- Praxis 5028 is one of two subtests inside the Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026), administered by ETS.
- It has 90 selected-response questions in 120 minutes, delivered by computer at a center or at home.
- Mathematics makes up about 64% (58 questions) and Science about 36% (32 questions) of the test.
- The fee is $100.00 and includes four free score recipients; scores report on a 100-200 scale.
What Praxis 5028 Actually Is
Praxis 5028 is the shorthand name for Praxis Early Childhood: Mathematics and Science (5028), one of two subtests that make up the full Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026). Administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), it is designed to measure whether a candidate preparing for an early childhood teaching role has the mathematics and science content knowledge needed to plan and deliver developmentally appropriate instruction to young learners.
It's important to be precise about this because several credentials in education testing share similar names and numbers. On this site, every fact refers specifically to the Mathematics and Science subtest - not a different exam, not a different licensing body, and not a different content area. If you want the full picture of what this test covers content-wise, the Praxis 5028 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 2 Content Areas breaks each domain down topic by topic.
Exam Format, Timing, and Item Types
Praxis 5028 is a computer-delivered test that can be taken either at an official test center or remotely at home, giving candidates some flexibility in how and where they sit for it. The subtest contains 90 selected-response questions and has a 120-minute test length. There is typically no scheduled break during the test, and any unscheduled break a candidate takes does not stop the clock - so pacing matters from the first question to the last.
Unlike a simple multiple-choice quiz, Praxis 5028 uses a mix of item formats:
- Standard selected-response - choose one correct answer from several options
- Multiple-select - choose more than one correct answer from a list
- Numeric entry - type in a calculated value rather than choosing from options
- Drag-and-drop - arrange or match items to demonstrate a relationship or sequence
- Graphic-selection - click on part of an image, diagram, or number line
- Drop-down - select the correct term or value from an embedded menu within a sentence or problem
Some questions on the test may be unscored field-test items that don't count toward your final result, but because they are indistinguishable from scored items, every question should be treated as if it counts. If the variety of formats feels unfamiliar, working through practice questions in each format ahead of test day - something covered in the Praxis 5028 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt - helps remove format surprise as a source of lost points.
Key Takeaway
Because unscheduled breaks don't pause the clock, plan your 120 minutes assuming zero downtime - budget roughly 75 seconds per question and keep moving on items you're unsure about.
The Two Content Domains Explained
Praxis 5028 is built around exactly two content domains, and they are not weighted equally. Understanding the split is the single most important piece of strategic information for anyone preparing for this test.
Domain 1: Mathematics (64%)
Mathematics is the dominant domain, accounting for approximately 58 of the 90 questions. Candidates need working command of:
- Numbers and Operations for whole numbers
- Numbers and Operations for fractions
- Algebraic Thinking
- Geometry, Measurement, and Data
Domain 2: Science (36%)
Science accounts for approximately 32 of the 90 questions, spanning four areas that reflect NSTA standards and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- Nature of Science and Engineering
- Physical Science
- Earth and Space Science
- Life Science
Content specifications for both domains were confirmed by an advisory panel of elementary teacher educators and content specialists familiar with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards alongside NSTA and NGSS frameworks. That means the test isn't testing trivia - it's testing whether you understand the mathematical and scientific reasoning that underlies early childhood curricula, and whether you can apply it the way a classroom teacher would need to.
For a question-type-by-question-type walkthrough of what each domain actually asks of you, the exam domains guide is the most detailed resource on this site. And if you're wondering how tough the test feels in practice, How Hard Is the Praxis 5028 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 addresses that directly.
Registration, Fees, and Scoring
Registering for Praxis 5028 costs $100.00, and that fee includes four free score recipients, meaning you can send your results to up to four institutions or state agencies at no extra cost. ETS also offers an official interactive practice test priced at $24.95, though it's provided free when you register for the actual exam - a detail worth knowing before you pay for third-party materials. For a full breakdown of what you'll actually spend from registration through scoring, see the Praxis 5028 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Scores are reported on a 100 to 200 scale. There is no single universal passing score - each certifying state sets its own qualifying score for Praxis 5028, so it's the candidate's responsibility to confirm their state's required score before registering and testing. If you haven't checked yours yet, the Praxis 5028 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass article walks through how to find and interpret it.
Before you register, it's also worth reviewing what your state or program expects in terms of eligibility. The Praxis 5028 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify page covers prerequisites, and the Praxis 5028 Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling page covers how to plan your testing window around program deadlines.
Who Takes Praxis 5028 and Why
Praxis 5028 is taken by candidates pursuing early childhood teaching credentials in states that require the Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026) or its mathematics-and-science subtest specifically as part of licensure. Because it's a subject-matter test rather than a job-title credential, the people who need it are typically:
- Teacher candidates finishing an early childhood education preparation program
- Career-changers pursuing alternative certification routes into early childhood classrooms
- Educators adding an early childhood endorsement to an existing license
School districts and hiring committees generally don't ask "did you pass Praxis 5028" as a standalone interview question - they ask whether you hold a valid early childhood teaching license, and passing this subtest (alongside its companion subtest, if your state requires the full 5026) is one of the steps to get there. If you're curious how this credential fits into actual job postings and career paths, Praxis 5028 Jobs and the Praxis 5028 Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis explore that connection in more depth. And if you're still deciding whether pursuing this route is the right move for your career, Is the Praxis 5028 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 weighs the considerations.
How to Approach the Two Domains When Studying
Given that mathematics carries roughly 64% of the test versus 36% for science, a study plan that treats the two domains equally is misallocating effort. A more sensible approach is to sequence your preparation so that the heavier, more question-dense domain gets more calendar time and more repetition, while science review is concentrated but not neglected.
Mathematics Foundations
- Review whole number operations and fraction concepts until they're automatic, not just recognizable
- Practice algebraic thinking items using patterns and simple equations typical of early childhood curricula
Geometry, Measurement, and Data + Science Foundations
- Work through geometry and measurement problems, including drag-and-drop and graphic-selection style items
- Begin Nature of Science and Engineering and Physical Science review
Remaining Science + Mixed Practice
- Cover Earth and Space Science and Life Science
- Run full-length timed practice sets that mix both domains at their real 64/36 ratio
This kind of week-by-week sequencing, paired with reviewing your weak spots through spaced repetition rather than one large cram session, tends to work better than generic study advice because it's tied directly to how the test is actually weighted. For a more exhaustive week-by-week plan with practice benchmarks, see the Praxis 5028 Study Guide 2026. You can also get comfortable with the exam's specific format by working through timed sets on our practice test platform before test day.
Key Takeaway
Spend roughly two-thirds of your study hours on mathematics and one-third on science to match the exam's actual 64/36 question split - not an even 50/50 split.
Praxis 5028 vs. the Combined 5026
Because Praxis 5028 is a subtest of the broader Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026), candidates sometimes confuse the two registration options. Here's how they compare directly:
| Feature | Praxis 5028 (Subtest) | Combined 5026 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 90 | 180 |
| Time Allowed | 120 minutes | 4 hours |
| Content Covered | Mathematics and Science only | Both subtests, full content range |
| Fee | $100.00 | Set separately for the combined session |
| Score Report | 100-200 scale for this subtest | Combined and/or subtest scores depending on state use |
Whether you should register for the standalone 5028 or the combined 5026 depends entirely on what your state or teacher preparation program requires - this is not a personal preference decision. Confirm the correct option before paying any fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Praxis 5028 is the Mathematics and Science subtest that makes up part of the combined 5026 assessment. The 5026 bundles this subtest with a second subtest into one 180-question, four-hour session, while 5028 alone is 90 questions in 120 minutes.
Mathematics accounts for approximately 58 of the 90 questions (about 64% of the test), and Science accounts for approximately 32 questions (about 36%). Mathematics should be your dominant study priority.
Yes. The test is computer delivered and can be taken either at an official test center or remotely at home, depending on what works for your schedule and testing preferences.
There is no single universal passing score. Scores report on a 100 to 200 scale, and each certifying state sets its own qualifying score, so you must confirm your state's requirement before you register. See the passing score guide for details.
Not necessarily. The test may include unscored questions used for field testing that don't count toward your final score. Since these are not identifiable during the test, treat every question as if it counts.