TExES Vouchers Available!

UTSA has a limited number of vouchers to pay for TExES tests. Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for students taking a first attempt at any test except PPR. To obtain the voucher submit the TExES eligibility form below, including your qualifying practice test scores. Act quickly! Once they are gone you will pay for your TExES test from your own pocket.

Texas law requires every person seeking educator certification to perform satisfactorily on comprehensive examinations. These examinations ensure that each educator has the necessary content and professional knowledge to perform satisfactorily in Texas public schools. Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) were developed for this purpose.

Educator Preparation Handbook

 

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Practice Exam Schedule

Register on Banner ASAP to take a practice test and view your scores. You may only take one (1) test per test session unless you want to take the PPR and BES or ESL tests together. You should complete the review session before you attempt the practice test. All practice tests are available on each test date. Bring your UTSA ID to be admitted to testing. Arrive thirty minutes prior to the start time. You will not be admitted to a Practice Test after the start of the exam.

Practice Test Dates:

Date Time Location
July 27, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MB 0.106
September 14, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MB 0.106
October 12, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MB 0.106
November 9, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MB 0.106
December 14, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MB 0.106

Latest COVID-19 Policies for UTSA Testing Services

  Remember:

  • If you want to take just a portion of the Core Subjects test because you have already passed other portions, email TExESApproval@utsa.edu four days before the test so he can arrange accommodations for you with the testing center.
  • It is in your best interest to pass your TExES exams before you begin student teaching.
  • Check the testing vendor website for test schedules and registration access at www.nesinc.com and the TExES Preparation Resources the vendor provides for all state exams.
  • Review the Content and PPR Preparation Manuals before you take the practice or real TExES exams. 

Bilingual Students

Candidates pursuing bilingual certification will complete the modules and practice Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) in CertifyTeacher. Bilingual candidates must score an 80% or higher before they can be approved to take the TExES BTLPT. Please contact TExESApproval@utsa.edu for access to CertifyTeacher.

Educator Preparation Program Assessment Coordinator

Email: TExESApproval@utsa.edu

TEA |  www.tea.texas.gov

Practice Exam Registration

  • The Practice Exams listed below are required for state exam eligibility.
  • As new Practice Exams become available from UTSA, they will be added to the required list.
  • All Practice Exams are available for each Practice test session.
  • Students may register for one Practice Exam per test session.
  • Bring your UTSA ID on the testing day for positive identification.
  • If a Practice Exam is not listed below, then it is not required for state exam eligibility.
  • EC-6 Core Subjects/Bilingual students are required to take the EC-6 Core Subjects and Bilingual Supplemental Practice tests.
  • Students can take the Bilingual Supplemental Practice test during the same session they have registered for the PPR Practice test if the following conditions exist
    • completion of the PPR Practice Test
    • at least 45-minutes remain in the Practice Test session

Students will only be able to register for one exam per Practice Test session.

Required UTSA Practice Exams

  • Bilingual Supplemental
  • English as a Second Language Supplemental
  • EC-6 Core Subjects
  • EC-12 Music
  • EC-12 PPR
  • EC-12 Physical Education
  • EC-12 Special Education
  • 4-8 Core Subjects
  • 4-8 ELAR/Social Studies
  • 4-8 Math/Science
  • 7-12 English Language Arts & Reading
  • 7-12 History
  • 7-12 Mathematics
  • 7-12 Science
  • 7-12 Social Studies
  • 8-12 Life Science
  • 8-12 Physical Science
  • Principal as Instructional Leader (PAIL)
  • School Counselor
  • Superintendent

Practice Exam Registration

Registration for the practice exam closes 24 hours before the exam. Register early. Banner ASAP shows only one practice test date at a time. The next test date will be posted after the prior exam date has expired and the scores have been posted. If you want to take only a portion of the Core Subjects EC-6 or Core Subjects 4-8 test, send an email to TExESApproval@utsa.edu no later than the Wednesday before the test.

ASAP Online Practice Exam Registration

Download Instructions

Step 1: Go to the UTSA homepage (http://www.utsa.edu/) then log on to the myUTSA ASAP

Step 2: Click on "Student Service"

Step 3: Click on "TExES Practice Exams Registration"

Step 4: Click on "Register for Test Session:

Step 5: Click on "Practice TExES"

Step 6: Click on "Select Test: to choose test from drop down window

Step 7: Click on the radio button to the far right, then click on "Submit" button

Practice Exam scores will be available on Banner ASAP two business days after the exam is given. Scores are reported in percentiles with 80% overall considered passing.

Students must earn a 70 or higher on the Practice Exams to be approved for the real exam. Core Subjects students must earn a 70 or above on each subtest to be approved for the real test. If you score 70 or higher on a practice test, you do not have to take it again. Contact Michael Vriesenga four days prior to the next practice test to coordinate taking only a portion of the Core Subjects test. Students must score 80% or higher on the Math/Science 4-8 practice exam to be approved for the real exam.

Practice Exam Scores

  • Students can access their TExES Practice Exam Scores by going to Banner ASAP.
  • Scores are usually available two business days after the exam was administered.
  • Practice Exam Scores are reported in percentages, with an overall score of 70% considered as passing. Math/Science 4-8 candidates must score 80% or higher to be approved for the real TExES exam.
  • The State Exam Scores are reported as scaled scores, with an overall score of 240/300 as passing.
  • In order to identify the Domains and Competencies of a given exam, go to the vendor website at https://www.tx.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/GENRB_PrepManuals.html and look for the appropriate TExES Preparation Manual. Use the data from your practice test and the competency statements in the preparation manual to guide your ongoing preparation for the real exam.
  • Practice exams are used to provide students with the format of the state exam and the type of questions that will be on the exam.

Accessing Practice TExES Exam Scores from ASAP

STEP 1:
Login to ASAP and click on "Student Services and Financial Aid"
STEP 2:
Click on "Student Records"
STEP 3:
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on "Display TExES Test Scores" and print your scores

TExES Eligibility Forms

You must meet the Eligibility Guidelines before UTSA will grant test approval.

TExES Eligibility Form – Initial Attempt

Students seeking approval for their Initial Testing must FIRST complete a Diagnostic Test, and THEN complete a review session or module, AND earn a passing score of 70% correct on a practice test in order to be eligible for UTSA Approval.

TExES Eligibility Form – Retake

Students with failed testing attempts MUST complete the requirements outlined in the UTSA COEHD Test Approval and Remediation Policy.

Certification candidates must submit an Eligibility Form each time they seek approval to test for a state exam.

Contact Information

Email TExESApproval@utsa.edu or call 210-458-5797 with questions about certification testing.

Resources

This is a growing resource list to help you pass the TExES tests. If you find other resources, especially if they’re free, email them to TExESApproval@utsa.edu.

General/All Tests

Diagnostic Tests

Before you take the real test, and probably before you take the practice test, you should take a diagnostic test. You will report the diagnostic test date and score on your eligibility form. Here is what’s available.

Diagnostic Test Source
PPR LearningExpress Library or T-Cert
Core Subjects EC-6 LearningExpress Library or T-Cert
Math 4-8 T-Cert
Math 7-12 T-Cert or Pearson for $10.
Science 4-8 T-Cert
Science 7-12 T-Cert or Pearson for $10
Special Education T-Cert
BTLPT T-Cert or Pearson for $10
English as a Second Language Supplemental T-Cert
LOTE Spanish Available through Pearson for $10

If the test is not listed above, you do not have to complete a diagnostic test to be approved for the real test. If you want to use a different diagnostic test, simply write the name by the score on the eligibility form.

Pearson Education Inc. (Pearson)

Because Pearson is the testing vendor with the responsibility to develop, administer and modify TExES tests, the Pearson TExES website is an excellent source for test preparation materials.

Texas or University-Based Resources

  • The Academy of Teacher Excellence – eCommunity of Practice provides Education 101 with extensive preparation resources for the TExES exams.
  • The John Peace Library at UTSA has a variety of links and resources, including practice tests in the LearningExpress Library. Log in using your UTSA email address and the password you created.
  • Tarleton State provides the T-CERT site with various practice tests. You need a TEA ID number to use this site. You can use these as diagnostic tests before you take the practice exam.
  • https://texastlaconline.org/

Web Searches

  • Searches of Google, Vimeo, Pinterest, and similar sites may yield helpful preparation resources.

PPR

Notice regarding the PPR : The Texas Education Agency is working towards replacing the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities test with a performance-based assessment called edTPA. In addition to requiring much more time and work from you, edTPA will cost over $300 while the PPR costs about $120. UTSA recommends that you take the PPR as soon as you are ready.

All Content Areas

The TExES content tests are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). If you know and understand the TEKS, then you should be well prepared for the TExES content exams. It behooves you to know the TEKS now since you will be teaching them soon.

  • Print and read the TEKS in Chapters 110 through 130 of the Commissioner’s Rules.
  • As you read, highlight words, names, ideas, dates and etc. that you don’t know or understand.
  • Write each one of these on a 3x5 card, then look it up and write the explanation on the other side. Then drill yourself until the answers come fluidly, without effort, to your mind.
  • Read the Assessed Curriculum for STAAR assessments related to your curriculum area. Note the similarity to the TExES Test at a Glance document. Read the Assessed Curriculum for your curriculum area. That will give you a much more specific idea of the items to be tested. These resources are available on the TEA website at https://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/staar/.
  • Test your knowledge of the TEKS the same way you will test whether or not your students understand the TEKS – by taking the STAAR exams. The Student Testing and Accountability section of the TEA website includes Released Tests that you can use to improve your knowledge.
    • Do NOT just read the questions and guess at the answers. You should be able to identify with certainty which answer is right, and you should be able to explain with certainty why each wrong answer is wrong.
      • This is a much higher level of study, but it is exactly what you’ll have to do with your students very soon.
  • To improve your general knowledge in the Core Subject areas, try the PBS Learning Media website.
  • The College Board provides sample test questions and a variety of resources that may help you.

Core Subjects

Below are resources that may help you prepare for the Core Subjects EC-6 certification test.

English Language Arts and Reading

Mathematics

  • UTSA’s eCommunity of Practice has an extensive math preparation resource with videos. The eCoP also has online tutoring, small group reviews, and help if you have failed the math or science exam.
  • University of Houston provides preparation for 4-8 Mathematics or other mathematics tests. This is accessible through the eCommunity of Practice above.
  • WTAMU’s Virtual Math Lab may help you review mathematical concepts for a TExES exam.
  • Delta Math provides free math preparation resources. You need only create an account.

Music

Science

  • Texas educator Michael Hayes provides a series of videos preparing candidates for the science portion of the Core Subjects tests.
  • Open-source instructional materials for economics, physics, biology, statistics, chemistry, and pre-calculus are available through the Texas Education Agency.
  • Easy Science for Kids provides kid-friendly science information between advertisements.
  • Dr. Binocs has a series of kid-friendly science cartoons.
  • National Geographic provides a substantial array of resources that you can use to prepare for the TexES or for teaching your students.
  • Physics Girl has video explanations of many science concepts.
  • Baylor College of Medicine hosts SuperSTAAR and BioEd Online, sources of science lessons.
  • Look to http://www.eschooltoday.com/ for brief explanations of science and related subjects.
  • The American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Sciencenetlinks.com provides lessons for teachers that may help you.
  • The Baylor College of Medicine’s BioEd Online and SuperSTAAR provide resources for science teachers that may help you.
  • Sciencing.com - https://sciencing.com has both answers and teacher resources.

Social Studies

Bilingual/ESL

Special Education

Principal

ETS and TEA have worked together to create instructional videos to orient faculty, staff, and candidates to the requirements of the PASL test. Video one provides a general overview of PASL, its content, and scoring/reporting procedures. Video two provides a more in-depth overview of the tasks associated with the assessment. Full requirements, descriptions, and resources may be found in the PASL Candidate and Educator Handbook.

Commercial Sources

The following list is for your information. UTSA does not endorse these companies or their products.

Requirements by Certification Area


NOTE: Once an individual has received their teaching certificate they may challenge other certification exams by registering directly with Pearson. UTSA will not approve individuals to test for additional state exams.

Helpful Website Links:

Pearson Website: http://www.tx.nesinc.com/

TEA Website: https://tea.texas.gov/

TIMELINE: Taking TExES Exams for Teacher Certification

Requirements for Professional Certification

TExES Reviews

All teacher certification students must complete a PPR Review session . You must also complete the Core Subjects online review session, when applicable. You should complete the review session before you attempt the practice test. 

Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR)

The PPR Review is available as an Open Course in Canvas. Go to the Open Courses Catalog, select "TExES Reviews," then enroll.

The Texas Education Agency is working to replace the PPR with a more difficult, more expensive test.  While implementation is uncertain, it is in your best interest to take and pass the PPR as soon as you are ready.

Core Subjects

The Core Subjects review is an Open Course in Canvas. It is useful for both EC-6 and 4-8 candidates. Go to the Open Courses Catalog, select "TExES Reviews," then enroll.

Science of Teaching Reading

If you are a Core Subjects EC-6, Core Subjects 4-8, or ELAR/Social Studies 4-8 candidate, you must take this test to be certified. The Science of Teaching Reading (STR) is located on Canvas. Go to the Open Courses Catalog, select "TExES Reviews," then enroll.

Music Review

Dr. Si Millican will present a TExES review session for music students on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM in the Choir Room.

Contact Information

TExESApproval@utsa.edu

(210) 458-5797 | Office MB 3.490

State Exam Registration

The Texas Education Agency is planning major changes to the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) and Core Subjects tests. The PPR multiple choice test may be replaced by a performance-based assessment. These changes will require extra expense and effort. You may be best served to pass these tests sooner rather than later.

State Approval to Test

All students seeking certification through UTSA are required to have approval to test each time they register for a state exam. This includes exams for teacher certification, professional certification and individuals re-taking an exam.

Practice tests and Review sessions may be completed in any order. It is the student's responsibility to plan in advance and determine the best time to attend Review sessions and Practice exams, when applicable. The Core Subjects review is applicable to both EC-6 and 4-8 candidates, and it is available as an open course in Blackboard. The Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities review is provided live quarterly.

Links to the UTSA Review and Practice exam schedules are located on the right-hand navigation.

Exam Approval

  1. Complete all UTSA eligibility requirements for the exam.
  2. If you are taking the TExES test for the first time, complete the UTSA TExES Eligibility Form-Initial Attempt. If you are asking to retake a TExES test, complete UTSA TExES Eligibility Form-Retake and email with needed signatures to TExESApproval@utsa.edu.
  3. Update Your Educator Profile: Log into your TEAL account and ensure your current identification documents match your information in the Educator Certification Online System.
  4. Allow 2 business days for exam approval to be completed.

    UTSA will not notify students when they have been approved.

  5. Go to the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website to register for the state exam: http://www.tx.nesinc.com/. Be sure to have your TEA ID# available when registering with the testing vendor.

Exam Registration

Register for computer-administered test (CAT) online with the testing vendor. If registration problems exist, call the testing vendor at (800) 877-4599 for assistance.

All test availability by location for CAT exams will be displayed when you register with the testing vendor.

  1. The vendor provides Step-by-Step guidance on the website. This information can be very helpful to you.
  2. Use your TEA ID number each time you register for an exam.
  3. UTSA students may only register for exams that correspond to their area of certification.

Taking Additional Certification Exams

UTSA will only approve you for tests related to the certification area for which you were admitted. Teachers often find that additional certifications, such as the English as a Second Language Supplemental and Special Education Supplemental can be helpful in obtaining a job. Similarly, related certifications, such as Social Studies 7-12 or ELAR/Social Studies 4-8 can also help. After you obtain your initial certification, you are able to Certification by Exam for many content areas. This is something you will do after you get your certificate.

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