A general overview of the
TExES Examinations
for Teacher Certification
Tarleton State University
Your Introduction to
Certification Testing
This presentation will cover the very basic
information related to requirements and
procedures surrounding certification testing.
The purpose of the presentation is to introduce
teacher education candidates to what will be
expected in terms of testing, and to be given
the opportunity to begin planning ways to
cover the cost of examinations.
Who must take the TExES Examinations?
All candidates seeking
initial teacher certification are required
by state law to take and pass TExES
(Texas Examination of Educator Standards)
examinations prior to being recommended
for certification.
How many exams will I be required to take?
Every candidate must take the EC-12 PPR,
the content exam(s) related to your certificate
area(s) and any supplemental exams for
Interdisciplinary Studies majors (ESL or Bilingual).
Each candidate will take a minimum of two with
the possibility of up to four maximum exams.
For a list of required exams by certificate area:
http://www.tarleton.edu/eps/testing/index.html
Testing Requirements
TExES Testing Requirements Prior to
Clinical Teaching Policy for Traditional
Undergraduate Teacher Education Candidates
Beginning Fall 2017, all initial teacher education candidates are
required to pass their PPR and Content Area(s) exams with
passing scores posting on or before the date of the scheduled
Clinical Teaching Orientation. Results must be posted no later
than the day of Orientation; candidates should remember that
score report availability can range from 3-7 days from the exam
date and to plan accordingly. In addition, all Interdisciplinary
Studies candidates must have, at the minimum, attempted their
supplemental exam(s) by the date of Orientation.
How are exams administered?
All exams are administered by computer at
various independently run testing facilities.
Candidates with a documented disability
or health-related need must make
arrangements with ETS (testing company)
BEFORE registering for any exam. It is not
too early to start getting paperwork in place.
http://cms.texes-ets.org/files/9114/6780/1498/registration_bulletin_supplement_ADA.pdf.
Once approved, accommodations are good for a two year period.
What is the cost of each exam?
The registration fee for each exam is
$131.00 plus a Texas use fee of $3.20,
and payment must be made by either
credit or debit card at time of registration.
This makes the total cost of each exam
$134.20, and the same fees also apply to
any necessary exam retakes.
When will I be eligible to test?
Candidates who have formally been admitted to the
Teacher Education Program are eligible to begin testing
at the end of the PD II semester once test preparation
programs have been completed.
Both the PPR and all content exams must be passed
prior to the start of Clinical Teaching.
Candidates will receive a more detailed and thorough
explanation of testing policies and procures at the
mandatory Application to Clinical Teaching Seminar
toward the beginning of PD II.
Where do I take the exams?
There are many test sites across the state
(there is one located on the Tarleton
Stephenville campus) and candidates may
choose to take exams at any location
available for the exam date selected.
Test facilities closer in proximity to the
different outreach centers include:
Arlington
Bedford
Denton
Fort Worth
Killeen
Waco
Is there financial help available to
cover the expense of the exams?
There are multiple scholarships available for
candidates seeking teacher certification that could
be used to help offset the expense of exams. Be
sure to specifically apply for the Dennis P. McCabe
Student Endowed Scholarship for each semester
you are enrolled in the Teacher Education Program.
To contact the Scholarship Office for more
information concerning available awards and
application deadlines, go to:
http://www.tarleton.edu/scholarships/index.html
or call 254-968-9922.
Are there materials to help me
prepare for the exam?
In addition to the education courses that are helping
prepare you for the PPR exam and the concentration
courses that prepare you for the content exam(s), you
can find additional materials at no cost on the ETS
website - http://cms.texes-ets.org/texes/prepmaterials/.
Test at a Glance and Preparation Manuals on that
page contain a lot of very useful information.
You will also be required to complete test preparation
programs for each exam through Certify Teacher prior
to being given testing approval.
Should I know anything else?
While enrolled in PD I, you will receive directions
to set up a TEAL (TEA Login) account with the
Texas Education Agency (TEA).
You will be assigned a TEA ID# at that time.
Record your number, user name and pasword in
a safe place where you can access it, such as
your cell phone. You will be required to provide
this number several times over the next three
semesters and into your teaching career.
Do you want more testing
information?
Web site: www.tarleton.edu/eps/testing
Brenda Strong [email protected]
Coordinator for Certification Testing
Tarleton State University – Stephenville
Suite 101 – Mathematics Building
254-968-1908
A Final Note
Tarleton State University prepares our teacher
education candidates very well for exams, and
currently holds an overall 97% pass rate for all
certification areas offered. If you dedicate yourself
to your classes and take learning seriously, you
should have little trouble passing your exams.
Educator Preparation Services wishes you
the best as you test!
This concludes the presentation.