The TExES Exam
The Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) is the exam series for teachers in the state of Texas. The TExES is not an individual test, but refers to all the content tests offered by the state of Texas.
All of the tests in the TExES program contain multiple-choice questions. Some tests also have additional types of questions (e.g., open-ended written or oral responses). For more information about individual tests and test composition, see the Preparation Manual for each test.
NOTE: “Content Test” refers to the specific test you must take to teach a specific subject in Texas. Every teacher in the state of Texas must take a test demonstrating they understand the content they will teach- called a “content test”. The TExES is just the umbrella term that refers to all the individual content test. Think of the TExES exam like the automobile company Ford. People say, “I drive a Ford”- but they mean they drive a car made by Ford. When someone tells you that you must pass the TExES, they mean you must pass the appropriate Texas Examination of Educator Standards content test for what you’ll be teaching.
Table of Contents
When to Take the TExES
Typically, you take a TExES content test after earning a degree. You can take the test when:
- You’re enrolled in your certification program. You need permission from your certification program to do this.
- You’re a college graduate but haven’t enrolled in a certification program. If you want to go through an alternative certification program, it’s great to take your content test before you enroll.
- After you become a certified teacher.
If you’re already enrolled in a certification program, you need to contact them to explore your testing options.
If you’re already certified to teach, you can take any content test, whenever you want.
Key Details About the TExES
Cost: $116 (per test).
The CORE Subjects EC-6 and CORE Subjects 4-8 are divided into subtests. After attempting the entire CORE Subjects EC-6 and CORE Subjects 4-8, you are allowed to attempt individual subtests.
- Subtest Fee: $58 Test fee (per subject test) for test codes 801-809 (NOTE: You must take the overall Core Subjects test first; if you don’t pass a subtest you can then take just that subject test. Passing one of the subject tests within the overall Core Subjects tests does not qualify you to be certified.)
Location: Testing locations are available throughout the state of Texas, surrounding states, and some international sites. You should be able to find a testing center close to you, or in the closest metropolitan area.
If you fail your test (or a subtest of your test) you must at least 45 days before retaking the test.
Pre-Admission Content Test
If you have graduated from college and want to teach, but haven’t enrolled in a certification program, you can take a content test ASAP.
To take a content test before enrolling in a certification program you must take the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).
Now the PACT test can be a little confusing.
The PACT test simply allows you to take the content test “pre-admission”, or before being enrolled, in a certification program.
If you take a PACT test, you’re still taking the exact same exam as everybody else, you’re just taking it as a Pre-Admission Content Test Taker- meaning you’re taking it before you’re enrolled in a certification exam.
You see, once you’re enrolled in a certification program you need permission to take the test.
But the Pre-Admission Content Test allows you to take your content test before enrolling in a certification program.
For more information, visit our Pre-Admission Content Test page.
Which Test Should You Take?
That’s a great question.
Below is a table to help you identify which content test you need to take.
Teaching Area |
Content Test |
What the Test Allows You to Teach |
| Elementary | CORE Subjects EC-6 | Passing the CORE Subjects EC-6 allows you to teach grades Early Childhood (EC) through Sixth (6) grade. You will be able to teach all subjects EC through grade 6. |
| Middle School | CORE Subjects 4-8
Or One of the Following
|
The CORE Subjects 4-8 allows you to teach English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies for grades 4-8.
Passing an individual 4-8 subject area- like Science 4-8- will allow you to teach in just that specific content area. |
| High School |
|
The 7-12 individual content tests allow you to teach a specific subject at the high school level.
For example, to teach high school Mathematics, you must pass the Mathematics 7-12 exam. |
| Special Education | Special Education EC-12 | The Special Education EC-12 exam allows you to teach Special Education.
If you want to teach Special Education, we recommend contacting a certification program. Typically, to teach Special Education or 8th grade and below, you must pass a content test as well. It’s best to contact a program to figure out exactly what exams you need to pass. |
| Bilingual Education | Bilingual Education Supplemental | The Bilingual Education Supplemental, combined with the CORE Subjects EC-6, allows you to teach an elementary Bilingual classroom. |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) | ESL Supplemental | The ESL Supplemental, combined with a content test, allows you to teach in an ESL classroom. |
This is not every TExES exam, just the most popular ones. To find a full list of TExES exams, visit the test provider webpage: Pearson Preparation Manuals
How to Study for the TExES
Studying for the TExES is incredibly important.
What and how you should study depends on the exam you’re taking.
NOTE: The material on the test covers the same concepts you’d teach in the classroom. So, the CORE Subjects EC-6 exam will have elementary level academic concepts, while the Mathematics 7-12 exam will have high school mathematics concepts- such as Calculus and Algebra 2.
These can make studying easier:
- Study Guides: We recommend using 240Tutoring– they have online study guides, each with a 48-hour no-questions-asked refund policy.
- Pearson Preparation Manuals: You should definitely refer to the Pearson Preparation Manual before you take the exam. The Pearson Preparation Manual outlines all the concepts the exam can cover, as well as give example questions.
- Textbooks: Textbooks are a great option, especially for the secondary (high school) exams.
How to Register for the TExES
Registering for the TExES can be complicated. To get all your questions answered, we recommend reviewing the Registration Bulletin published by the Testing Provider: Pearson Preparation Manuals
To register as a Pre-Admission Content Test taker- see instructions on our Pre-Admission Content Test page.