Praxis Middle School: Social Studies (5089) Exam

Praxis Middle School Social Studies measures the knowledge and skills needed by beginning middle school social studies teachers. ETS introduced the revised Middle School Social Studies test, code 5589, in 2025. Some states have already replaced the older 5089 exam with 5589, while others may still accept 5089 during their transition.

Before registering, check your state’s current Praxis requirements. Do not assume that 5089 or 5589 is accepted simply because preparation materials for that test are still available.

The three short essays that were part of Praxis 5089 are not part of the revised 5589 exam. If your state requires 5589, do not spend study time preparing for the old constructed-response section.

I. United States History — 29%

Approximately 40 questions

This is the largest content area. Topics include U.S. history from Indigenous societies before European colonization through contemporary events and developments.

• Native American societies and European colonization
• Colonial development and slavery
• The American Revolution
• The Constitution and Bill of Rights
• Expansion and early industrialization
• Sectionalism and the Civil War
• Reconstruction
• Industrialization, urbanization, and immigration
• The Progressive Era
• The Great Depression and New Deal
• World War I and World War II
• The Cold War
• Civil rights and social movements
• Political, economic, social, and cultural developments in modern U.S. history

II. World History — 21%

Approximately 29 questions

World History questions cover major political, economic, social, cultural, and technological developments across regions and time periods.

• Early civilizations
• Classical civilizations
• Major religions and belief systems
• Trade and cultural exchange
• Medieval societies
• Renaissance and Reformation
• Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
• Global exploration and colonization
• Political and industrial revolutions
• Imperialism and nationalism
• World War I and World War II
• Decolonization
• The Cold War
• Modern globalization and international developments

III. Geography — 18%

Approximately 25 questions

Geography questions assess your ability to understand physical and human geography and interpret geographic information.

• Maps and geospatial information
• Location, place, and regions
• Physical systems
• Population patterns
• Migration
• Cultural geography
• Economic geography
• Human-environment interaction
• Political geography
• Regional patterns and relationships

IV. Civics — 21%

Approximately 30 questions

Civics questions focus primarily on government, political systems, citizenship, and the constitutional structure of the United States.

• Principles of constitutional government
• Federalism
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
• Legislative, executive, and judicial branches
• Civil liberties and civil rights
• Political parties and elections
• Voting and political participation
• Public policy
• Citizenship and civic responsibilities
• Comparative political systems
• International relations

V. Economics — 11%

Approximately 16 questions

Economics is the smallest content category but still represents more than one-tenth of the exam.

• Scarcity and opportunity cost
• Supply and demand
• Markets and competition
• Production and economic resources
• Government involvement in the economy
• Gross domestic product
• Inflation and unemployment
• Fiscal and monetary policy
• International trade
• Personal and consumer economics

A strong study plan should include source analysis, map and graph interpretation, chronology, cause-and-effect relationships, comparison, and drawing conclusions from evidence—not just memorizing names and dates.

1. Check your state requirements. Confirm whether your certification pathway requires 5589 or still accepts 5089.
2. Sign in to or create a Praxis account.
3. Select the correct test code. Do not register for 5089 simply because that code appears in older preparation materials.
4. Choose your testing option. ETS currently offers 5589 at home or at a test center.
5. Schedule your appointment and pay the exam fee. The current 5589 fee is $130.

Study Checklist

• Verify whether you need test 5589 or 5089.
• Use the current ETS Study Companion for your test code.
• Give U.S. History the most study time; it makes up approximately 29% of 5589.
• Review both World History and Civics thoroughly; each accounts for about 21%.
• Practice geography using maps and other visual sources.
• Do not neglect economics even though it is the smallest category.
• Practice interpreting primary and secondary sources.
• Work with charts, graphs, maps, photographs, and political cartoons.
• Practice explaining historical causes, effects, continuity, and change.
• Review questions you miss and identify why your answer was incorrect.
• Practice maintaining your pace across 140 questions in 150 minutes.

Do not mix the two blueprints. Praxis 5089 and Praxis 5589 assess many of the same subject areas, but their structure, timing, fees, question counts, weighting, and response formats are different.

Official Praxis Middle School Social Studies (5589) Page — Check the current exam fee, testing options, format, and official preparation materials.

Official Praxis 5589 Study Companion — Review the complete blueprint, content topics, sample questions, and answer explanations.

Official Praxis Middle School Social Studies (5089) Page — Use this page if your jurisdiction still requires or accepts the older exam.

Praxis State Requirements — Confirm which exam code and qualifying score your state currently requires.

Praxis Middle School Social Studies 5589 Study Guide — Find current Mometrix review material and practice questions aligned with the revised exam.