Math Section in TExES

Understanding the Math Section

The TExES testing program is designed for those candidates who are enthusiastic about taking up the profession of teaching in the public schools of Texas. This test has been jointly formulated by State Board for Educator Certification and Texas Education Agency along with its contractor, which is referred to as ETS.

The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards or TExES is held in a wide variety of subjects and the candidates are encouraged to communicate with the course counselors or advisors in order to understand the importance of this test and the subjects in which they want to take it. The motto of this test is to measure the potential of the candidates and the knowledge that they should possess.

Math is a subject that is taken by those candidates who are willing to teach this subject at school level and it is divided into two categories:

  • Mathematics 4-8: This test intends to evaluate the skills of candidates for obtaining entry-level certification in this subject for teaching in the public schools of Texas. The candidates receiving this certification will have the opportunity to teach the students of grade four through eight.
  • Mathematics 8-12: Similarly, the candidates may also consider taking the test for obtaining the certificate that will allow them to teach the students of grade eight through 12.

The test can be taken in two different formats that are listed below:

  • Computer-Based Tests or CBT
  • Paper-Based Tests or PBT

In order to achieve satisfying scores in mathematics, the test takers must know about the format of this test so that there is no feeling of nervousness on the day of the exam.

The following points sum up the characteristics or features of TExES test of mathematics for teaching in grades 4-8 and 8-12:

  • For TExES Math Exam 4-8, there are 90 questions of multiple-choice types.
  • The test takers have to attempt 80 questions in this test for getting the scores. The remaining ten questions are not scored; therefore, these unscored questions have no role to play in the overall performance of the candidates in the test.
  • The scale of score for mathematics is in the range of 100-300 and the test taker must achieve a score of 240, which is also referred to as the passing score.
  • The domains of this test are Number Concepts, Probability and Statistics. Mathematical processes and perspectives, Patterns and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement and Mathematical Learning, Instruction and Assessment.
  • Among the domains of mathematics, the multiple-choice questions for scoring are different for all the topics. For instance, there are 17 questions in Pattern and Algebra for which scores are allotted to the test takers; whereas, there are 13 questions in the area of Number Concepts.
  • This exam is taken in half sessions divided between morning and afternoon and the test continues for five hours.

The next set of points include the features of Mathematics 8-12:

  • This test is taken by those candidates who are seeking a certificate for teaching students of grade eight through twelve in the public schools of Texas.
  • This test is administered for a full-day session and the subjects and duration of the test is similar to that of 4-8 certification.
  • The scoring system for this test is similar to that of ‘4-8 ‘and the minimum passing score is 240.

The competency and domain scores are used to locate the strengths and weaknesses of the students regarding the subject that they have chosen for the test. The scaled scores determine the overall performance of an individual in the exam.

Along with the familiarity of the students with the Math section of TExES, it is important to focus on the preparation with the help of study guides that are prescribed for taking this test.