TExES exam: Texas teacher certification tests, fees and scores
The TExES exam is the Texas teacher certification test series, run by Pearson for the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The exams you need depend on your certificate, for example the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam plus a content exam such as Core Subjects EC–6. Most exams cost $116, are computer-administered year-round, and need a scaled score of 240 on a 100 to 300 scale; you get five attempts per exam.
- Program
- Texas Educator Certification Examination Program (TExES), testing vendor PearsonTEA Educator Testing, checked 19 October 2026
- Delivery
- Computer-administered test (CAT), most exams year-round by appointmentPearson Texas exam pages, checked 19 October 2026
- Fees (examples)
- $116 for PPR (160), Core Subjects EC-6 (391), ESL (154), Math 4-8 (115); $136 for 186; $200 for 268Pearson Texas exam pages, checked 19 October 2026
- Appointment time
- 5 hours, including a 15-minute tutorial and agreementPearson Texas exam pages, checked 19 October 2026
- Score scale
- 100 to 300Pearson Texas, Understanding your exam results, checked 19 October 2026
- Passing score
- 240Pearson Texas, Understanding your exam results, checked 19 October 2026
- Retakes
- After 30 days; five attempts per examPearson Texas retake policy, checked 19 October 2026
- Approval to test
- Required before registration, for example from your educator preparation programPearson Texas registration information, checked 19 October 2026
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Why you can trust these TExES questions
What is the TExES exam?
TExES stands for Texas Examinations of Educator Standards. The TExES certification tests are part of the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program, and Pearson is the testing vendor; the exams you must pass for a certificate are set in the Texas Administrative Code, §230.21(e). Registration, scores and preparation materials all run through the Pearson Texas testing site, so a "Pearson TExES exam" and a TExES exam are the same thing.
The TExES teacher test you need depends on your certificate, and there is no single TExES teacher certification test for everyone. TExES certification requirements are set per certificate. The exam list includes a TExES content exam for each subject and grade band, the PPR, and supplemental exams such as ESL or bilingual education.
Source: Texas Education Agency — Educator Testing. Checked 19 October 2026.
TExES certification exams most candidates search for
These are the TExES certification exams with the most searches, with the format and fee Pearson lists for each:
- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12 (160): 100 selected-response questions, $116
- Core Subjects EC–6 (391): five subject exams, $116, or $58 per subject exam taken separately
- Mathematics 4–8 (115): 100 selected-response questions, on-screen scientific calculator, $116
- English as a Second Language Supplemental (154): 80 selected-response questions, $116
- Bilingual Education Supplemental (164): 80 selected-response questions, $116
- Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186): 90 selected-response and 1 constructed-response question, $136
- Principal as Instructional Leader (268): 70 selected-response and 4 constructed-response questions, $200
Source: Pearson Texas Educator Certification — Exams. Checked 19 October 2026.
The TExES PPR exam (160)
The TExES PPR exam, Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12 (160), is the pedagogy exam on the list, separate from any TExES content test. It is a computer-administered test with 100 selected-response questions, 4 hours 45 minutes of testing time in a 5-hour appointment, and a fee of $116.
Testing is by appointment year-round, first come, first served. The passing score is 240.
Source: Pearson Texas — Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12 (160). Checked 19 October 2026.
The TExES EC-6 exam: Core Subjects EC–6 (391)
The TExES EC-6 exam for elementary teachers is Core Subjects EC–6 (391). It consists of five subject exams: English Language Arts and Reading (45 questions), Mathematics (40), Social Studies (40), Science (45), and Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education (40).
You need 240 on each individual subject exam to pass the overall exam. The full exam costs $116, or $58 per subject exam taken separately, and candidates must also take the Science of Teaching Reading (293) exam. TEA notes a 45-day wait to retest for Core Subjects, so check the retake rule that applies to you.
Source: Pearson Texas — Core Subjects EC–6 (391). Checked 19 October 2026.
The TExES Math 4-8 test (115)
The TExES Math 4-8 test is Mathematics 4–8 (115): 100 selected-response questions in a 5-hour appointment, with an on-screen scientific calculator provided. The fee is $116 and the passing score is 240.
Because the Math 4-8 TExES exam gives you the calculator on screen, practise with an on-screen scientific calculator rather than your own device; Pearson publishes a calculator tutorial for this exam.
Source: Pearson Texas — Mathematics 4–8 (115). Checked 19 October 2026.
The TExES ESL exam and TExES bilingual certification
The TExES ESL exam is English as a Second Language Supplemental (154): 80 selected-response questions, 4 hours 45 minutes of testing time, $116, passing score 240. It is a supplemental exam added to a base certificate.
For TExES bilingual certification, Pearson lists Bilingual Education Supplemental (164), also 80 selected-response questions for $116, and the new Bilingual Education Spanish Supplemental (165), with its first exam administration on 1 September 2026.
Source: Pearson Texas — English as a Second Language Supplemental (154). Checked 19 October 2026.
TExES principal certification exam (268) and the TExES 186 exam
The TExES principal exam is Principal as Instructional Leader (268): 70 selected-response and 4 constructed-response questions, $200, passing score 240. Unlike most TExES exams, the TExES 268 exam is offered in limited administrations during two-week testing periods, so plan your date early.
For the TExES special education exam, Pearson lists Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186): 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question, $136, passing score 240. If you are looking for Special Education EC–12 (161): that code did not appear on Pearson’s current exam list when we checked, so confirm with your program whether the TExES 186 exam or another code applies to you.
Source: Pearson Texas — Principal as Instructional Leader (268). Checked 19 October 2026.
Approval to test and registration
You must be approved before you can register for a TExES exam (PACT exams are the exception). If you are in an educator preparation program, the approval comes from your program. First-time candidates also create a TEA Login (TEAL) account and receive a TEA ID.
After approval you register in your testing account on the Pearson Texas site and then schedule your appointment. Exam dates, score report dates and registration details are covered on the TExES exam page.
Source: Pearson Texas — Registration information (approval to test). Checked 19 October 2026.
TExES scores, passing score and retakes
TExES scores are reported on a scale of 100 to 300, and 240 is the minimum passing score. Domains and competencies on your score report are for information only; they have no passing scores of their own.
An exam can be retaken after 30 days, and you are limited to five attempts per certification exam. After five unsuccessful attempts you can test again only if TEA approves a test-limit waiver.
Source: Pearson Texas — Understanding your exam results. Checked 19 October 2026.
The TExES preparation manual and study guide
The official TExES study guide for each exam is its TExES preparation manual from Pearson. Each manual gives a breakdown of the exam, the domains and competencies tested, strategies for selected-response questions, and sample questions with correct answers and rationales. Manuals are posted online and as printable PDFs on the exam’s preparation page.
For the TExES ESL 154 study guide, use the ESL Supplemental (154) manual with its sample selected-response questions. A TExES exam study guide from anywhere else should follow the same domains and competencies as the official manual.
Source: Pearson Texas — Preparation manuals. Checked 19 October 2026.
Official TExES practice exams and a free TExES practice test
For some exams Pearson sells an interactive practice exam: for the PPR (160) and the principal exam (268) it costs $10 with 120-day access and a review of your results. Those are the official TExES PPR practice test and TExES 268 practice test.
For the free TExES practice test option, use the sample selected-response questions in each preparation manual, which are posted online with no price shown. The preparation pages for Core Subjects EC–6 (391), Math 4–8 (115) and ESL (154) listed manuals and sample questions but no interactive practice exam when we checked.
Source: Pearson Texas — Preparation materials, PPR EC–12 (160). Checked 19 October 2026.
TExES practice questions
Certsqill’s TExES practice questions are expert-developed and organized by exam and domain, covering exams such as the PPR, Core Subjects EC–6, Math 4–8 and ESL Supplemental.
Every question comes with an explanation for each answer option, and your results build a readiness score per domain, so your TExES test prep focuses on the domains that still hold you back. A 7-day money-back guarantee applies.
TExES questions people ask
How much does a TExES exam cost?
Most TExES exams cost $116; Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) costs $136 and Principal as Instructional Leader (268) costs $200. Additional fees may apply. Source: Pearson Texas, checked 19 October 2026.
What score do I need to pass a TExES exam?
240 on a scale of 100 to 300. For Core Subjects EC–6, you need 240 on each subject exam. Source: Pearson Texas, checked 19 October 2026.
Is there a TExES PPR practice test?
Yes. Pearson sells an interactive practice exam for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12 (160) exam for $10 with 120-day access; the TExES pedagogy and professional responsibilities practice test is a useful final check. Source: Pearson Texas, checked 19 October 2026.
Where can I find a TExES Core Subjects EC-6 practice test?
The preparation manual for 391 has sample questions for each subject exam. A TExES Core Subjects EC-6 391 practice test should cover all five subject exams, and a TExES EC-6 practice test should be timed like the real 5-hour appointment. Source: Pearson Texas, checked 19 October 2026.
Is there a TExES ESL 154 practice test?
Pearson’s 154 preparation page lists the manual with sample selected-response questions but no interactive practice exam. Any TExES ESL supplemental 154 practice test you use should follow the manual’s framework; a TExES 154 practice test from the manual is the official starting point. Checked 19 October 2026.
What should a TExES ESL practice test cover?
The domains and competencies in the official 154 manual. For TExES ESL test prep, combine the manual’s sample questions with timed practice on 80 selected-response questions.
Is there a TExES Math 4-8 practice test?
The 115 preparation page lists the manual with sample questions and an on-screen calculator tutorial; no interactive practice exam was listed. A TExES Math 4-8 practice test should use an on-screen scientific calculator. Checked 19 October 2026.
How many times can I take a TExES exam?
Five attempts per certification exam; retakes after 30 days. More attempts need a TEA test-limit waiver. Source: Pearson Texas and TEA, checked 19 October 2026.
What is a TExES exam practice test good for?
Checking pacing and weak domains. Use the official sample questions or practice exam first, then more TExES practice exams by domain before you book.
