If you plan to be an upper-level English teacher in Texas, you’ve probably heard of the TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) exam. As you may know, you cannot be hired to teach English at the junior or senior high school level unless you pass this test. With so much at stake, it’s crucial to understand the TExES ELAR exam’s scoring system. If you know what it takes to pass, you’ll be able to prepare more effectively.
To give you a leg up, this article will cover all you need to know about TExES English Language Arts and Reading exam scoring.
Overview of the TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) Scoring Guide:
The multiple-choice questions on the TExES ELAR 7-12 (231) exam will assess your competence in the following content domains:
- Integrated Language Arts, Diverse Learners and the Study of English
- Literature, Reading Processes and Skills for Reading Literary and Nonliterary Texts
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication and Media Literacy
You will also complete two written responses. The first will be a literary analysis exercise. The second will demonstrate your pedagogical skills.
Overall, the exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and two written responses, and it has a time limit of 4 hours and 45 minutes. For more details on the structure of this test, take a look at our TExES 7-12 English Language Arts and Reading (231) exam overview.
How the Exam is Scored
The TExES 7-12 English Language Arts and Reading exam is scored by taking the sum of your correct answers, as well as the holistic scores from your written responses, and converting them into a scaled score that takes test difficulty into account.
There is no penalty for incorrect answers on this exam.
Passing Score
To pass the TExES 7-12 English Language Arts and Reading (231) exam, you must receive a scaled score of at least 240.
(Yes, that’s why we’re called 240 Tutoring!)
When Will You Get Your Score Report
Your TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) score will be posted to your Pearson account after 10 p.m. (CT) on the report date for your exam. This should fall within 28 days of your testing date. You will also receive your TExES scores via email if you selected this option at registration. View the score report dates on the TExES website to find out when to expect your scores. (Scroll down to “Score Reporting.”)
Understanding Your Score Report
Your TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) score report will show your Total Test Performance, your Performance by Domain and Competency, and your Holistic Scores. The Total Test Performance section states whether you passed and provides your overall scaled score. The second section and third sections reveal, respectively, how you performed in each content domain and how the exam graders scored your short responses.
If you did not pass the exam, you should find this score report helpful for future studying. Were your written responses a serious detriment to your score? That means you should be practicing skills in this area. Did the multiple-choice section go poorly? Examine the breakdown of your performance for each content domain and identify areas where you need the most review.
Do be cautious, however, about putting too much weight on your competency breakdown. Each competency within a domain accounts for a very small number of questions, making it hard to draw firm conclusions about your performance. Focus on your overall domain results, and plan to broadly study any domain where you did not do well.
Retaking the Exam
If you don’t pass the TExES English Language Arts and Reading exam on your first try, you are allowed up to four retakes. However, you must wait 30 days between each attempt.
Conclusion:
TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) exam scores play a key role in determining your eligibility to teach upper-level English in Texas. Understanding how this test is scored and what is required to pass should help you prepare more effectively, maximizing your chances of success.
If you don’t pass the TExES English Language Arts and Reading exam on your first try, remember to take advantage of the detailed performance breakdown on your score report. This is an invaluable tool for identifying areas where you need improvement.
Even if your first try was unsuccessful, you should feel confident that you can pass the TExES ELAR 7-12 exam. With diligent study and a clear understanding of the test, you’ll be well prepared for your next attempt.
More TExES English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 (231) Resources