240's FTCE Social Science 6-12 Study Guide Is 97% Test-Aligned
240's FTCE Social Science 6-12 study guide is built around the official exam framework so you can study what is actually tested. This page shows exactly how the guide maps to the real exam — SMR by SMR and competency by competency — so you can see where coverage is strongest, where some depth gaps remain, and how each part of the guide supports your prep.
Why Test Alignment Matters for Your FTCE Social Science 6-12 Study Guide
Certification test standards are broad, but the exam questions are very specific. Our team of curriculum experts uses the 240 Study Guide Creation Process to ensure the most aligned, specific content for your FTCE Social Science 6-12 (037) test — so you are not wasting time on broad subject review that may not show up on exam day.
- Built around the official exam framework
- Organized by the competencies actually used on the exam
- Shows exactly what is covered and where depth is partial
- Includes aligned questions, flashcards, study materials, and videos
- Helps candidates study what is actually tested instead of broad generic content
How to Read This Alignment Review
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Apply the six essential elements of geography. | Themes of Geography | Covered | 8 | 1 | 7 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (8 questions, 1 materials, 7 cards, 1 videos). |
| 2. Identify the ways natural processes and human-environment interactions shape the Earth's physical systems and features. | Types of Physical Features - Elementary; The Earth's Significant Physical Features; Earth's Physical Systems; Natural Forces; Human-Environment Interaction | Covered | 66 | 5 | 41 | 1 | Covered by 5 topics (66 questions, 5 materials, 41 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Identify the ways natural processes and human-environment interactions shape cultural features (e.g., communities, language, technology, political and economic institutions). | Basic Concepts of Culture; Government and Culture; Impacts of Human Innovations | Covered | 29 | 3 | 16 | 2 | Covered by 3 topics (29 questions, 3 materials, 16 cards, 2 videos). |
| 4. Analyze geographic information from maps, charts, and graphs. | Using Maps; Mapping Tools | Covered | 31 | 2 | 10 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (31 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 1 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Analyze how scarcity and opportunity cost influence choices about how to allocate resources. | Basic Economic Concepts; Scarcity and Opportunity Cost; Types of Economic Resources | Covered | 59 | 3 | 14 | 2 | Covered by 3 topics (59 questions, 3 materials, 14 cards, 2 videos). |
| 2. Identify how economic systems (e.g., market, command, traditional) answer the three basic economic questions. | Basic Economic Concepts; Economic Systems; Free-Enterprise System | Covered | 53 | 3 | 18 | 2 | Covered by 3 topics (53 questions, 3 materials, 18 cards, 2 videos). |
| 3. Analyze the interaction of supply and demand in determining production, distribution, and consumption. | Supply and Demand; Production-Possibilities Curves; Diminishing Marginal Returns; Market Supply and Demand; Elasticity | Covered | 49 | 5 | 18 | 1 | Covered by 5 topics (49 questions, 5 materials, 18 cards, 1 videos). |
| 4. Analyze how macroeconomic factors (e.g., national income, employment, price stability) influence the performance of economic systems. | Types of Unemployment; Effects of Inflation; Gross National Product; National Debt | Covered | 25 | 4 | 15 | 0 | Covered by 4 topics (25 questions, 4 materials, 15 cards, 0 videos). |
| 5. Evaluate the roles of government, central banking systems, and specialized institutions (e.g., corporations, labor unions, banks, stock markets) in market and command economies. | Key Economic Institutions; Measures of Economic Activity - Govt Intervention; Federal Reserve System; Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Economic Development | Covered | 37 | 5 | 16 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (37 questions, 5 materials, 16 cards, 0 videos). |
| 6. Analyze the features of global economics (e.g., exchange rates, terms of trade, comparative advantage, less developed countries) in terms of their impact on national and international economic systems. | Key Global Economic Institutions; Interdependence of Nations; Currency; Currency Exchange Rates | Covered | 34 | 4 | 19 | 0 | Covered by 4 topics (34 questions, 4 materials, 19 cards, 0 videos). |
| 7. Evaluate the functions of budgeting, saving, and credit in a consumer economy. | Consumer Decisions; M.Financial Literacy | Covered | 17 | 2 | 10 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (17 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the features and principles of the U.S. Constitution, including its amendments, the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. | U.S. Constitutional Amendments; Federalism; Issues with Federalism; Structure and Functions of Federal Government; Evolution of 3 Branches; Constitutional Amendment Processes; Principles in Founding Documents; The Bill of Rights | Covered | 139 | 8 | 55 | 4 | Covered by 8 topics (139 questions, 8 materials, 55 cards, 4 videos). |
| 2. Identify the functions of U.S. political institutions, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. | Structure and Functions of Federal Government; Evolution of 3 Branches; Executive Offices; Supreme Court Processes; Enacting Laws | Covered | 72 | 5 | 34 | 1 | Covered by 5 topics (72 questions, 5 materials, 34 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Identify the effects of voter behavior, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, and mass media on the electoral process in the United States. | Modern Political Theories; U.S. Electoral Process; Components of the Democratic Process; Modern Components of the Democratic Process; Election Cycles | Covered | 52 | 5 | 18 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (52 questions, 5 materials, 18 cards, 0 videos). |
| 4. Identify the elements and functions of state and local governments in the United States. | Structure and Functions of State Governments | Partially covered | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Partial coverage by 1 topic (3 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 0 videos); limited supporting content. |
| 5. Analyze the guiding concepts, principles, and effects of U.S. foreign policy. | International Relations | Covered | 7 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (7 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| 6. Compare various political systems in terms of elements, structures, and functions. | Implications of Different Forms of Government; Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism | Covered | 47 | 2 | 24 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (47 questions, 2 materials, 24 cards, 1 videos). |
| 7. Analyze the key elements of U.S. citizenship, including rights, privileges, and responsibilities. | Fundamental Rights and Laws; Limits on Citizen Rights; Rights, Responsibilities and Freedoms; Expectations and Benefits of Citizenship; Naturalization Process | Covered | 58 | 5 | 14 | 1 | Covered by 5 topics (58 questions, 5 materials, 14 cards, 1 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify characteristics of prehistoric cultures and early civilizations (e.g., Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, Chinese). | Trends in Early Civilizations; Ancient Egypt; Mesopotamia; Ancient India; Ancient China | Covered | 70 | 5 | 34 | 2 | Covered by 5 topics (70 questions, 5 materials, 34 cards, 2 videos). |
| 2. Evaluate the influence of ancient civilizations (e.g., Greek, Roman, Indian, Chinese) on the evolution of modern civilization. | Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome; Kingdom of Kush; Ancient Hebrews; Ancient India; Ancient China | Covered | 67 | 6 | 40 | 3 | Covered by 6 topics (67 questions, 6 materials, 40 cards, 3 videos). |
| 3. Identify the major contributions of African, Asian, and Mesoamerican societies before 1500. | Ancient Japan; Ancient Africa; Native American Groups Pre-Colonization; Culture of the Pre-Columbian Americas; Maya, Inca, Aztec | Covered | 48 | 5 | 23 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (48 questions, 5 materials, 23 cards, 0 videos). |
| 4. Identify the major contributions of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation period to Western civilization. | Rise of Feudalism; Environment and Medieval Development; Printing Press; Scientific Revolution and the Renaissance; Reformation | Covered | 43 | 5 | 23 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (43 questions, 5 materials, 23 cards, 0 videos). |
| 5. Identify the social, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of African, Asian, and eastern European societies from 1500 to 1900. | India Pre Britain; Nineteenth Century Europe; Japanese Imperialism | Covered | 20 | 3 | 20 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (20 questions, 3 materials, 20 cards, 0 videos). |
| 6. Evaluate the significant scientific, intellectual, and philosophical contributions of the Age of Reason through the Age of Enlightenment. | Enlightenment | Covered | 15 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (15 questions, 1 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| 7. Identify the causes, effects, events, and significant individuals associated with the Age of Exploration. | French Imperialism; British Empire; China and European Attempted Colonization | Covered | 30 | 3 | 9 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (30 questions, 3 materials, 9 cards, 0 videos). |
| 8. Assess the social, political, and economic effects of the Industrial Revolution. | None | Coverage gap identified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No matching topic found in the study guide. |
| 9. Identify the causes, effects, events, and significant individuals associated with the Age of Revolution. | French Revolution and Napoleon; Revolutions of the Early 20th Century | Covered | 17 | 2 | 14 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (17 questions, 2 materials, 14 cards, 0 videos). |
| 10. Evaluate the impact of imperialism and nationalism on global social, political, geographic, and economic development. | British Empire; Nineteenth Century Europe; Japanese Imperialism | Covered | 26 | 3 | 20 | 0 | Covered by 3 topics (26 questions, 3 materials, 20 cards, 0 videos). |
| 11. Analyze the causes and effects of political transformations and military conflicts in the 20th century. | World War I V1; World War II V1; Rise of Japan and Germany Post World War II; Latin American Wars of Independence; The Cold War - Collapse of Soviet Union; Decolonization in Africa and Asia; Post-World War II India | Covered | 70 | 7 | 37 | 2 | Covered by 7 topics (70 questions, 7 materials, 37 cards, 2 videos). |
| 12. Analyze major contemporary global political, social, economic, and geographic issues and trends. | The Cold War; The Cold War - Divided Germany; Rise of Globalism; The European Union | Covered | 34 | 4 | 13 | 2 | Covered by 4 topics (34 questions, 4 materials, 13 cards, 2 videos). |
| 13. Identify major world religions and ideologies. | Religions of the World; Christianity in Early Europe; Great Schism; Growth of Islam; Communism and China | Covered | 37 | 5 | 27 | 0 | Covered by 5 topics (37 questions, 5 materials, 27 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Evaluate the impact of the Age of Exploration on the Americas. | European Exploration and Colonization V1 | Covered | 35 | 1 | 13 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (35 questions, 1 materials, 13 cards, 1 videos). |
| 2. Analyze the social, cultural, political, and economic development of the Americas during the colonial period. | European Exploration and Colonization V1; Colonial Period; French and Indian War; Thirteen Colonies | Covered | 73 | 4 | 37 | 3 | Covered by 4 topics (73 questions, 4 materials, 37 cards, 3 videos). |
| 3. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with the Revolutionary era. | Regionalism in the Early United States; The American Revolution V1 | Covered | 40 | 2 | 27 | 2 | Covered by 2 topics (40 questions, 2 materials, 27 cards, 2 videos). |
| 4. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with the Constitutional era and the early republic. | Articles of Confederation; Origin of Political Parties; Constitution and the Bill of Rights; Key Names in Early Republic; Minority Groups in Early America; Alien and Sedition Acts; Slavery | Covered | 64 | 7 | 47 | 2 | Covered by 7 topics (64 questions, 7 materials, 47 cards, 2 videos). |
| 5. Evaluate the impact of westward expansion on the social, cultural, political, and economic development of the emerging nation. | Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny; Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny - Oregon Trail | Covered | 25 | 2 | 17 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (25 questions, 2 materials, 17 cards, 1 videos). |
| 6. Identify the social, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of the antebellum period. | Early 1800s; Regionalism in the Western United States; First Industrial Revolution; Immigration 1830-1850; Slavery Compromises; Abolitionist Movement and The Growing Sectional Divide; Abolitionist Movement - Underground Railroad; Causes of Sectionalism | Covered | 93 | 8 | 50 | 1 | Covered by 8 topics (93 questions, 8 materials, 50 cards, 1 videos). |
| 7. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with the American Civil War and Reconstruction eras. | Civil War; Civil War - Major Milestones; Key Figures of the Civil War and Reconstruction; Reconstruction | Covered | 54 | 4 | 40 | 0 | Covered by 4 topics (54 questions, 4 materials, 40 cards, 0 videos). |
| 8. Evaluate the impact of agrarianism, industrialization, urbanization, and reform movements on social, cultural, political, and economic development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. | Second Industrial Revolution; Gilded Age; Immigration 1870-1920; Progressive Movement; Rise of Labor; Populism; Women's Rights Movement | Covered | 82 | 7 | 69 | 1 | Covered by 7 topics (82 questions, 7 materials, 69 cards, 1 videos). |
| 9. Evaluate the impact of immigration on social, cultural, political, and economic development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. | Immigration 1870-1920 | Covered | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (7 questions, 1 materials, 6 cards, 0 videos). |
| 10. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with the World War I era. | Effects of World War I on America V1; The Fourteen Points | Covered | 20 | 2 | 20 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (20 questions, 2 materials, 20 cards, 1 videos). |
| 11. Identify social, cultural, political, and economic developments (e.g., Roaring Twenties, Harlem Renaissance, Great Depression, New Deal) between World War I and World War II. | Early 20th Century Amendments; Interwar America; Great Depression and the New Deal; Other Great Depression Programs | Covered | 32 | 4 | 26 | 1 | Covered by 4 topics (32 questions, 4 materials, 26 cards, 1 videos). |
| 12. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with the World War II era. | World War II and America V1 | Covered | 10 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (10 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 1 videos). |
| 13. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with domestic and foreign affairs during the Cold War era. | Marshall Plan; NATO; McCarthyism; Space Race; Korean War and Vietnam War; Korean War Milestones; Vietnam War Milestones; The Cold War - SDI; The Cold War - Kissinger; The Cold War - The Bay of Pigs; Cuban Missile Crisis; The Cold War - Iran-Contra Affair; The Cold War - Latin America; The Cold War - Policies | Covered | 70 | 14 | 47 | 1 | Covered by 14 topics (70 questions, 14 materials, 47 cards, 1 videos). |
| 14. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with movements for equality, civil rights, and civil liberties in the 19th and 20th centuries. | Counterculture; Feminist Movement; African American Civil Rights Movement in America; Desegregation of Schools; Malcolm X; Hispanic Civil Rights Movement; American Indian Civil Rights Movement; American Society 1945-1990 | Covered | 58 | 8 | 33 | 1 | Covered by 8 topics (58 questions, 8 materials, 33 cards, 1 videos). |
| 15. Identify the causes, significant individuals, and effects of the events associated with contemporary domestic and foreign affairs. | Political Developments 1945-1970; Nixon and Watergate; The Gulf War; Clinton Impeachment; 911 and Response; Afghanistan and Iraq; ISIS | Covered | 16 | 7 | 30 | 0 | Covered by 7 topics (16 questions, 7 materials, 30 cards, 0 videos). |
| 16. Identify key individuals, events, and issues related to Florida history. | Key Florida History; Florida's Cultural History | Covered | 13 | 2 | 21 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (13 questions, 2 materials, 21 cards, 0 videos). |
| Official Competency | Matching 240 Topics | Alignment | Qs | Mats | Cards | Vids | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify social science disciplines (e.g., anthropology, psychology, sociology). | Basic Concepts in Sociology; Basic Concepts in Psychology | Covered | 15 | 2 | 21 | 0 | Covered by 2 topics (15 questions, 2 materials, 21 cards, 0 videos). |
| 2. Identify social science concepts (e.g., culture, class, technology, race, gender). | Cross-Cultural Comparison; Teaching - Integrating Digital Technology | Covered | 18 | 2 | 10 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (18 questions, 2 materials, 10 cards, 1 videos). |
| 3. Analyze the interrelationships between social science disciplines. | Connections Within Social Studies | Covered | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Covered by 1 topic (13 questions, 1 materials, 2 cards, 0 videos). |
| 4. Interpret tabular and graphic representations of information related to the social sciences. | Skill - Analysis of Graphics | Covered | 23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (23 questions, 1 materials, 1 cards, 1 videos). |
| 5. Identify appropriate strategies, methods, tools, and technologies for the teaching of social science. | Multimodal Teaching - Social Studies; Teaching - Assessment and Instruction - Social Studies | Covered | 34 | 2 | 16 | 1 | Covered by 2 topics (34 questions, 2 materials, 16 cards, 1 videos). |
| 6. Evaluate examples of primary (e.g., letters, photographs, political cartoons) and secondary (e.g., historical texts, encyclopedias) sources. | Skill - Primary and Secondary Sources | Covered | 22 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Covered by 1 topic (22 questions, 1 materials, 4 cards, 1 videos). |
How 240 Creates The FTCE Social Science 6-12 (037) Study Guide
Learn more →Every 240 study guide starts with the official exam framework. From there, we organize lessons, practice, and study tools around the categories the exam uses to measure candidate knowledge.
Reviewed by subject-matter experts and maintained to reflect current standards.
Built By Teachers for Teachers
You're not on this journey alone. Our 240 teachers have firsthand experience with these exams. Real teachers with real experience are behind the scenes to help guide you into the classroom where YOU belong.
Why 240 Is Better Than Other Generic Study Guides
Not all study guides are built the same way. Here is what separates a test-aligned guide from a generic one — and why it matters when you are preparing for the FTCE Social Science 6-12.
FAQs About the FTCE Social Science 6-12 Study Guide
The questions teacher candidates ask us most often about the FTCE Social Science 6-12 study guide.
Study What's Actually on the FTCE 037 Exam
Start with a study guide built around the real exam. 240's guide maps lessons and study tools to official competencies so you can prepare more efficiently and more confidently.