trade is that the country does not have the resources or capacity to satisfy their country’s own needs and wants so they look to other countries who do. Another reason is that imports may be cheaper or of better quality when made in a different country. These goods may also be easily available or more appealing than locally produced goods.

Trade dates back 9,000 years, but today international trade is responsible for the development and prosperity of the modern industrialized world. International trade allows nations to benefit in regards to increased revenue and decreased competition. International trade can also allow nations to dispose of surplus goods while benefiting from currency exchange. Trade is a vital component in the interdependence of the global economy.

Category VI: Behavioral Sciences

Overview

This content category has 13 selected-response questions. These questions account for 10% of the entire Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam.

So, let’s talk about some key concepts you are more than likely going to see in this content category.

Major Theoretical Perspectives

Functionalism

• All aspects of society serve a purpose and all of those aspects are indispensable for the long-term survival of society, instead of for aesthetic or superficial purposes.

Conflict

• Society is in a state of conflict because of competition of limited resources
• Social order is maintained by wealth and power
• Individuals and groups within a society work solely for their own benefit

Social

• Society is a human construction
• Aims to determine what role human awareness plays in social action, situations, and worlds

Interactionism

• The theory that there are two entities, mind and body, each of which can have an effect on the other.

Concepts of Culture

Culture is the set of traditions, rules, and symbols that shape our feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of groups of people. Below is a list of components that influence culture.

• Language- a way to communicate with others
• Values- ideas people share as good/bad, desirable/undesirable
• Norms- concepts and behaviors seen as normal
• Symbols –a physical manifestation that signifies the ideology of a particular culture

   

• Artifacts – human creations that give information about the people of said culture.

Theories of Intelligence

General Intelligence

• Analysis of mental aptitude tests led to the theory that people who performed well on one cognitive test tended to perform well on other tests
• Concluded that intelligence is a general cognitive ability that can be measured and numerically expressed

Primary Mental Abilities

• Did not view intelligence as a single, general ability, rather one that focuses on seven different primary mental abilities: verbal comprehension, reasoning, perceptual speed, numerical ability, word fluency, associative memory, and spatial visualization

Multiple Intelligences

• Proposed that the numerical expression of human intelligence, such as in the IQ test, are not a full and accurate overview of a person’s ability
• Describes that 8 types of intelligence based on skills and abilities that are valued in different cultures: visual, verbal, physical, logical, interpersonal, and musical

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

• Agrees with Primary Mental Abilities Theory, but viewed types of intelligence as individual talents
• Proposed “successful intelligence” which involves 3 different factors: analytical, creative, and practical intelligence

And that’s some basic info about the exam about the Praxis®️ Social Studies: Content Knowledge exam.

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