Pre-Admission Content Test 2023-04-06T19:14:19+00:00

Pre-Admission Content Test

The Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) simply means that you’re taking your TExES content test before enrolling in a certification program.

The PACT is not a different content test, but a way to let the test provider (Pearson) and the state of Texas know you want to take the TExES exam but are not enrolled in a certification program.

NOTE: Once you enroll in a certification program, you must have the program’s permission to take a TExES exam. But the state allows individuals not currently enrolled in a program to take a TExES exam. To do this, the state set up the PACT route- which means you take the exact same TExES exam as every other teacher, you’re just taking the exam pre-admission, or before admission, into a certification program.

Table of Contents

How to Decide Which Test to Take

To become a certified teacher in Texas you must take a content test- otherwise known as a TExES exam.

The Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) is the exam series for teachers in the state of Texas. The TExES is an individual test, but refers to all the content test offered by the state of Texas.

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- we call this a “content test”. The TExES is just the umbrella term that refers to all the individual content tests. 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 will be teaching.

How do you know which TExES to 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

  • English Language Arts 4-8
  • Mathematics 4-8
  • Social Studies 4-8
  • Science 4-8
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
  • English Language Arts 7-12
  • Mathematics 7-12
  • Social Studies 7-12
  • Science 7-12
  • Life Science 7-12
  • Physical Science 7-12
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.

Questions

This is not every TExES exam, just the most popular ones. To find a full list of TExES exams, visit the test provider webpage: Test Provider Preparation Manuals

Can I take more than one content test?

Yes! You can take multiple content tests. Passing multiple content tests allows you to apply for multiple teaching positions and makes obtaining a teaching job easier.

What if I don’t see my area on the list above?

If you don’t see the area you want to teach, either contact a certification program or visit the following webpage: Pearson Preparation Manuals

How to Study for the PACT

Studying for the PACT 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. TheCORE 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 PACT