Preparing for the TExES

It is your responsibility to begin familiarizing and preparing for both your qualifying and certification exams. You should take the initiative to learn what is expected of you, form study groups and develop a study plan that will ensure your success on both the qualifying and the certification exams.  Ways to supplement your individual study include the following:

TExES Preparation Manuals: The State of Texas has created preparation manuals for all content and pedagogy exams. These preparation manuals contain all the domains and competencies that the exams cover. In addition, these manuals contain sample questions which will give you an idea of how the questions and answers on the TExES exam are structured.

College of Education Review Sessions: The College of Education provides its students review sessions to aid in the preparation for their qualifying and certification exams. Review sessions are free to all current UTEP students and participants in the UTEP ATCP program. These review sessions are an excellent way to refamiliarize yourself with key concepts and terms covered on the exams. However, what you get out of these sessions will be determined by what you put into them. Be prepared to actively participate in these sessions by asking questions, contributing ideas and providing input.

TAKS Practice Tests: The TExES exams are based on the TEKS. Because of this, many students find it helpful to take the online practice TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) tests on the TEA website:  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/release/taks/index.html

·         Below are test suggestions for specific areas.

·         EC-4 Generalist:

·         Take the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade READING, and MATH tests

·         Take the 5th grade SCIENCE test

·         Take the 8th grade READING, MATH, and SOCIAL STUDIES tests

·         4-8 Generalist:

·         Take the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade READING and MATH tests

·         Take the 5th grade SCIENCE test

·         Take the 8th grade READING, MATH, and SOCIAL STUDIES tests

·         4-8 Content Area:

·         Take the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade tests for your content area

Books and Study Kits: In addition, there are different publications that are produced by various groups. You are encouraged to do an internet search and review what is available to determine which books contain the information you need. UTEP makes no guarantees, stated or implied, about the quality of the materials listed. You are not required to use any of these materials or programs. The list is provided as a service to students who might want additional help. 

Put Reading First. The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read.

TExES STUDY SESSIONS PUBLICATIONS

PREPARATION MANUALS

            Special Education EC-12

            Generalist EC-4

            Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4

            Mathematics 4-8

            Social Studies 4-8

            Science 4-8

            English, Language Arts, and Reading 4-8

            Bilingual Education Supplemental 4-8

            PPR 4-8

            PPR 8-12

PRACTICE QUESTION MANUAL

            Special Education EC-12

            PPR 8-12

            PPR 4-8

            Bilingual Supplemental 4-8

            English, Language Arts, Reading 4-8

            Science 4-8

            Social Studies 4-8

            Mathematics 4-8

            PPR EC-4

            Bilingual Supplemental EC-4

            Generalist EC-4

PASS THE TEXES PUBLICATIONS

            Bilingual Education EC-4

            Science 8-12

            Social Studies 4-8

            English Language Arts and Reading 8-12

Nath and Ramsey. 2004. Preparing for the Texes PreK-4 Teacher Certification.

Hurley, Ryan, Booth, Tinajero. 2005. Preparing for the TExES PPR Examination.

Becoming an EC-4 Teacher in Texas - A Course of Study for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES. (2003) edited by Janice L. Nath and Myrna D. Cohen. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002-3098.

Becoming a Middle School or High School Teacher in Texas - A Course of Study for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES. (2005) edited by Janice L. Nath and Myrna D. Cohen. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002-3098.

The Best Test Preparation for the TExES PPR - Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Tests for EC-4, 4-8, 8-12, and EC-12. (2005)by Research & Education Association, 61 Ethel Road West, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854.

Cracking the TExES.(2005)Princeton Review Publishing, LLC, 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024.www.PrincetonReview.comIncludes full-length practice tests and detailed explanations for answers. [can be ordered from Amazon]

How to Prepare for the TExES - Texas Examinations of Educator Standards. (2004) Barron's Educational Services, Inc., 250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788. www.barronseduc.com[can be ordered from Amazon]

Pass the TExES - For Texas Teachers.Ed Publishing & Consulting.P.O. Box 2283, Wylie, TX 75098.Call (972-578-1922 or 817-996-0167, or visit their website at www.passthetexes.com Preparation manuals for PPR and content area tests. Includes CD with interactive PowerPoint Study Module. [can be ordered from Amazon]

Study the TExES in a Meaningful Way. (2005) J & L Education Consultants, San Antonio, TX. www.tcpea.net.

Study Manuals and Practice Question Manuals for Educators, by ExCET Study Sessions, LLC, P. O. Box 10962, Midland, TX 79702. www.texesstudy.com .

"The TExES Master" by Art Williams, P. O. Box 930, Groves, TX 77619, (409) 962-3100, or visit their web site at www.texes.net.

TExES - Texas Examination of Educator Standards. (2004)Kaplan Publishing. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

The Ultimate Guide to the EC-4 Generalist TExES. (2005) Ultimate Guide, P.O. Box 700170, San Antonio, TX 78270.www.ultimatetexesguide.com