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100+ Free Praxis Physical Science 5485 Practice Questions

Pass your Praxis Physical Science Content Knowledge (5485) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Praxis Physical Science 5485 Exam

125

Selected-Response Questions

ETS Praxis 5485 Study Companion

2h 30m

Testing Time

ETS Praxis 5485 Study Companion

$130

Current Exam Fee

ETS Praxis Website

33%

Largest Domains (Chemistry and Physics each)

ETS Praxis 5485 Study Companion

For 2026, the Praxis 5485 is a 125-question, 2.5-hour computer-delivered selected-response exam priced at $130. The official study companion weights the exam across four categories: Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering 14%, Principles and Models of Matter and Energy 20%, Chemistry 33%, and Physics 33%.

Sample Praxis Physical Science 5485 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Praxis Physical Science 5485 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A scientific theory is best described as which of the following?
A.A guess that has not yet been tested by experiment
B.A well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena supported by a large body of evidence
C.A mathematical equation that always predicts results exactly
D.A law that can never be modified once it is accepted
Explanation: In science, a theory is a comprehensive, well-tested explanation of an aspect of the natural world that is supported by a large body of reproducible evidence. Theories can be refined as new evidence emerges, but they are not mere guesses.
2A student measures the length of a table as 1.250 m. How many significant figures does this measurement contain?
A.2
B.3
C.4
D.5
Explanation: In the value 1.250 m, all four digits are significant: the 1, 2, and 5 are nonzero, and the trailing zero after the decimal point is significant because it indicates measurement precision.
3In a controlled experiment testing how temperature affects the rate of a reaction, what is the independent variable?
A.The reaction rate that is measured
B.The temperature that the experimenter sets
C.The volume of the container, kept constant
D.The type of catalyst, kept constant
Explanation: The independent variable is the factor the experimenter deliberately manipulates. Here, temperature is intentionally varied to observe its effect, so temperature is the independent variable.
4Convert 2.5 kilometers to meters using dimensional analysis.
A.25 m
B.250 m
C.2,500 m
D.25,000 m
Explanation: Since 1 km equals 1,000 m, multiplying 2.5 km by 1,000 m/km gives 2,500 m. Dimensional analysis cancels the km units and leaves meters.
5Several students repeatedly measure the mass of an object and obtain values clustered tightly together but all far from the object's true mass. These results are best described as
A.accurate but not precise
B.precise but not accurate
C.both accurate and precise
D.neither accurate nor precise
Explanation: Precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to one another, while accuracy refers to closeness to the true value. Tightly clustered results that miss the true value are precise but not accurate, indicating a systematic error.
6Express the number 0.00042 in scientific notation.
A.4.2 x 10^-4
B.4.2 x 10^-3
C.42 x 10^-5
D.4.2 x 10^4
Explanation: To write 0.00042 in scientific notation, the decimal point moves four places to the right to give 4.2, so the exponent is -4. The correct form is 4.2 x 10^-4.
7A teacher asks students to design an investigation. Which of the following best demonstrates a testable hypothesis?
A.Plants are beautiful and important to nature
B.Increasing light intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis in a plant
C.Why do plants need sunlight to survive?
D.Photosynthesis is a complicated process
Explanation: A testable hypothesis is a specific, falsifiable statement that proposes a relationship between variables that can be measured. Predicting that increased light intensity raises the photosynthesis rate can be tested experimentally.
8A measured value is 9.8 m/s^2 but the accepted value is 9.81 m/s^2. What is the percent error of the measurement, rounded to two significant figures?
A.0.10%
B.0.20%
C.1.0%
D.2.0%
Explanation: Percent error equals the absolute difference divided by the accepted value, times 100. That is (|9.8 - 9.81| / 9.81) x 100 = (0.01 / 9.81) x 100, which is approximately 0.10%.
9Which scientific practice is most directly used when a researcher organizes collected numerical data into a graph showing distance versus time?
A.Forming a hypothesis
B.Analyzing and interpreting data
C.Identifying a research question
D.Defining a problem
Explanation: Constructing a graph to display relationships in numerical data is part of analyzing and interpreting data, a core science and engineering practice. Graphs help reveal patterns and support drawing conclusions.
10Which of the following best describes how scientific models are used in physical science?
A.Models are exact copies of reality with no simplifications
B.Models are simplified representations used to explain and predict phenomena
C.Models replace the need for experimental evidence
D.Models are used only in chemistry, not physics
Explanation: Scientific models, such as the particulate model of matter or a planetary model of the atom, are simplified representations that help scientists explain observations and predict outcomes. They are tools, not perfect duplicates of nature.

About the Praxis Physical Science 5485 Exam

Praxis Physical Science Content Knowledge (5485) is the ETS subject assessment for secondary physical science teacher certification. This practice bank covers all four official categories: the nature and impact of science and engineering, principles and models of matter and energy, chemistry, and physics.

Questions

125 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours 30 minutes

Passing Score

Varies by state (typically 140-152)

Exam Fee

$130 (ETS / Praxis)

Praxis Physical Science 5485 Exam Content Outline

14%

Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering

Nature of scientific knowledge, experimental design, standard units and dimensional analysis, significant figures, scientific notation, error analysis, accuracy and precision, and interpreting data.

20%

Principles and Models of Matter and Energy

Atomic and nuclear structure, radioactivity and half-life, classification of matter, chemical versus physical changes, energy forms and conservation, specific heat, phase transitions, and kinetic molecular theory.

33%

Chemistry

Chemical composition, bonding and structure, Lewis structures, VSEPR, intermolecular forces, periodicity, reaction types, balancing, stoichiometry, reaction kinetics, solutions, and acid-base chemistry.

33%

Physics

Mechanics, Newton's laws, momentum, energy and work, electrostatics, circuits and Ohm's law, magnetism, waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, optics, and sound.

How to Pass the Praxis Physical Science 5485 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Varies by state (typically 140-152)
  • Exam length: 125 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Exam fee: $130

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Praxis Physical Science 5485 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Split your prep evenly between Chemistry and Physics, since together they make up two-thirds (66%) of the exam.
2Practice quantitative problems: stoichiometry, Ohm's law, specific heat, gas laws, wave speed, and pH calculations appear frequently.
3Review VSEPR theory, Lewis structures, periodic trends, and intermolecular forces for the chemistry questions.
4Master Newton's laws, energy conservation, circuits, waves, and the electromagnetic spectrum for the physics questions.
5Study experimental design, significant figures, accuracy versus precision, and percent error for the nature of science section.
6Expect teaching-scenario questions: about one-quarter to one-third of items apply content to instructional tasks, so practice addressing student misconceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Praxis Physical Science exam (5485)?

The Praxis Physical Science Content Knowledge exam has 125 selected-response questions to be completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

What is a passing score on the Praxis Physical Science 5485 exam?

Passing scores are set by each state and commonly range from about 140 to 152. Check the ETS state requirements page for your specific state's passing score.

What content is covered on the Praxis Physical Science 5485 exam?

The exam covers four categories: Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering (14%), Principles and Models of Matter and Energy (20%), Chemistry (33%), and Physics (33%).

Is the Praxis 5485 different from the General Science and Chemistry exams?

Yes. The Physical Science 5485 focuses on chemistry and physics, the General Science 5435 covers all science disciplines including biology and earth science, and the Chemistry 5245 covers chemistry only in greater depth.

Can I use a calculator on the Praxis Physical Science 5485 exam?

According to the ETS study companion, the test does not require calculator use, and an on-screen calculator is not provided for this assessment.

How much does the Praxis Physical Science 5485 exam cost?

The current ETS test fee for the Praxis Physical Science 5485 is $130, plus any optional preparation materials you choose to purchase.