The Praxis II for Chemistry

The Praxis II for chemistry is also known as the Praxis Subject Assessment #5245. This exam is one of the more challenging Praxis science tests. Today, we’ll take a good look at this test: its purpose, format, content, and prep materials.

Praxis II Chemistry

The Praxis II for Chemistry: Purpose and Format

The Praxis II for Chemistry is an exam for teachers who plan to teach chemistry. The majority of teachers who take this exam go on to teach chemistry in high school. In rare cases, chemistry is sometimes also taught to younger students. Chemistry classes below the high school level are most common at elite private and parochial schools.

The test’s format is all selected response and no constructed response. The test consists of 125 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of two and a half hours.

Praxis Subject Assessment 5245: Content

One thing that makes the Praxis II chemistry exam especially challenging is its holistic nature. By this, I mean that the test focuses on many different aspects of chemistry. Moreover, most areas of chemistry get equal attention on the test.

The following 6 categories each take up 12-15% of the exam:

  • Scientific procedures and techniques (12%)
  • Scientific inquiry and social perspectives of science (12%)
  • Solutions, solubility, and acid-based chemistry (15%)
  • Nomenclature, chemical composition, bonding, and structure (15%)
  • Atomic and nuclear structure (12%)
  • Basic principles of matter, energy, and thermodynamics (14%)

In addition to these 6 topics, one topic is slightly emphasized in the test questions. Chemical reactions and the periodic table of elements takes up 20% of the exam, with 25 questions. Be sure to study each aspect of chemistry with extra care as you prep for the Chemistry Praxis II.

The best study materials for the Praxis II for Chemistry (5245)

The absolute best study materials for the Chemistry Praxis II are the ones made by ETS. ETS offers just two official resources for Praxis II Chemistry. The official Study Companion PDF for Chemistry: Content Knowledge can be downloaded for free. There is also a web-based practice test for Praxis II Chemistry. This costs $19.95.

In addition to these official materials, there are also some unofficial Praxis II Chemistry books and flashcards. Any materials from third-party publishers should be approached with caution. Some unofficial materials make excellent supplements to the stuff from ETS. However, other materials aren’t authentic to the Praxis and won’t adequately prepare you.

At the time that I write this, the Exam Secrets Study Guide for Praxis II Chemistry seems to be the most promising unofficial resource. On Amazon, this book has the most reader reviews, currently with a 4-star rating.

Ultimately, though, the best source for non-ETS materials will be your own chemistry textbooks. This exam assesses the knowledge you gained while you studied chemistry in college. Treat it as a review of your past chemistry coursework. And think of the ETS materials as a kind of study guide for your textbooks.

By the way, sign up for our 1 Week Free Trial to try out Magoosh Praxis Prep!

Author

  • David Recine

    David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he's helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles, his Master's Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he's presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram, or connect with him via LinkedIn!

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6 Responses to The Praxis II for Chemistry

  1. Brian July 16, 2018 at 5:59 PM #

    Hello,

    Do you know if there are formulas on the Praxis II Chemistry 5245 exam? No calculator is permitted.

    Thank you

    • Magoosh Test Prep Expert
      Magoosh Test Prep Expert July 17, 2018 at 12:04 PM #

      Hi Brian,

      Our expertise is in the Praxis Core tests, but you can find a lot of information about the structure of the test in the Study Companion for the Praxis Chemistry Test. On page 6 it says that examinees will not need to use a calculator. Based on the questions in the Study Companion, simple calculations will be needed, but all of the information you need to know in order to solve them will be provided!

    • Atascan July 1, 2019 at 5:24 PM #

      They told me it would appear on the screen however it did not, I did not check the help icon though

  2. Atascan July 1, 2019 at 5:23 PM #

    Hi I just took praxis 2 chemistry exam, I saw my score as 152, I believe this is my unofficial score and it may change a bit. I need 154, so by any chance can I pass?? Since there is a -+ 3 point interval

    • Magoosh Test Prep Expert
      Magoosh Test Prep Expert July 3, 2019 at 7:54 PM #

      Hi Atascan,

      Changes of up to 3 points have been reported on scores before, but it’s not very common. With that said, you won’t know for sure until you get your official scores. If I was you, I’d start preparing for a retake just in case.

      Best of luck!

    • Jasmine July 30, 2019 at 5:23 PM #

      Can you please tell me how you studied? I am stuck between scoring 140-141.


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