Texas Teacher
Content
Area Test
Preparation
If you’re hoping to become a certified teacher in the state of Texas, you’ll need to pass the Texas Educator Certification Program (TExES) exam in your identified content area.
In this article, we’ll cover what the TExES exam is and how to prepare for it.
What is the TExES Exam?
The TExES is a series of exams designed to make sure teachers have the knowledge and skills necessary to teach in Texas public schools. The TExES exams are developed and administered by Pearson.
In order to get your standard teaching license in Texas, you must pass the TExES exam in your content area. TExES exams test your knowledge and skills in teaching contents to students of a specific grade and subject level. Some example content areas for the TExES exams include Science 4-8, Physics/Mathematics 7-12, and Music Early Childhood – 12.
Notice that each exam targets a particular subject area and age range. You will need to pass the TExES exam that corresponds to what you want to teach.
Passing the Science 4-8 exam, for instance, would not be enough to permit you to have certification in teaching grade 12 biology.
The main purposes of the TExES exams are to:
- Qualify teachers for certification: All public school teachers in Texas must pass the TExES exam in their subject area to earn their standard teaching certificate. If you haven’t passed the exam, you cannot qualify for residency.
- Make sure all students receive a great education: The TExES exam helps make sure that all educators have demonstrated content mastery in their content area. This way, all students receive high quality education from their teachers.
How to Register for the TExES exam
If you want to receive your standard teaching license in Texas, you need to pass the TExES. Registering for the exam is the first step in that process.
Here’s how to register for the TExES exam:
Be in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
You need to meet certain requirements to be eligible to take a TExES exam. If you haven’t met the requirements, you won’t be allowed to take the exam.
iteach will help determine your eligibility based on what you studied in college and other factors.
Eligibility requirements depend on the specific exam you’re taking.Get Permission From Your EPP
Your Educator Preparation Program, like iteach, will approve you for your content area exam and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. After you’re a fully certified teacher, you can register for whichever TExES exams you wish to take.
They will look at your college transcripts to determine which content area test you are qualified to take.Select Your Exam
After you’re approved, you can register on the TExES website and select the exam (or exams) that you need to take to teach in your chosen content area.
Certain certifications may require more than one test. Be sure to check with your EPP to ensure you take all required exams.Choose Where and When You’ll Take Your Test
After you’ve chosen your exam(s), you’ll see availability for dates and times to take your test.
The TExES exams are administered at Pearson VUE test centers throughout Texas. Choose a location and time that’s convenient for you.Pay for Your Exam
To confirm your test, you need to pay the exam fee through the TExES website. Your fee is typically around $116.
That’s it! After you’ve completed the steps listed above, you’ll receive a confirmation email. That email will include your test date, subject area, time, and location.
Make sure to review the email to ensure there are no mistakes and save the information somewhere that you won’t lose it.
How to Test for the TExES Exam
Now that you know how to register for the TExES exam, let’s talk about how to take the test itself. While it can be scary to take such an important exam, knowing what you’ll experience and how to prepare can help you feel at ease on test day.
Most Pearson VUE test centers administer many kinds of tests, not just the TExES exam. You should expect to see many other test takers in different stages of testing when you arrive.
We recommend arriving well ahead of your scheduled test start time so you don’t miss your window. If you’re traveling somewhere new or unfamiliar for your test, look up directions ahead of time to make sure you don’t get lost.
You’ll need to bring government-issued identification to take your test. Other than that, most personal items, like cell phones, bags, and study materials, are prohibited from the testing area. Leave them at home or in your car so you don’t risk invalidating your results.
During the test, make sure you manage your time effectively. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. If you’re not sure of an answer, mark it for later and move on. You want to ensure you have enough time to finish the entire exam.
The exact format of your TExES exam will depend on your content area. Familiarizing yourself with the exam structure ahead of time can help with your preparation.
How to Study for the TExES Exam
By studying for your TExES exam ahead of time, you can learn the exam’s format and make sure you are familiar with key areas.
Here are some tips for studying for the TExES exam:
- Review the test framework: Understanding the test’s structure and content is key to both time management and ensuring you’ve covered all the needed topic areas.
- Make use of official student materials: TExES offers official preparation for all the TExES content exams. These materials will help you learn the test’s structure and give you an opportunity to see how you perform.
- Create (and stick to) a study schedule: You want to make sure you’ve set aside plenty of time to study before the exam. Create a realistic study schedule that takes into account your professional and personal responsibilities, then stick to it.
- Take practice tests: In addition to the official study guides, many organizations offer practice tests and sample question banks for you to use to build your confidence. Reviewing your results on practice tests will help you know where you need to study more.
- Ask for help: Asking for help when you need it can help make your studying more effective. If you’re stuck on a particular content area, a mentor or teacher might help you unblock it. If you need accountability, consider asking your peers to form a study group.
Last but not least, it’s important to get enough rest and take care of your body during your test preparation. Staying healthy will help keep you focused on passing your exam.
TExES Exam Content Areas
- 272 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 6–12
- 184 American Sign Language (ASL)
- 178 Art EC–12
- 164 Bilingual Education Supplemental
- 190 Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish
- 283 Braille (UEB)
- 276 Business and Finance 6–12
- 240 Chemistry 7–12
- 241 Computer Science 8–12
- 211 Core Subjects 4–8
- 391 Core Subjects EC–6
- 279 Dance 6–12
- 181 Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
- 292 Early Childhood: PK–3
- 253 Educational Diagnostician
- 154 English as a Second Language Supplemental
- 217 English Language Arts and Reading 4–8
- 231 English Language Arts and Reading 7–12
- 113 English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies 4–8
- 162 Gifted and Talented Supplemental
- 157 Health EC–12
- 273 Health Science 6–12
- 233 History 7–12
- 256 Journalism 7–12
- 610 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) French
- 611 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) German
- 612 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Latin
- 613 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Spanish
- 238 Life Science 7–12
- 275 Marketing 6–12
- 115 Mathematics 4–8
- 235 Mathematics 7–12
- 274 Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering 6–12
- 114 Mathematics/Science 4–8
- 177 Music EC–12
- 160 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12
- 370 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities for Trade and Industrial Education 6–12
- 158 Physical Education EC–12
- 237 Physical Science 6–12
- 243 Physics/Mathematics 7–12
- 268 Principal as Instructional Leader
- 151 Reading Specialist
- 252 School Counselor
- 150 School Librarian
- 116 Science 4–8
- 236 Science 7–12
- 293 Science of Teaching Reading
- 118 Social Studies 4–8
- 232 Social Studies 7–12
- 161 Special Education EC–12
- 163 Special Education Supplemental
- 129 Speech 7–12
- 195 Superintendent
- 242 Technology Applications EC–12
- 171 Technology Education 6–12
- 180 Theatre EC–12
- 182 Visually Impaired
Accessibility Options for Testing
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is committed to providing equal access to test takers with disabilities.
If you require accommodations for your exam, you can request them after you register for your test. You’ll need to have documentation of your disability in order to qualify.
Some of the common accommodations you might request include additional test time, a separate testing room, or the use of assistive technology to help you complete the test.
Prepare for the TExES Exam with Passage Preparation
If you want to earn your standard teaching license in Texas, you need to pass the TExES exam in your content area. It’s important to prepare well so you pass the test.
Passage Preparation can help you make sure you pass the TExES exam. Passage Preparation offers affordable, high-quality resources that can help you study for your TExES exam. If you’re enrolled in iteach, you’ll get access to Passage Preparation for free.
You’ll receive study guides, practice tests, and feedback aligned to the content measured on the TExES exam. That way, you’ll feel confident of passing when you go into test day.