The Social Studies: Content and Interpretation test assesses the knowledge and skills necessary for a beginning secondary school social studies teacher. The test is based on the understanding and application of social studies knowledge, concepts, methodologies, and skills across the fields of United States History, World History, Government/Civics/Political Science, Geography, Economics, and Behavioral Sciences. The content of the test is based largely on the National Standards for Social Studies Teachers created by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

Some of the selected-response and all of the short-essay questions are interdisciplinary, reflecting the complex relationship among the social studies fields. Some questions are based on interpreting stimulus material such as written passages, maps, charts, graphs, tables, cartoons, diagrams, and photographs. The three equally weighted short-answer/essay questions will focus on important historical events and issues as well as on fundamental social studies concepts. These questions, which should take about 10 minutes each to complete and will together comprise 25 percent of the examinee’s score, will emphasize the exercise of critical thinking skills, requiring the reading and interpreting of social studies materials (such as maps, charts, quotations); drawing inferences from such materials; and placing these materials in their historical, geographical, political, and economic contexts.

The 90 equally weighted selected-response questions will constitute 75 percent of the examinee’s score. This test may contain some questions that will not count toward your score.