About the FTCE Social Science 6–12 (037) Exam

About the FTCE Social Science 6–12 (037) Exam

Quick Answer: The FTCE Social Science 6–12 (037) is a computer-based Florida teacher certification exam with approximately 80 multiple-choice questions and a 2 hour 30 minute time limit. You need a scaled score of at least 200 to pass, the registration fee is $150, and no reference materials are provided. The test covers six competencies: geography (10%), economics (15%), political science (15%), world history (25%), U.S. history (25%), and social science methodology (10%).

The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) are owned by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and administered by its contractor, Pearson (Evaluation Systems). The Social Science 6–12 (037) subject area examination is how most candidates demonstrate mastery of subject area knowledge for Florida's Social Science 6–12 certificate coverage. This independent study guide by OpenExamPrep covers all six official competencies and all 53 listed skills.

Test Format at a Glance

Some items on any form may be pilot questions being evaluated for future tests; they do not count toward your score, and you cannot tell which ones they are, so treat every question as scored.

The Six Competencies and Their Weights

Item counts are estimates from the published percentages; Pearson does not publish a fixed count per competency. The key planning insight is that world history and U.S. history together make up about half of the test, while methodology items (data interpretation, source evaluation, teaching strategies) are spread across only about 8 questions but reward quick, careful reading.

How Scoring Works

Your raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) is converted to a scale score, so different test forms can share the same passing standard of 200. Because forms are equated for difficulty, the number of correct answers needed can vary slightly from form to form. FLDOE's Maximum Percentages of Correct Answers Needed table (updated October 1, 2025, effective January 1, 2026) lists 74% as the maximum percentage of correct answers needed to pass Social Science 6–12; a slightly harder form may require a little less. Because some items are unscored pilot questions, think in percentages rather than a fixed raw count: aim to answer comfortably more than three out of four questions correctly on practice tests before you sit for the real exam.

If you pass, your score report shows PASS. If you do not pass, the report shows your numeric score and a performance analysis showing how many questions you answered correctly in each competency. Use that breakdown to target your restudy.

Retakes and Score Verification

• Waiting period: You must wait 31 calendar days after a test attempt (or after a score verification session) before retaking; otherwise the retake score is invalidated. You also may not retake a test within three years of passing it.
• Retake fee: A retake of a subject area examination costs $150 under State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.0021.
• No attempt limit: FLDOE states that there is no limit on the number of times you can retake an FTCE exam you have not passed.
• Score verification: If you score within 10 scale-score points of 200, you can register for a score verification session ($75).

Registration and Test-Day Rules

• Create an FTCE/FELE account with Pearson, register, pay, and schedule. You have one year from registration to schedule an appointment.
• Florida's Bureau of Educator Certification determines which exams your certificate requires after you apply; the General Knowledge Test and Professional Education Test are separate requirements for a Professional Certificate.
• Bring two valid, unexpired forms of identification printed in English, one of them government-issued with your photo and signature, and arrive 30 minutes early.
• Fee waivers exist for eligible military personnel, veterans and spouses, and retired first responders on initial attempts.

A Study Plan That Matches the Blueprint

1. Take a diagnostic: Use the practice questions to find your weakest competencies before reading.
2. Front-load history: Spend roughly half of your study time on Chapters 6–14. Build a timeline that connects world and U.S. events (for example, the Enlightenment → the American Revolution → the French and Haitian revolutions).
3. Drill economics and government vocabulary: These items reward precise definitions (opportunity cost, federalism, judicial review).
4. Practice data and source items: Sections 1.4, 15.3, and 16.1 teach the map, graph, table, and primary-source skills that appear across all competencies.
5. Pace yourself: With 150 minutes for about 80 questions, you have a little under 2 minutes per question. Flag long stimulus items, answer every question (there is no penalty for guessing), and leave 10 minutes to review flagged items.
6. Review Florida-specific content: Florida history (Section 14.3), state and local government (Section 5.2), and Florida's required-instruction statute (Section 16.3) are natural targets for a Florida exam.