- Praxis 5028 is one of two subtests inside the Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026), administered by ETS.
- Mathematics makes up about 58 of 90 questions (64%); science covers roughly 32 questions (36%).
- The exam runs 120 minutes with mixed item types: selected-response, multiple-select, numeric entry, drag-and-drop, and more.
- Registration costs $100.00 and includes four free score recipients; an official practice test is available for $24.95 (free with registration).
What Praxis 5028 Actually Is
Praxis Early Childhood: Mathematics and Science (5028) is a subject-specific subtest developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It exists as one half of the broader Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026), which pairs this mathematics-and-science subtest with a companion subtest covering other early childhood content areas. Candidates can take Praxis 5028 as a standalone assessment or sit for the full combined 5026 exam in one longer session, depending on what their state licensing agency requires.
If you're still getting oriented, it helps to first review the complete guide to all content areas on the exam, since the domain structure shapes almost everything else about how the test is built and scored.
Exam Format and Question Types
Praxis 5028 is delivered by computer, either at an official test center or remotely from home, and consists of 90 selected-response questions administered within a 120-minute testing window. That works out to roughly 80 seconds per question on average, though question difficulty varies enough that pacing needs to flex across the test rather than staying rigidly even.
Unlike a simple multiple-choice exam, the item formats vary:
- Standard selected-response - choose one correct answer from several options
- Multiple-select - choose more than one correct answer, which removes the ability to guess by elimination alone
- Numeric entry - type in a calculated value rather than pick from a list
- Drag-and-drop - arrange items, steps, or categories into the correct order or grouping
- Graphic-selection and drop-down items - interact with diagrams, images, or embedded menus
Be aware that some questions on the test are unscored field-test items used by ETS to evaluate future exam content. You won't know which ones they are, so every question deserves your full attention regardless of how it's formatted. For a deeper breakdown of how these formats interact with difficulty, see this difficulty guide.
Key Takeaway
Because multiple-select and numeric-entry items don't allow lucky guesses the way single-answer questions do, mastering underlying math procedures matters more on Praxis 5028 than memorizing answer patterns.
Inside the Two Content Domains
Praxis 5028 is built around two domains, and the weighting between them is not close to even. Understanding that imbalance is the single most important strategic fact about this exam.
| Domain | Approx. Questions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1: Mathematics | ~58 | 64% |
| Domain 2: Science | ~32 | 36% |
Domain 1: Mathematics (64%)
This domain is the dominant study priority by a wide margin, and it's organized into four content clusters that mirror how NCTM standards describe early mathematical development.
- Numbers and Operations - Whole Numbers: place value, counting sequences, and the four basic operations as young children encounter them
- Numbers and Operations - Fractions: part-whole relationships, equivalence, and early fraction reasoning
- Algebraic Thinking: patterns, relationships, and pre-algebra reasoning appropriate for early learners
- Geometry, Measurement, and Data: shapes, spatial reasoning, units of measurement, and simple data representation
Domain 2: Science (36%)
The science domain draws on NSTA standards and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), organized around four areas:
- Nature of Science and Engineering: scientific inquiry, engineering design thinking, and how young children investigate the world
- Physical Science: matter, energy, forces, and motion at an early-learner level
- Earth and Space Science: weather, seasons, earth materials, and basic space concepts
- Life Science: living things, life cycles, habitats, and basic biological concepts
Because the content specifications behind these domains were confirmed by an advisory panel of elementary teacher educators and specialists, the questions tend to reflect real classroom scenarios rather than abstract academic theory. You'll frequently see items framed around a hypothetical teacher's lesson, a student's misconception, or a classroom activity rather than a bare calculation. A full walkthrough of every subtopic lives in the exam domains guide.
Registration, Fees, and Scoring
Registering for Praxis 5028 involves a few concrete numbers worth knowing before you commit to a test date:
- The registration fee is $100.00, which includes four free score recipients - meaning you can send your results to up to four institutions or agencies without an extra charge.
- ETS offers an official interactive practice test priced at $24.95, but it is provided free when you register for the exam.
- Scores are reported on a 100 to 200 scale.
- There is no universal passing score - each certifying state sets its own qualifying score for Praxis 5028, so you must confirm your state's requirement before registering.
If you're taking the combined Praxis Early Childhood Assessment (5026) instead of the standalone 5028, note that the bundled version contains 180 questions across a 4-hour session, combining both subtests into one sitting. Most administrations of either version do not include a scheduled break, and any unscheduled break you take does not stop the test clock - so plan your pacing with that in mind.
For a line-by-line breakdown of every cost associated with this credential, see the certification cost breakdown, and for exactly what score you'll need in your state, check the passing score guide.
Who Needs This Subtest
Praxis 5028 is aimed at candidates pursuing early childhood teaching licensure who need to demonstrate content knowledge in mathematics and science specifically, separate from literacy, social studies, or child development topics covered elsewhere in early childhood licensure pathways. States that require the Praxis Early Childhood Assessment typically accept either the standalone Praxis 5028 subtest or the combined 5026, depending on how that state's education department structures its licensure testing requirements.
Because requirements vary by state, it's worth reviewing the eligibility and requirements guide before you register, and checking upcoming testing windows through the exam dates and scheduling guide. Employers and hiring pipelines that reference this credential are outlined in more detail on the Praxis 5028 jobs page, which can help you understand how this score fits into the broader licensure process at your target school or district.
How to Approach Preparation
Given that mathematics represents nearly two-thirds of the exam, an efficient study plan front-loads mathematics review before moving to science, rather than splitting time evenly between the two domains. A simple, non-generic way to sequence this:
Mathematics Foundations
- Review whole number operations and place-value reasoning as taught to young children
- Work through fraction equivalence and part-whole problems until numeric-entry items feel routine
Algebraic Thinking & Geometry/Measurement/Data
- Practice pattern-identification and early algebraic reasoning items
- Drill measurement units and simple data-representation questions, including drag-and-drop formats
Science Domain Sweep
- Cover Nature of Science and Engineering, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Life Science in sequence
- Focus on NGSS-aligned classroom scenarios rather than pure content memorization
Mixed Practice & Format Familiarity
- Take full-length timed practice sets that mix multiple-select, drag-and-drop, and graphic-selection items
- Review any missed items by domain to identify whether math or science needs another pass
This kind of weighted schedule - not a generic even split - reflects the actual 64/36 balance of the exam. For a fully detailed week-by-week plan, see the study guide for passing on your first attempt, and for a compact reference during your final review days, use the one-page cheat sheet of must-know facts. Our practice test platform also lets you drill each domain separately before moving into full-length simulations.
Key Takeaway
Since mathematics is worth roughly 64% of your score, spending twice as much study time there as on science is a reasonable, data-backed allocation rather than an arbitrary guess.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Changes
ETS has announced new Elementary Education Fundamentals tests launching in spring 2026. While Praxis 5028 remains active, candidates should watch for state-level announcements about whether their licensing agency continues to accept this subtest or transitions to a newer assessment. If you're early in your planning process, it's worth checking your state's current guidance now rather than assuming today's requirements will hold indefinitely. The requirements guide is a good place to track this, and our home page keeps links to related resources as they're updated.
For candidates weighing whether this credential is worth pursuing given their career goals, the ROI analysis and earnings guide both offer additional context, and the pass rate data article discusses what's actually known about candidate outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Praxis 5028 is one of two subtests that make up the combined 5026 assessment. You can take 5028 as a standalone mathematics-and-science subtest, or take the full 5026 bundle, depending on your state's requirement.
The subtest has 90 selected-response questions (in varied formats) with a 120-minute testing time, delivered by computer at a test center or from home.
Mathematics, without question. It accounts for approximately 58 of the 90 questions and 64% of the exam, compared to science at roughly 32 questions and 36%.
There is no single passing score. Results are reported on a 100-200 scale, and each certifying state sets its own qualifying score, so you need to confirm your state's cutoff before registering.
Registration is $100.00, which includes four free score recipients. ETS's official interactive practice test normally costs $24.95 but is provided free once you register for the exam.