Praxis 2 5901 Overview

What is the Praxis 5901?

Our 5901 study guide

includes all subtests

The Praxis Elementary Education 5901 is also known as the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test.

This is one of several elementary subject area exams designed to assess whether a prospective teacher has the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to teach in an elementary school setting.

The subtests of the 5901 are:

1. Mathematics (5903)
2. Social Studies (5904)
3. Science (5905)

Each of these subjects is considered crucial for an elementary education teacher, as they encompass the fundamental curriculum of elementary education.

Our proven Praxis 5901 study guides

Full 5901 study guide
Includes all subtests listed below.

5903 Study Guide	5904 Study Guide	5905 Study Guide

Is the Praxis 5901 what I need to take to teach Elementary Education?

Most states use the Praxis Elementary Education Multiple Subjects 5901 test to certify their elementary education teachers. However, it's important to note that the requirement can vary depending on your state's licensure regulations.

Some states might have different tests or additional requirements for prospective teachers.

That’s why it's crucial to check with your state's Department of Education or the ETS website to confirm the exact requirements for becoming an elementary education teacher in your state.

In general, the Praxis 5901 is widely recognized and accepted across many states in the U.S. as a standard measure of competence for elementary education teaching.

How hard is the Praxis 5901 to pass?

While the Praxis 5901 is an elementary education test, the exam is rather large and complicated.

Fewer than 50% of people pass their Praxis exams the first time, so it’s very important you do not underestimate the test.

This test can be difficult for new teachers because of their lack of experience in the classroom. 

The mathematics section (Praxis 5903) covers everything from basic number sense to algebra and geometry. Some of the content on the test may require you to use skills you haven’t accessed since elementary and middle school.

In the social studies section (Praxis 5904), you’ll be asked about specifics on U.S. history, world history, and economics. In the science section (5005), there are questions covering physical, earth and space, and life sciences.

Therefore, you’ll need to brush up on content you may have forgotten and skills you haven’t used in quite some time.

What happens if I fail one or more of the subtests?

Because the subtests are scored separately, you can pass all or some sections of the exam. Therefore, if you pass some sections but not others, you can retake just the sections you were unsuccessful in.

For example, if you pass the reading and language arts, social studies, and science sections, but fail the math section, you will just retake the math the next time around.

Remember, you must pass all subtests of the Praxis 5901 to pass the full exam. 

What does the Praxis Elementary Education test consist of?

The Praxis 5901 consists of three subtests, which are scored separately. The following is the estimated number of questions you will receive on each subtest.

The entire exam is 3 hours. You will also need to pass all of the subtests to pass the Praxis Elementary Education 5901 exam.

Praxis Elementary Education 5903 - Mathematics

The Praxis 5903 has approximately 50 questions; you will have 60 minutes to complete this exam.

Most states require at least a 157 to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 146 and 148, respectively.

The Praxis Elementary Education 5903 subtest is designed to evaluate the mathematical knowledge and skills of prospective elementary educators. It forms a critical part of the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test.

The Mathematics subtest is divided into three key content categories, each focusing on a specific aspect of elementary-level mathematics. These categories include:

• Numbers and Operations
• Algebraic Thinking
• Geometry, Measurement, Data, Statistics, and Probability

You can read my full overview and breakdown of the Praxis 5903 as well as my best tips to pass the Praxis Elementary Education 5903 Math here.

Praxis Elementary Education 5904 - Special Studies

The Praxis 5004 has approximately 60 questions; you will have 60 minutes to complete this subtest.

Most states require at least a 155 to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 147 and 148, respectively, and Northern Mariana Islands requires a 157.

The Praxis Elementary Education 5004 subtest is designed to evaluate the social studies knowledge and skills of prospective elementary educators.

The Social Studies 5004 subtest is categorized into three main content domains, each targeting a unique facet of social studies. These domains include:

• United States History, Government, and Citizenship
• Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology
• World History and Economics

You can read my full overview and breakdown of the Praxis 5904 as well as my best tips to pass the Praxis Elementary Education Social Studies exam here.

Praxis Elementary Education 5905 - Science

The Praxis 5005 has approximately 55 questions; you will have 60 minutes to complete this exam.

Most states require at least a 159  to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 150 and 152, respectively, and Northern Mariana Islands requires a 157.

The Praxis Elementary Education 5005 - Science subtest is an integral component of the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test, devised to measure the scientific knowledge and competencies of potential elementary educators.

The Science subtest is classified into three main content categories, each addressing a specific domain of science. These categories include:

• Earth Science
• Life Science
• Physical Science

Gaining a comprehensive understanding and practicing these content categories are critical for success on this subtest.

You can read my full overview and breakdown of the Praxis 5905 as well as my best tips to pass the Praxis Elementary Education Science here.

What are the passing scores for the Praxis 5901?

Each state sets the passing score for the 5901 and its individual subtests. Therefore, it is important that you locate your state’s specific requirements for this exam.

The following is a range of scores for each subtest. Because each subtest is scored separately, there are different score requirements for each of the four subtests.

• Passing Score for the Praxis 5903 - Most states require at least a 157 to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 146 and 148, respectively.
• Passing Score for the Praxis 5904 - Most states require at least a 155 to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 147 and 148, respectively, and Northern Mariana Islands requires a 157.
• Passing Score for the Praxis 5905 - Most states require at least a 159  to pass this subtest. However, South Dakota and Kentucky require a 150 and 152, respectively, and Northern Mariana Islands requires a 157.

It is important to note that the Praxis 5901 is scored using a scale score. This is much different than a raw score.

Scale scores are determined by taking your raw score (how many you got correct) and configuring it into a scale score based on question complexity, form of the test, and other measures.

To learn more about this, check out this blog: How to Calculate Your Praxis Score.

How many questions are on each of the Elementary Education subtests?

Each section is scored separately. Therefore, you can think of the following as their own individual tests. If you pass one or more of these subtests but are unsuccessful on another, you do not have to take the entire test again. You only have to retake the subtest you did not pass.

However, you must pass all four subtests to pass the full Praxis 5901 exam.

Praxis 5902 Reading and Language Arts

You will have 90 minutes to complete approximately 80 questions.

• Reading - 38 questions
• Writing, Speaking, and Listening - 42 questions

Praxis 5903 Mathematics

You will have 65 minutes to complete approximately 50 questions.

• Numbers and Operations - 20 questions
• Algebraic Thinking - 15 questions
• Geometry, Measurement, Data, Statistics, and Probability - 15 questions

Praxis 5904 Social Studies

You will have 60 minutes to complete approximately 60 questions.

• United States History, Government, and Citizenship - 27 questions
• Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology - 18 questions
• World History and Economics - 15 questions

Praxis 5905 Science

You will have 60 minutes to complete approximately 55 questions.

• Earth Science - 17-18 questions
• Life Science - 18-19 questions
• Physical Science - 18-19 questions

Why did my test have more questions than it was supposed to?

Please understand that you may have several additional questions on your test. ETS, the company that makes the exam, will often field test new items on the exams.

You will never know which test items count toward your score and which items are being field tested. You can learn more about this HERE.

Field testing items is common practice in the testing industry. Therefore, if you see a couple more questions on your exam, don’t panic. Just answer all the questions on your test.

The best ways to pass and study for the Praxis Elementary 5901

Everyone is different in terms of how they want to prepare for the exam. People have different strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important you choose the right program for you.

The following are a few tried and tested resources you can consider when preparing for this test.

The ETS Study Companion

The first and most important thing you can do to pass your Praxis 5901 test is to exam the test structure and content on the exam by examining the test specifications in the Praxis 5901 Study Companion.

This document is is developed by ETS and shows you everything you are responsible for on the exam. It even has practice test questions similar to what you will see on test day.

Study Guides

Beyond that, most people prefer to use a study guide with practice tests to prepare for the exam. Our Elementary education study guides are fully aligned to the test specifications and blueprint outlined in the ETS Study Companion.

They also have hundreds of practice test questions for each subtest and content category, so you are fully prepared for the exam.

Online Courses

For those in search of supplementary aid, online courses equipped with instructional videos and practice components prove invaluable. Our comprehensive, self-paced online course is enriched with hours of video content, strategically curated to effectively prepare you for success in the Praxis 5205 test. It's worth noting that individuals undertaking the 5901 exam are typically also required to complete the Praxis 5205 assessment, making this course all the more relevant and beneficial.

How many questions do you need to get right to pass?

To keep things simple, we recommend scoring at least a 75% on the practice tests before you go in to take the exam.

However, realistically It is difficult to predict exactly how many questions you must get correct to pass the Praxis 5901 because a scale score is used rather than a raw score.

This means that your raw score—the number of questions you get correct—is put into a formula to calculate a scale score.

Getting 75% of the questions correct when you practice indicates you are ready to take the actual test.

Remember, each section of the exam is scored separately.

Free resources for the Praxis 5901

There are many free resources you can use to pass the exam. Our YouTube channel has tons of videos for this exam and its individual subtests.

You might also want to check out our free Praxis 5901 webinar. It comes with a free study guide, test strategy tips, and more. Just fill out this form and you will gain access to all of that free material!

Praxis 5901 Exam and Pass Scores at a glance