TExES Information

Contact Information

Dr. Michael Vriesenga - Director for Assessment and Program Accountability

Contact Dr. Michael Vriesenga at michael.vriesenga@utsa.edu or 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 michael.vriesenga@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.

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.

• Policies – Read and understand the Policies for the test you plan to take.
• Prepare – Pearson provides a variety of general exam information and specific content review resources. Use these to prepare for the test.
• Preparation Manuals – These provide information on test structure and the questions you will answer.
• Interactive Practice Tests – These are full-length tests with answers. Take these tests, and then review the results carefully to understand how to best prepare for the real test. These tests cost $10.
• General Guidance – This includes developing a study plan, reducing test anxiety, strategies and tips, and tutorials on the tools, such as online calculators, that you will encounter in TExES tests. Pearson provides guides for Registering for a TExES exam and Registering for an edTPA exam.

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.

• One-page ELPS Guide
• Student Friendly ELPS Guide
• The PPR test includes several questions on the English Language Proficiency Standards. UTSA has created a one-page ELPS Guide as well as a Student-Friendly ELPS Guide to help you better understand the ELPS.
• Vanderbilt University’s Iris Center has an extensive library of resources regarding everything from Accommodations to RTI.
• Book: Kaplan TExES, Hall, McCall, Burkhardt.
• Cognitive and Developmental Psychology: https://www.simplypsychology.org/
• Assessment:
  • Criterion-referenced
  • Norm-referenced
  • Performance-based
  • Standards-based
  • Baseline
• Ethics: https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/sbec-rules-tac/texas-administrative-code-title-19-part-7

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.

• Play a jeopardy-like game to test your Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in a variety of areas: https://jeopardylabs.com/browse/?q=teks&sort_by=_score&submit=Search.
• Quizlet provides flashcards and other resources. https://quizlet.com/subject/texes/
• The Texas Education Agency provides the Texas Gateway. This has a wide variety of resources that you can use to prepare for the test or use in your own classroom.
• The Crash Course provides brief courses on many subjects with supportive cartoons.
• cK-12 provides a variety of lessons on math, science, English, and more.
• The Khan Academy provides free lessons on many subjects at various grade levels.

Core Subjects

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

• Reading Rockets provides a variety of resources, including a series of YouTube videos.
• Ducksters provides kid-oriented science, math, history, and geography instruction, but it might help you.
• Flashcard set for Core EC-6 content: https://quizlet.com/kimberly_w_parsons
• ReadWriteThink: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/...

English Language Arts and Reading

• Speech-Language Resources for Education Professionals provides a wealth of information on language and reading development and instruction.
• K12Reader is littered with advertisements, but it contains useful information on teaching reading.
• The Annenberg Foundation includes resources helpful for many content areas and grade levels, including this Teaching Reading K-2 explanation of the Essential Components of Literacy Development.

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

• The UTSA Department of Music provides this Music EC-12 TExES Resources

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

• EC-6 Social Studies Review: 
  • https://softchalkcloud.com/lesson/serve/jiZlO6UGaN2oIk/html
•  Economics
  • Council for Economic Education: https://www.councilforeconed.org/
  • U.S. Mint: https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids
  • Federal Reserve: https://www.federalreserveeducation.org/
  • National Content Standards in Economics: https://www.councilforeconed.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/voluntary-national-content-standards-2010.pdf
  • https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours?utm_source=facebook.com
  • https://www.learner.org/subject/social-studies-history/
• Geography
  • Seterra Map Quiz Games: https://www.seterra.com/
  • National Geographic Classroom Resources: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/?xpop=1
  • National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/history/index.htm
  • NPS Heritage Travel: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/heritagetravel/discover-our-shared-heritage.htm
• Government
  • Constitution: https://www.archives.gov/legislative/resources/education/constitution
  • National Standards in Civics and Government: http://www.civiced.org/standards
  • Center for Civic Education: http://www.civiced.org/index.php
  • CSPAN Classroom: https://www.c-span.org/classroom/
  • Oyez Project - Supreme Court: https://www.oyez.org/
  • Opper Project - Teaching through Political Cartoons: https://hti.osu.edu/opper
• Texas History
  • Texas History Timeline: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline
  • Texas History Educational Resources: https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/educational-resources
  • Humanities Texas has an extensive archive of primary sources and a series on Texas Originals https://www.humanitiestexas.org/
• U.S. History
  • PBS Learning https://klrn.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/amex/
  • The History Channel has a series of useful resources: https://www.history.com/topics
  • Brief Biographies: http://spartacus-educational.com/
  • Legends of America is primarily a travel site, but it has useful historical resources: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/
  • Although it is prominently financed with ads, https://www.u-s-history.com/provides a useful chronology, maps, quizzes and clickable links that can boost your understanding of US history.
  • Library of Congress – Teachers: https://www.loc.gov/programs/teachers/about-this-program/
  • Digital History: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/
  • Documenting the American South: https://docsouth.unc.edu/
  • Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/
  • Historical Thinking Matters: http://historicalthinkingmatters.org/
  • National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/education
  • Teaching History: https://teachinghistory.org/
  • Best of History Websites: http://besthistorysites.net/
  • Our Documents: https://www.ourdocuments.gov/content.php?flash=true&page=milestone
  • The American West: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/
• World History (for 7-12 candidates)
  • Asia for Educators: http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/
  • History World: http://www.historyworld.net/
  • Japan Society: http://aboutjapan.japansociety.org/
  • Teaching About Religion: http://www.worldvieweducation.org/
  • Visualizing Cultures: https://visualizingcultures.mit.edu/home/vis_menu_03.html
  • Wide Angle Window into Global History: https://www.thirteen.org/edonline/wideangle/
  • World Digital Libraries: https://www.wdl.org/en/
  • World History Matters: http://chnm.gmu.edu/worldhistorysources/

Bilingual/ESL

• Students will be given a subscription to CertifyTeacher, and they must score 80% or higher on the practice BTLPT before they can be approved to take the TExES BTLPT exam.
• TEA provides BTLPT and Bilingual Supplemental test preparation and other Bilingual resources at https://www.txel.org/bilingualcertification
• TEA provides review materials and practice tests for the ESL Supplemental at https://www.txel.org/eslcertification
• Texas Education Agency Learn; free Bilingual Education Resources: https://register.tealearn.com/
• Enable Learning BTLPT Preparation: https://www.enablinglearning.com/web-1172020/
• Bilingual Education Supplemental Preparation Manual: https://www.tx.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/TX164_PrepMaterials.html
• Book: TExES Bilingual Education Supplemental (164): Secrets study guide, also https://www.mometrix.com/academy/texes/bilingual-target-language-proficiency-test/, Mometrix Media.
• Texas Education Agency ESL Certification Course
• Supreme Court Cases on Bilingual Education
• One-page ELPS Guide
• Student-Friendly ELPS Guide

Special Education

• Texas SPED Support: https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/
• Texas Education Agency Learn; free Special Education Resources: https://register.tealearn.com/
• Section 504: https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973-what-you-need-to-know
• Procedural Safeguards: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/modelform-safeguards.pdf
• Protecting Students with Disabilities: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
• Learning Disabilities: https://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/
• Sensory Processing Disorder: https://www.spdstar.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder
• Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP): https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/early-intervention/ifsp-what-it-is-and-how-it-works
• Preschool for Children with Disabilities: https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/education-schools/
• Epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/first-aid-seizures-stay-safe-side
• Case Law: Hobson v Hansen, Board of Ed v. Rowley, Honig v. Doe, Mills v. Board of Ed,

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.

• PASL Video One
• PASL Video Two

Commercial Sources

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

• Certify Teacher, www.certifyteacher.com
• Pass the TExES, www.passthetexes.com
• TExES Flashcard Study System, www.flashcardsecrets.com/texes
• 240 Tutoring, www.240tutoring.com
• XAM Online, www.xamonline.com/teacher_certification_study_guides/Texas
• Research & Education Associates, http://store.rea.com/tstprep-teachcert-tx.html
• Mometrix Test Preparation. In addition to TExES resources, there are aids for preparing for the GED and other subject-specific tests that may help you. https://www.mometrix.com/
• Exam Edge: https://www.examedge.com/texes/
• Teaching Solutions, https://www.teachingsolutions.org/texes
• Core Subjects Social Studies Lectures, https://www.udemy.com/course/core-subjects-test-review-for-social-studies/

Requirements by Certification Area

• Content Areas EC-6
• Content Areas 4-8
• Content 7-12
• Content EC-12

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

• Reading Specialist
• School Counselor

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

Dr. Michael Vriesenga -  michael.vriesenga@utsa.edu

(210) 458-5797 | Office MB 3.490

Director for Assessment and Program Accountability

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 michael.vriesenga@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.