Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 245
- Time limit
- 4h 35m
- Passing score
- Each state sets its own passing score for…
- Exam fee
- $180
- Governing body
- Educational Testing Service (ETS)
The Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam is a licensure test for candidates seeking certification to teach elementary school. It's administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) as part of the Praxis testing program, and most U.S. states use it (or one of its individual subtests) as a requirement for an initial teaching license.
Overview
The exam is organized as four separately timed subtests, each covering a distinct subject area an elementary teacher is expected to know:
- Reading and Language Arts (5002) — 80 questions in 90 minutes
- Mathematics (5003) — 50 questions in 65 minutes, with an on-screen scientific calculator
- Social Studies (5004) — 60 questions in 60 minutes
- Science (5005) — 55 questions in 60 minutes, with an on-screen scientific calculator
Some states require candidates to pass all four subtests as the combined Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test, while others accept individual subtests separately — check your state's licensing requirements to confirm which path applies to you.
Cost and registration
The test fee is $180.00 to sit for the combined Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam. Confirm current pricing and any state-specific add-on fees against the official ETS Praxis fee schedule before registering.
Exam format
The exam totals 245 questions across the four subtests and runs 4 hours and 35 minutes overall. It's computer delivered and uses selected-response questions, with numeric-entry items added on the Mathematics subtest. Passing scores are not set by ETS directly — each state sets its own passing score for the four subtests, so check your state's requirements for the specific number you need to clear.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on each Praxis Elementary Education subtest?
Reading and Language Arts (5002) has 80 questions, Mathematics (5003) has 50, Social Studies (5004) has 60, and Science (5005) has 55, for 245 total.
How long does the full exam take?
The four subtests together run 4 hours and 35 minutes, made up of 90 minutes for Reading and Language Arts, 65 for Mathematics, and 60 each for Social Studies and Science.
What does the Praxis Elementary Education test cost?
The test fee is $180.00, which covers all four subtests when taken as the combined Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam.
What's the passing score?
There isn't one fixed passing score set by ETS. Each state sets its own passing score for the four subtests, so you'll need to confirm the specific number with your state's teacher licensing board.
If I fail a subtest, how soon can I retake it?
You must wait at least 28 days before scheduling a new appointment for the same test.
Is the exam computer-based or paper-based?
It's computer delivered at an approved testing center, using selected-response questions and, on the Mathematics subtest, numeric-entry items with an on-screen calculator.
Sources
- 1.The Praxis Study Companion — Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) — Educational Testing Service (ETS) — Praxis testing program (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 2.Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) — Praxis test page — Educational Testing Service (ETS) — Praxis testing program (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 3.Manage Your Praxis Test Appointment — Reschedule, Retake, or Cancel — Educational Testing Service (ETS) — Praxis testing program (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- The Praxis Study Companion — Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)Educational Testing Service (ETS) — Praxis testing programpraxis.ets.org
- Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001; subtests 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) — Praxis test pageEducational Testing Service (ETS) — Praxis testing programpraxis.ets.org
- Manage Your Praxis Test Appointment — Reschedule, Retake, or CancelEducational Testing Service (ETS) — Praxis testing programpraxis.ets.org
Last verified against the official exam content outline: