Praxis II Chemistry: Content Knowledge
The Praxis II Series Chemistry Knowledge exam is constructed to assess the ability of prospective teachers to teach high school chemistry. Administered over the course of two hours, this exam contains 100 multiple choice questions that are divided into seven areas as follows:
- 23 questions covering Periodicity and Reactivity; Chemical Reactions; Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry
- 16 questions covering Matter and Energy; Heat, Thermodynamics and Thermo chemistry
- 14 questions covering Nomenclature; The Mole, Chemical Bonding, and Geometry
- 14 questions covering Mathematics, Measurement, and Data Management; Laboratory Procedures and Safety
- 12 questions covering Solutions and Solubility; Acid/Base Chemistry
- 11 questions covering History and Nature of Science; Science, Technology and Social Perspectives
- 10 questions covering Atomic and Nuclear Structure
The questions in the category of Periodicity and Reactivity; Chemical Reactions; Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry cover patterns of periodicity in electron configurations, periodicity in association with kinds of bonds, chemical reactions, characteristics of atoms, organic chemistry and chemistry related to biology.
The category of Matter and Energy; Heat; Thermodynamics, and Thermochemistry will focus on the types, arrangement, characteristics, and preservation of matter and/or energy. This area will also cover measurement of temperature; the influence of thermal energy on matter; the conduction of thermal energy; laws of molecular kinetics, gases, and thermodynamics; and thermochemistry.
The Nomenclature category will test knowledge of the naming system of molecular and ionic compounds and the naming of organic compounds among functional groups. Questions will also cover the mole as part of the composition of chemicals, chemical formulas, chemical bonding, and molecular biology.
The questions in the area of Mathematics and will concentrate of measuring and interpreting data, and the area of Lab Procedures will cover the proper use of substances and tools used in laboratories, safety associated with the mixing of chemicals, and proper disposal of substances.
The category regarding solutions, acids and bases will cover content such as vocabulary, kinds of solutions, influences of solubility, concentration, and the chemistry of acids and bases.
The History and Nature of Science category will cover the scientific process, formulation of experiments, the history of science, and issues related to science and society.
The Atomic and Nuclear Structure questions include the structure of atoms, the arrangement of electrons, and nuclear reactions.
