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 - for Spring 2025 Block B and Block C Students

  1. Core Subjects EC-6 (391) ... $116
  2. Science of Teaching Reading (293) ... $136
  3. Special Education EC-12 (161) ... $116 - Last administration August 31, 2025
  4. PPR EC-12 (160) ... $116

w/ Special Education EC-12 - for Spring 2025 or Later Block A Students

  1. Core Subjects EC-6 (391) ... $116
  2. Science of Teaching Reading (293) ... $136
  3. Special Education Specialist EC-12 (186) ... TBD - First administration September 2025
  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

w/ Bilingual Supplemental

  1. Core Subjects EC-6 (391) ... $116
  2. Science of Teaching Reading (293) ... $136
  3. Bilingual Supplemental (164) ... $116
  4. BTLPT Spanish (190) ... $116
  5. PPR EC-12 (160) ... $116
Undergraduate EC-6 with ESL Exam Sequence
You must take all exams required in Block A and Block B in order to move forward to Block C.

SEMESTER

PRACTICE EXAM

REAL EXAM

A

ESL Supplemental (154)

ESL Supplemental (154)

B

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

C

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

Undergraduate EC-6 with Bilingual Exam Sequence
You must take all exams required in Block A and Block B to move forward to Block C.

SEMESTER

PRACTICE EXAM

REAL EXAM

A

Bilingual Supplemental (164) & BTLPT Spanish (190)

Bilingual Supplemental (164) & BTLPT Spanish (190)

B

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

C

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

Undergraduate EC-6 with Special Education Exam Sequence
You must complete all required exams in Block A and Block B to move forward to Block C.

For Spring 2025 Block B and Block C Students:

SEMESTER

PRACTICE EXAM

REAL EXAM

A

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

B

Special Education EC-12 (161)

Special Education EC-12 (161)

C

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)



For Spring 2025 or Later Block A Students:

Course

PRACTICE EXAM

REAL EXAM

A

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

Core Subjects EC-6 (391)

B

Special Education Specialist EC-12 (186)

Special Education Specialist EC-12 (186)

C

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

Science of Teaching Reading (293) & PPR EC-12 (160)

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 Exam
      • Special Education
      • 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!

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)
  • 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-tests/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)