Certification Testing Information

Candidate taking exam

Certification exams are required for each certification area. Double check your certification plan to see which tests are required for your certification.

The TExES preparation manuals can be found at the Texas Examination of Educator Standards website (Click on “Preparation Manuals/Study Guides”). We advise you to review the Preparation Manual before signing up for the exam.  Other resources are also available to help you prepare for your certification exam.

PRACTICE EXAMS! Practice tests for your content are available through the Academic Testing Center (806-742-3671) for a nominal fee. Tests available through the ATC are: EC-6 Generalist; 4-8 (Math, Science, Math & Science, English, Social Studies, Social Studies & English); 8-12 (Chemistry, English, History, Life Science, Math, Science, Physical Education, Physical Science, Social Studies). Music & Art are available through the College of Visual and Performing Arts; ESL, Bilingual, Special Education , and Pedagogy/Professional Responsibilities are availabe through the College of Education.

We recommend that you take your certification exams the semester before you student teach (and require taking the content area exam prior to student teaching).  In order to register for the TExES / ExCET / TOPT exams, you must register with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) using your TEA identity number.  THE ATTACHED STEP BY STEP TEST REGISTRATION DIRECTIONS will assist you in the test registration process.

The TExES Bulletin Supplement, which answers most questions you might have, is available through your advisor upon request.

Certification Testing Preparation

A state-sponsored online TExES Certification Review for Teachers (T-CERT) is designed to help teacher candidates pass specific content exams in math and science and the PPR EC-12 exam. Other review will be forthcoming.  The site is open to anyone that has a TEA number. After registering on the site, the T-CERT staff will verify registration and will email soon regarding clearance to enter the site. Once a candidate gets on the site’s home page, you are encouraged to listen to the audio overview. This can be found on the left of the screen under Quick Links. Click on “Overview” and listen to Wendy tell you all about the site. As a quick overview here is what the site has to offer:

  • Presentation: This is a review for each subject area with practice test questions for each competency.
  • Video: This is a video review session presented by a subject matter expert.
  • Practice Questions: A practice quiz over the content covered in the presentation is available.
  • Chat: Synchronous chat sessions will be held approximately two weeks prior to the paper based administration of the exam.
  • Documents & Handouts: These are supporting documents needed for the review video and chat session
  • Certificate: Certificates are available for you to print once you have completed all sections (Presentation, Video, Quiz and Chat) of the review module.

NEW: TExES has also prepared a video about preparing to take a Texas Educator Certification test. The video includes tips for preparing and studying, along with tips for reducing test anxiety. Watch Preparing for the Texas Educator Certification Tests online.

The TExES preparation manuals can be found at the Texas Examination of Educator Standards website (Click on Prep manuals).The Educational Testing Service (ETS) also has Practice Questions eBooks available for $19.95 at ETS TExES Store.

Kahn Academy is a wonderful resource for math, science, economics, and history (some).  His website is http://www.khanacademy.org/. 

TEA has developed online version of the released TAKS, exit-level TAAS tests, and end-of-course examinations, which might be useful in reviewing for the TExES since the same objectives are being measures.  They are available at: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/index.html

Reading Comprehension Strategies for general testing skills:  Dartmouth Active Reading

General testing strategies/skills:  Improving your Concentration

Listed below are some additional review materials that may be helpful. Please note that TTU does not endorse the programs or publications listed. Our office makes no guarantees or implications about the quality of either the help you will get or the effects on your scores.

Test Preparation Companies/Websites:

Tutoring in the math content area is available from the Department of Mathematics' Missouri Club, located on the first floor of the Mathematics building. Additional tutors have been hired and expertise provided for tutoring for the TExES 135, 115 and 114 exams. For more information, contact the math department, 806-742-2566! or www.math.ttu.edu.

Additional resources are listed for each area below

as well as in the back of the TExES Preparation Manual:

Law & Ethics for Educators

Parental Rights & Access to Records

LOTE

"Foreign Language Teaching Methods" (Texas Language Technology Center):

Mometrix Flash Card Study System for LOTE