- FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) is a Florida Subject Area Examination developed and administered by Pearson Evaluation Systems (NES).
- The test has about 80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, with a passing scaled score of 200.
- History (33%), Geography (25%), and Civics and Government (25%) together account for 83% of all questions.
- Registration costs $150 per attempt, and retakes require a 31-day wait with no cap on total attempts.
What Is the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038)?
The FTCE Middle Grades Social Science 5-9 (038) is a Florida certification exam used to verify that a candidate has the content knowledge required to teach social science to students in grades 5 through 9. It is not a general teaching-skills test and it is not a pedagogy-heavy exam. Instead, it is built almost entirely around subject-matter mastery in history, geography, civics and government, and economics, with only a small slice devoted to instructional practice. If you have ever searched "What Is FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038)?" or wondered about the exact terminology behind the acronym, this article walks through the mechanics: who runs it, how it is scored, what it covers, and who typically needs it.
Who Governs and Administers the Exam
The exam is governed by the Florida Department of Education, which sets the certification requirements and passing standards. Day-to-day development and administration are handled by Pearson Evaluation Systems (NES), which builds the test forms, manages the computer-based testing centers, and issues score reports. Testing sites are located throughout Florida and at additional locations nationwide, which matters if you moved out of state but still want to pursue a Florida certification pathway.
Because a bachelor's degree and appropriate subject-area preparation are required for certification (though not to simply register for the exam), many candidates take this test while finishing a degree program or while transitioning into teaching from another career. For a full breakdown of who is eligible and what documentation is expected, see the dedicated page on FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) requirements.
Exam Format: Questions, Timing, and Scoring
The FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) is delivered as a computer-based test with approximately 80 multiple-choice questions, and candidates are given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete it. Some forms include unscored field-test items mixed in with scored questions; these are used to evaluate future test content and do not count toward your result, but because they are indistinguishable from scored items, every question should be treated as if it matters.
Passing requires a scaled score of at least 200. Because Florida equates each form for difficulty, the number of raw questions you need to answer correctly can shift slightly from form to form. Florida's published maximum-percentage table puts the ceiling around 61% correct, which is considered one of the more forgiving thresholds across the FTCE program. That does not mean the exam is easy - it means the scoring model gives some room for missed questions, particularly in a content area as broad as world and Florida history. For a deeper look at how that scaled score translates into practical study targets, read the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) passing score breakdown.
No reference materials, calculators, or notes are permitted during the test. Every date, term, geographic concept, and constitutional principle needs to be recalled from memory under timed conditions.
Key Takeaway
Because no references are allowed and the ceiling sits near 61%, prioritize breadth of recall over perfect mastery of any single obscure topic.
Registration, Fees, and Retake Rules
Registering for FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) costs $150 for the first attempt, and every subsequent retake also costs $150. There is no prerequisite exam or coursework needed to register - you can sit for it before finishing your degree program, although actual certification still requires a bachelor's degree and appropriate subject-area preparation.
If you do not pass on your first try, Florida requires a 31-calendar-day waiting period before you can retake the exam, but there is no limit on the total number of attempts. On the other end, if you do pass, you cannot retake that same test for three years - a rule that matters if you are considering retaking simply to try for a higher score. Score verification, for candidates who want their result manually rechecked, costs $75, and score reports are typically released within four weeks of the test date.
For anyone budgeting the full path to certification - registration, potential retakes, and verification - the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) certification cost guide lays out every fee in one place. If you're trying to plan around Florida's testing calendar, the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) exam dates page covers scheduling windows and deadlines.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Question count | ~80 multiple-choice questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 200 |
| Maximum-percentage ceiling | ~61% correct |
| First attempt fee | $150 |
| Retake fee | $150 (each retake) |
| Retake wait period | 31 calendar days |
| Score verification fee | $75 |
| Score report timing | Within 4 weeks |
The Five Knowledge Domains
FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) is organized into five knowledge domains, and the weighting is heavily skewed toward content knowledge rather than teaching methodology. Together, History, Geography, and Civics and Government make up 83% of the exam, while the teaching-focused domain accounts for only 7%. That imbalance should shape your entire preparation strategy.
Domain 1: Knowledge of History (33%)
This is the largest single domain and covers world civilizations across Africa, the Americas, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe, and Oceania. Candidates must also interpret primary sources and understand a distinct Florida strand covering immigration and settlement patterns along with the individuals, events, and characteristics that define Florida's historical periods.
- Broad world civilization timelines across every major region
- Primary source document analysis
- Florida-specific immigration, settlement, and historical figures
Domain 2: Knowledge of Geography (25%)
Covers the themes and elements of geography, interpreting maps and other spatial tools, building mental maps, and defining regions. It also includes human adaptation to environments, environmental impact, migration patterns, and economic development tied to geographic factors.
- Map reading and spatial-tool interpretation
- Human-environment interaction and adaptation
- Migration and regional economic development
Domain 3: Knowledge of Civics and Government (25%)
Focuses on the structure and purposes of government, the U.S. Constitution and other founding documents, and comparative political systems. It also includes elections, the layered structure of federal, state, and local government, the legal system, major Supreme Court cases, foreign policy, international bodies, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- Founding documents and constitutional principles
- Federal, state, and local government structures
- Landmark Supreme Court cases and their significance
Domain 4: Knowledge of Economics (10%)
A smaller but still significant domain testing core economic concepts as they relate to middle grades social science instruction, often intersecting with geography and civics content on trade, resources, and development.
Domain 5: Knowledge of Social Science Curriculum and Instruction (7%)
The only domain focused on pedagogy rather than content - the smallest portion of the exam, but still worth deliberate review since every point counts toward the 200 scaled-score threshold.
For a question-by-question walkthrough of how each domain tends to appear on the actual test, see the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) exam domains guide. If you're still deciding how challenging this exam will feel relative to your background, the how hard is the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) exam guide breaks down the difficulty by domain.
Who Takes This Exam and Why
Candidates pursuing FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) are typically aiming to teach social studies, history, geography, civics, or economics to students in grades 5 through 9 within Florida's public school system. This includes traditional education majors finishing a bachelor's degree, career-changers moving into teaching through alternative certification routes, and out-of-state educators seeking Florida certification. School districts hiring middle grades social science teachers generally require this subject area certification as part of the hiring process, alongside the broader FTCE requirements.
Because certification depends on more than just passing this one exam, it helps to understand the full picture before you register. The FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) Certification overview and the requirements guide both explain how this exam fits into the larger certification pathway, including degree and preparation program expectations.
A Domain-Aware Study Approach
Given that History, Geography, and Civics and Government make up 83% of the test, your study time should mirror that weighting rather than being split evenly across all five domains. A reasonable approach is to dedicate the most calendar time to History first since it is the single largest domain at 33%, then move into Geography and Civics and Government in parallel since they carry equal weight, and finish with a lighter review pass on Economics and the Curriculum and Instruction domain.
History Deep Dive
- Review world civilizations region by region: Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East, Europe, Oceania
- Practice analyzing primary source excerpts
- Study Florida's historical periods, immigration waves, and settlement patterns
Geography and Civics/Government
- Drill map and spatial-tool interpretation questions
- Review founding documents, government structures, and major Supreme Court cases
- Connect geographic themes to migration and economic development
Economics and Instruction, Plus Full Review
- Cover core economics vocabulary and concepts
- Review Social Science Curriculum and Instruction basics
- Take timed full-length practice sessions to simulate the 2 hour 30 minute limit
This kind of spaced, domain-weighted schedule pairs well with active recall and short timed practice blocks rather than passive rereading, since the real exam gives you no reference materials to lean on. For a more detailed week-by-week plan built specifically around this test's content weighting, see the full FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) study guide, and for a compact review tool in the final days before your test, the FTCE MGSS 5-9 (038) cheat sheet condenses the highest-yield facts onto one page. You can also run realistic timed practice sessions on our practice test platform to get comfortable with the pacing before test day.
Key Takeaway
Spend roughly a third of your study time on History alone, and treat Geography and Civics and Government as equally important second priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is overwhelmingly a content-knowledge exam. History, Geography, and Civics and Government together make up 83% of the questions, while the teaching-focused Social Science Curriculum and Instruction domain is only 7%.
There is no limit on the number of attempts. You must wait 31 calendar days between retakes, and each retake costs $150. Once you pass, however, you cannot retake that same test for three years.
No. No reference materials of any kind are provided or allowed, so all history, geography, civics, and economics content must be memorized in advance.
You need a scaled score of at least 200. Because forms are equated for difficulty, the exact raw percentage needed can vary, though Florida's published table puts the maximum ceiling around 61% correct.
No prerequisite exam or coursework is required simply to register. However, actual Florida certification requires a bachelor's degree along with appropriate subject-area preparation.