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Praxis 5028 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows

TL;DR
  • ETS does not publish an official pass rate for Praxis 5028; passing depends on your state's cut score.
  • Mathematics is 64% of the exam (about 58 of 90 questions), making it the top risk area statistically.
  • Science covers only 36% (about 32 questions), but weak Earth/Space or Life Science knowledge still sinks scores.
  • Scores report on a 100-200 scale, and every certifying state sets its own qualifying score.

Why There's No Official Praxis 5028 Pass Rate

If you searched "Praxis 5028 pass rate 2026" hoping for a single published percentage, here's the honest answer: ETS does not release a public pass rate for the Praxis Early Childhood: Mathematics and Science (5028) subtest, and no state education agency that we're aware of publishes one either. That's not unusual for Praxis subtests tied to state-specific licensure - the "pass" outcome isn't a fixed national threshold, it's determined by whichever qualifying score your certifying state has set for the 5028 subtest of the broader Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026).

This matters more than it sounds. Two candidates could earn the exact same scaled score and one could pass while the other doesn't, simply because their states require different cut scores. Before you build a study plan around a rumored percentage, confirm your own state's requirement - the Praxis 5028 requirements guide walks through how to look this up and what documentation states typically ask for alongside your score report.

Reality Check: Because no universal pass rate exists, the more useful question isn't "what percentage of people pass," but "which parts of this 90-question, 120-minute exam am I statistically most likely to get wrong." That's where domain weighting becomes your real data source.

What the 100-200 Score Scale Actually Tells You

Praxis 5028 scores are reported on a 100 to 200 scale. There's no fixed "70% equals passing" logic here - the raw number of correct answers out of 90 selected-response items gets converted to that scale, and your state compares the result to its own qualifying score. Some states set a relatively lower bar for early childhood candidates; others set it higher. This is precisely why generic "pass rate" claims floating around test-prep forums are unreliable - they're often quoting a different state's cutoff, a different testing year, or in some cases a different Praxis test entirely that happens to share the number 5028 in casual conversation.

For a full breakdown of exactly what your state likely requires and how the scaled score is calculated from your raw answers, see the Praxis 5028 passing score guide. If you haven't yet confirmed your state accepts this exact test, do that first - it's a five-minute check that prevents a wasted $100 registration fee.

Domain Weighting as a Risk Map

Since an official pass rate doesn't exist, the exam blueprint itself is the best predictive data you have. Praxis 5028 splits its 90 scored and unscored questions across two domains, and the split is lopsided on purpose:

DomainApprox. QuestionsWeight
Mathematics~5864%
Science~3236%

Mathematics isn't just "the bigger domain" - it's nearly two-thirds of your entire score. A candidate who is strong in science but shaky in fraction operations or algebraic thinking is statistically exposed in a way a candidate with the opposite weakness is not, simply because there are almost twice as many math items to miss.

Mathematics (64%)

Covers four content clusters candidates must be fluent in, not just familiar with:

  • Numbers and Operations for whole numbers
  • Numbers and Operations for fractions
  • Algebraic Thinking
  • Geometry, Measurement, and Data

Science (36%)

A smaller slice, but breadth matters since it spans physical, earth, and life science concepts an early childhood teacher must be able to explain simply and accurately:

  • Nature of Science and Engineering
  • Physical Science
  • Earth and Space Science
  • Life Science

For a deeper dive into every subtopic tested inside each cluster, the Praxis 5028 exam domains guide breaks both domains down question by question. And if you're still deciding how much runway to give yourself before test day, the Praxis 5028 difficulty guide addresses where most candidates report the exam feeling harder than expected.

Format Factors That Quietly Affect Outcomes

Pass/fail outcomes aren't only about content knowledge - the format of Praxis 5028 introduces friction points that catch unprepared candidates off guard:

  • Mixed item types: Beyond standard single-answer selected response, expect multiple-select, numeric entry, drag-and-drop, graphic-selection, and drop-down formats. A candidate who only practices multiple-choice questions will be slower and less accurate on the others during the real 120-minute window.
  • Unscored questions: The test may include items that don't count toward your final score, but you won't know which ones. Treat every question as if it counts.
  • No scheduled break: Most administrations run straight through with no built-in break, and any unscheduled break you take does not stop the clock. Pacing across 90 questions in 120 minutes - roughly 80 seconds per item - needs to be practiced, not discovered mid-test.
  • Delivery flexibility: The subtest is computer delivered either at an official test center or at home, which changes how you should rehearse test-day logistics depending on which option you choose.

Key Takeaway

Practice under the actual 120-minute, 90-question, no-break format at least once before test day. Content knowledge that collapses under time pressure produces the same missed points as content you never learned.

Registration Mechanics and Cost Context

The Praxis 5028 fee is $100.00, which includes four free score recipients - worth using strategically if you're applying to multiple state agencies or programs. ETS also provides an official interactive practice test priced at $24.95, though it's offered free when you register for the exam, so there's little reason to skip it. Full cost breakdowns, including how the $100 fee compares against bundling both subtests inside the combined Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026) session, are covered in the Praxis 5028 certification cost guide.

Before locking in a registration date, it's worth reviewing testing windows and blackout considerations in the exam dates guide, since rescheduling fees add unnecessary cost on top of the base fee.

Who Actually Takes This Subtest

Praxis 5028 exists as one of two subtests inside the Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026), used by states as part of licensure for early childhood educators. Content specifications were confirmed by an advisory panel of elementary teacher educators familiar with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards, National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) standards, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) - so the exam is deliberately aligned to what early childhood classrooms are expected to teach, not abstract academic math or lab-level science.

If you're weighing whether pursuing this credential is worth the time and fee relative to your career plans, the ROI analysis on Praxis 5028 certification lays out the tradeoffs candidly. And note: ETS has announced new Elementary Education Fundamentals tests launching spring 2026, so if your state is mid-transition, double-check which exam your program currently requires before you register.

A Domain-Weighted Prep Timeline

Generic study techniques only help if they're pointed at the right target. Given that mathematics carries 64% of the score, your calendar should reflect that imbalance rather than splitting time evenly.

Weeks 1-2

Mathematics Foundations

  • Whole number operations and place value fluency
  • Fraction operations, since these are historically error-prone under time pressure
Week 3

Algebraic Thinking & Geometry/Measurement/Data

  • Pattern recognition and early algebraic reasoning appropriate to early childhood contexts
  • Measurement, data interpretation, and geometric properties
Week 4

Science Domains

  • Physical Science and Earth/Space Science core concepts
  • Life Science and the Nature of Science and Engineering strand
Week 5

Full-Length, Timed Practice

  • Run the official interactive practice test under real 120-minute conditions
  • Drill drag-and-drop, numeric entry, and multi-select item types specifically

Spacing repetition across weeks like this works because it mirrors the exam's own emphasis - heavier, earlier, repeated exposure to math clusters, with science reinforced closer to test day so it stays fresh. For a more detailed week-by-week plan with practice resources, see the Praxis 5028 study guide, and keep a condensed reference nearby using the Praxis 5028 cheat sheet during final review.

5028 Subtest vs. the Combined 5026 Session

Some candidates take Praxis 5028 as a standalone subtest; others sit for both subtests together in the combined Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026) session. Knowing the difference affects how you pace your prep and your test-day expectations.

Feature5028 Subtest AloneCombined 5026 Session
Questions90180 (both subtests)
Test Length120 minutes4 hours
Break StructureTypically no scheduled breakTypically no scheduled break
DeliveryTest center or at homeTest center or at home

Whichever path applies to you, the underlying content - mathematics and science domains, item types, and scoring scale - is the same. If you're still unclear on what "5028" even refers to versus the combined assessment, the overview of what Praxis 5028 is and the exam domains guide are good starting points, and you can explore full-length practice sessions on our main practice test platform to get a feel for pacing before committing to an official date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ETS publish an official Praxis 5028 pass rate for 2026?

No. ETS does not release a public pass rate for this subtest. Passing depends on the qualifying score set by your individual certifying state, applied to your scaled score on the 100-200 range.

Which domain should I prioritize if I'm short on study time?

Mathematics, since it accounts for approximately 64% of the exam (about 58 of 90 questions) compared to Science's 36% (about 32 questions). Time spent on fraction operations and algebraic thinking has outsized impact on your score.

Are all 90 questions scored?

Not necessarily. The test may contain unscored questions that don't count toward your final result, but since you can't identify them during the exam, every item should be treated as scored.

Is there a break during the 120-minute test?

Most administrations include no scheduled break. You can take an unscheduled break if needed, but the test clock does not stop, so pacing planning matters.

How much does it cost to register, and is practice material included?

The registration fee is $100.00, which includes four free score recipients. The official interactive practice test normally costs $24.95 but is provided free when you register for the exam.

Since a universal pass rate simply doesn't exist for Praxis 5028, the smartest use of your prep time is treating the domain weighting, format quirks, and your specific state's qualifying score as your real data points. Confirm your state's cutoff, respect the 64/36 math-to-science split, and rehearse the exact item types and timing you'll face on test day - that combination is the closest thing to a reliable predictor you'll find. You can start building that readiness right now with full-length timed sets on our Praxis 5028 practice test platform.

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