If you need help studying for the NYSTCE Social Studies exam 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 NYSTCE Social Studies practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
There are 91 questions on the exam, which are grouped into seven competencies, and the time limit is 3 hours and 15 minutes.
The questions are split into two types:
90 questions
Selected-response questions require you to select the correct answer from a list of options. Multiple-choice questions are the most common example, but you may also see true-or-false questions and “matching” questions, which ask you to match terms or concepts with their definitions.
Constructed-Response (CR)
1 question
The constructed-response question requires you to write your answer instead of selecting from a list of choices. Your response to this question is generally expected to be at least a few sentences, but you’ll be given specific details and instructions before you take the test.
Let’s take a closer look at the competencies on the exam.
1. UNITED STATES HISTORY
16 questions
- Global heritage of the US and New York populations prior to 1500
- Major developments and turning points related to European exploration of the Americas and New York
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the Revolution
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the the era of expansion and reform
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the Civil War and Reconstruction
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the development of industrial society
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the emergence of modern society
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the the postwar period
- Major developments and turning points related to the US and New York during the contemporary era
- Patterns and continuity change pertaining to larger historical processes and themes
2. GLOBAL HISTORY
16 questions
- Major developments and turning points in global history during the development of classical civilizations up to 500 CE
- Major developments and turning points in global history during the era of expanding zones of exchange and encounter
- Major developments and turning points in global history during the era of global interactions
- Major developments and turning points in global history during the emergence of the first global age
- Major developments and turning points in global history during the Age of Revolutions
- Major developments and turning points in global history during a half century of crisis
- Major developments and turning points in global history during an era of conflict and globalization
- Patterns and continuity change pertaining to larger historical processes and themes
3. GEOGRAPHY
13 questions
- Developing and using maps and other tools to examine spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics
- Physical and human characteristics of places
- The nature of regions
- Physical processes that shape the earth’s surface
- The distribution of human populations
- Connections and interactions among regions and nations
- The effect of physical systems and climatic factors on human systems
4. ECONOMICS
13 questions
- The problem of scarcity and the challenges of meeting needs and wants
- The influence of incentives and specialization on economic behavior
- The influence of markets, prices, competition, and supply on personal income
- The role of economic institutions and the law in market economics
- Economic indicators and related tools for measuring economic activity
- The role of comparative advantage in international trade
- Basic principles of personal finance
5. CIVICS, CITIZENSHIP, AND GOVERNMENT
15 questions
- The meaning of civic life
- The purposes of governments
- The characteristics of limited and unlimited government
- Past and present political systems as compared to the current US political system
- The foundations of the US political system
- The distribution of authority and responsibility within the US government
- The structures, powers, and responsibilities of various institutions
- How public policy is made
- The role of the judiciary as reflected in the rule of law
- International relations and the purposes and functions of international organizations
- The US election process
- Civic ideals and the rights and responsibilities of US citizens
6. SOCIAL STUDIES LITERACY
17 questions
- Citing textual evidence to support analysis of sources
- Determining the central ideas of sources
- Evaluating various explanations for events, determining the best explanations, and recognizing where there is insufficient information
- Determining the meaning of words and phrases
- Analyze the structure of complex social studies texts
- Evaluating authors’ differing perspectives
- Integrating and evaluating multiple sources of information
- Evaluating premises, claims, and evidence
- Distinguished opinions from facts
- Testing hypotheses, inferences, and generalizations
- Evaluating various resources
7. PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE
1 question
How to Register
To get started with your registration, you’ll need to create an account on the NYSTCE website. You can then register for the exam and schedule a test date through your account.
When you submit your registration, you’ll need to pay the $122 testing fee.
Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 520 to pass the test.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who 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.
NYSTCE Social Studies Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
FAQs
How many questions are on the NYSTCE Social Studies exam?
The exam contains 91 questions.
What is the time limit for the NYSTCE Social Studies exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours and 15 minutes.
What is the passing score for the NYSTCE Social Studies exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 520 to pass.
How much does the NYSTCE Social Studies exam cost?
The testing fee is $122.