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Texas Exam Requirements

Below are the exams required by your certification area. Please note: Exams are not optional. If an exam is part of your certification program, you must take the exam to complete testing requirements for certification.

w/ Special Education EC-12

  1. Core Subjects EC-6 (391) ... $116
  2. Science of Teaching Reading (293) ... $136
  3. Special Education EC-12 (161) ... $116
  4. PPR EC-12 (160) ... $116

w/ ESL Supplemental

  1. Core Subjects EC-6 (391) ... $116
  2. Science of Teaching Reading (293) ... $136
  3. ESL Supplemental (154) ... $116
  4. PPR EC-12 (160) ... $116

PRACTICE EXAM REQUIREMENT EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2023
All candidates must score a 70 or better on their practice exams in order to receive approval to take their actual exams. Most practice exams are available in the TExES Canvas Course. Email COE-TSO@unt.edu for more information. 

Testing Sequence and Deadlines

You must take your actual EC-6 content and supplemental exam (ESL, Bilingual, or SPED EC-12) prior to starting Block C/Clinical Teaching. Students planning to complete the Residency program should aim to have both content and supplemental exams complete before starting Residency, but at minimum should have completed exams required in Block A. Students starting Clinical Teaching in a Fall semester must take their real Core EC-6 and Supplemental exams (ESL, Bilingual, or SPED) no later than July 15th (prior to the start of the Fall semester). Students starting Clinical Teaching in a Spring semester must take their real Core EC-6 and Supplemental exams (ESL, Bilingual, or SPED) no later than December 15th (prior to the start of the Spring semester). In order to stay on target to complete all of your certification exams before the end of Clinical Teaching, it is recommended that you follow the sequence below for your specific area:

w/ Bilingual Supplemental

  1. Core Subjects EC-6 (391) ... $116
  2. Science of Teaching Reading (293) ... $136
  3. Bilingual Supplemental (164) ... $116
  4. BTLPT (190) ... $116
  5. PPR EC-12 (160) ... $116

EC-6 with ESL

Block

Practice Exam Requirement
(Minimum of 70 or better)

Real Exam Requirement

A

ESL Supplemental

ESL Supplemental

B

Core Subjects EC-6
&
Science of Teaching Reading

 Core Subjects EC-6
&
Science of Teaching Reading

C

PPR EC-12

PPR EC-12

 

EC-6 with Bilingual 

Block

Practice Exam Requirement
(Minimum of 70 or better)

Real Exam Requirement

A

Bilingual Supplemental
&
BTLPT

 Bilingual Supplemental
&
BTLPT

B

Core Subjects EC-6
&
Science of Teaching Reading

 Core Subjects EC-6
&
​​​​​​​Science of Teaching Reading

C

PPR EC-12

PPR EC-12

EC-6 with Special Education EC-12

Block

Practice Exam Requirement
(Minimum of 70 or better)

Real Exam Requirement

A

Core Subjects EC-6

Core Subjects EC-6

B

SPED EC-12 &
Science of Teaching Reading

 SPED EC-12 &
Science of Teaching Reading

C

PPR EC-12

PPR EC-12

Texas Certification Requirements

  • Complete all coursework (including Clinical Teaching)
  • Grades officially posted to transcript
  • Bachelor’s Degree officially posted to transcript
  • Pass all required certification exams
    • Core Subjects EC-6
    • Science of Teaching Reading
    • PPR EC-12 Supplemental/Additional Exam
      • Special Education EC-12
      • ESL Supplemental
      • Bilingual Supplemental & BTLPT
  • Apply for certification through TEA at the end of your final semester and complete finger-printing
  • Pay all applicable fees

TExES Exam Registration

You will use your TEA ID number found in your TEAL Educator Account to create a testing account with the Pearson testing company. You will register for all of your actual certification exams through your Pearson Testing Account at http://tx.nesinc.com. You can schedule your exams at any test center that has availability and offers the exam. If you need accommodations, please submit your accommodation request form to Pearson at least two months prior to your desired test date. More information about requesting accommodations can be found at https://www.tx.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/GENRB_AlternativeArrangements.html.

Study Tips

  1. Download the preparation manual for your exam at http://www.tx.nesinc.com under the “Prepare” menu and familiarize yourself with the content covered in each domain and competency on your exam.
  2. Ask yourself, “How well do I know the content?” Using a Likert Scale of 0—5, where 0 is not at all and 5 is Very Well, rate your confidence for each domain and competency.
  3. Determine what resources and materials you already have on hand to help you study for this content. Then, determine what you might need to help you study (Flashcards? Practice Exams? A study group?) . Begin acquiring the materials you need!
  4. Establish study deadlines for yourself and focus your studying on the areas you feel least confident with.
  5. Take a practice exam prior to your actual test! This will help you get an idea of what the test will look like and will also give you an idea of what areas you still need to focus on. While passing a practice exam is not a guarantee that you will successfully pass the actual exam, it is a good measure of your knowledge, and can be used to help guide your studying even further!
  6. Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before you take your exam and skip the morning coffee. Try eating a banana or dark chocolate instead to fuel your mind and body.
  7. Relax and be confident!! Don’t second guess yourself!

TExES Flight Plan Checklist

☐ Admission to Teacher Education Program

☐ Take Practice TExES Exams

☐ Pass Real TExES Exams

☐ Complete content coursework

☐ Clinical Teaching

☐ Graduation

☐ Apply for Certification/Pay Fees/Fingerprinting

☐ Recommended for Certification by UNT

☐ Issued Teaching Certificate by TEA

Study Materials and Resources

  • Test Prep Resources - Preparation manuals, tutorials and other materials to help you prepare for your exams. (http://www.tx.nesinc.com)
  • Interactive Practice Exam - Full-length practice exam available for PPR EC-12 and Science of Teaching Reading. (https://www.tx.nesinc.com)
  • Certify Teacher - Offers access to interactive practice exams to UNT students for a discounted price. Students must 1.) sign up using their UNT email address 2.) agree to be added to the control panel and 3.) use the promo code UNT4728 to receive the discount. (https://www.certifyteacher.com)
  • 240 Tutoring - Provides in-depth review, flashcards, and interactive practice questions. Email COE- TSO@unt.edu for the subscription link to receive the discounted rate. 
  • Passage Preparation - Provides courses that help candidates prepare for their certification exams. (https://passagepreparation.com/teacher-certification-test/texes/)
  • Search Quizlet.com for the name of your exam to find free flashcards and other materials others have used to help prepare for the TExES exams.
  • You may also want to check out study books from the TExES Success Office or purchase your own from one of the following reputable companies:
  • T-CERT – Online modules that contain documents and handouts, videos, practice questions, and more. (https://pact.tarleton.edu/TCERT/index.cfm)
  • Visit the TExES Success Office website for a complete list of suggested resources: (https://coe.unt.edu/educator-preparation-office/texes)