EXAM PREPARATION
Begin preparing as early as possible to take these exams so that you can take advantage of the preparation opportunities we provide, and so that you will not have our progress delayed if you have any trouble passing the exams. Think about how you best learn, and seek out that type of study environment. There are a number of preparation methods available to you:
- To begin your preparation, please visit the state website [http://www.texes.ets.org/texes/prepMaterials/] to download free of charge the preparation manual for your specific exam. This manual will give you an overview of the exam, details about how the items are designed and organized, practice items, and discussion about the answers. Also check out their documents on Study Tips: Preparing for the Texas Educator Certification Tests <http://www.texes.ets.org/assets/pdf/studytips_0607.pdf> and Reducing Test Anxiety <http://www.texes.ets.org/assets/pdf/testanxiety_0607.pdf> .
- Before you take the Benchmark exams, it is highly recommended that you take advantage of our free TExES review sessions offered to currently enrolled education students by the Curriculum and Instruction department. Review session registration and specific session guidelines can be found at the QUEST website.
- If you attend a review session, our department will provide you with three (3) complimentary testing center tests. Once you attend a review session, your name will be sent to the testing center and the next three Benchmark exams taken will be given free of charge.
- We also offer TExES review software in the CITE lab, that is freely available for you to use. The software allows you to take practice tests and gives you analysis on how well you did by competency.
- You may decide to purchase any of a number of TExES preparation books or materials. You can generally find these in the test preparation area of most bookstores, or by searching for the TExES exam online. Two books some students find helpful are:
o Nath, J. & Ramsey, J. (2007). Preparing to teach Texas content areas: The TExES EC-4 Generalist and the ESL supplement. Allyn & Bacon.
o Nath, J. & Cohen, M. (2002). Becoming an EC-4 Teacher in Texas. Wadsworth Publishing.
- Further, you can search for TExES preparation on the Internet and find a host of preparation opportunities.
Your performance on the Benchmark exams, and in turn the state exams, is very important to us. We track your scores on these tests closely so that instructors and advisors know how best to assist you. If you have taken a Benchmark exam three times without passing, you may qualify for individual tutoring. Please contact your advisor for more information. You also will find it helpful to request a printout of your diagnostic results by competency from the University Testing Center—ask for details when you take your exam.
There are many ways for you to prepare to be successful on the certification exams, but you must take the process seriously and make it a priority in your professional life. All of your hard work in school up to now can best be put to use by progressing on in the program; Students who have not been successful will not advance to the next phase of the program.
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