5236 · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026
Praxis (5236): Biology: Content Knowledge
In short
The Praxis Biology: Content Knowledge (5236) exam has 150 selected-response questions in 2.5 hours, with passing scores set by each state. It covers the nature of science and engineering, cell biology, genetics and evolution, organismal biology, and ecology. Free practice questions and a full study plan are below.
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- Free updates
- Web + mobile app
- Fully editable
- Questions
- 150 selected-response questions
- Time limit
- 2.5 hours
- Cost
- $130
- Format
- selected-response · numeric-entry · selecting parts of a graphic · selecting sentences · drag and drop · drop-down menu
- Delivery
- Computer-delivered
- Calculator
- Calculators are not permitted for this exam.
- Prep time
- ~90 hours
Exam overview
The Praxis Biology: Content Knowledge (5236) exam is a comprehensive assessment designed for aspiring secondary biology teachers. It evaluates your mastery of the biological sciences, ensuring you are well-equipped to teach the curriculum effectively. The exam aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and integrates both core biological concepts and the practical tasks of teaching science. Spanning 150 selected-response questions over two and a half hours, the test is divided into five primary content categories: Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution, Diversity of Life, and Ecology. Candidates are expected to demonstrate not only subject-matter expertise but also the ability to apply this knowledge to scientific inquiry and classroom instruction. To streamline your preparation, Only Ever maps every domain to 15-minute study topics. This focused approach allows you to tackle complex biological mechanisms, from cellular respiration to population genetics, in manageable, bite-sized sessions that fit your schedule.
Exam domains & weighting
Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.
How to study this domain
Focus on the fundamentals of experimental design, data interpretation, and error analysis. Understand how scientific knowledge develops and intersects with both society and engineering practices.
Key objectives
- Nature of Scientific Knowledge
- Experimental Design and Analysis
- Laboratory Procedures and Safety
- Engineering Design Process
- Human Impacts on the Environment
- Science in Health and Agriculture
Readiness self-check
Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.
Quick reference
Key Scientific & Educational Acronyms
Important abbreviations commonly referenced in the Praxis Biology exam and teaching standards.
- NGSS
- Next Generation Science Standards
- SEP
- Science and Engineering Practice
- DCI
- Disciplinary Core Idea
- NSTA
- National Science Teaching Association
- ATP
- Adenosine Triphosphate
- PCR
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- GMO
- Genetically Modified Organism
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- More than 40 percent of the questions integrate a Science and Engineering Practice (SEP), requiring you to analyze data, interpret models, or evaluate experimental designs.
- Approximately 25 percent of the exam covers Tasks of Teaching Science, applying biology content directly to classroom scenarios and student misconceptions.
- Some questions on the exam are unscored pretest items used by ETS for statistical purposes, but they are not identified during the test.
- The exam content strongly reflects the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) preparation standards.
Reading isn’t remembering.
Most Praxis biology prep either stays shallow across vast domains like genetics and ecology or piles facts without the cross-topic structure and application the exam expects.
We translate the official ETS syllabus into a full learning map with topic-sized notes, explicit domain boundaries, and retention-focused structure covering all five major biology content categories.