If you need help studying for the NES Social Science test or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free NES Social Science practice test!
What’s on the Test?
The NES Social Science exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll be timed at three hours.
The test is split into five sections:
1. Historiography and World History
25% of the exam
- Historical concepts, terms, sources, and research skills
- Major developments in world history up to 1350 CE
- Major developments in world history from 1350 to 1871
- Major developments in world history from 1871 to present day
2. US History
25% of the exam
- Major developments in US history up to 1789
- Major developments in US history from 1789 to 1877
- Major developments in US history from 1877 to 1929
- Major developments in US history from 9129 to present day
3. Geography and Culture
19% of the exam
- Geographic terms, sources, concepts, and research skills
- Physical features and systems of the environment
- Interactions between the environment and human societies
- Human systems
4. Government
19% of the exam
- Political science concepts, terms, and research skills
- The foundations of US government
- The rights and responsibilities of US citizenship
- The structure and operation of different levels of US government
5. Economics
12% of the exam
- Basic economic concepts
- Microeconomics
- Consumer economics
- Personal finance
- Macroeconomics
- International economics
How to Register
To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to create an NES account on their website. You can then register for the exam via your account.
The testing fee is $95.
How the Exam is Scored
The exam is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 100 and 300.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
FAQs
How many questions are on the NES Social Science exam?
The exam contains 150 questions.
What is the time limit for the NES Social Science exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the NES Social Science exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 220 to pass.
How much does the NES Social Science exam cost?
The testing fee is $95.