Your Ultimate Guide to TExES Registration

Are you ready to register for a TExES exam but not sure what you need? We will walk you through how to register for an exam step by step and answer questions like:

• Do I need an ID (and what kind of ID) for a TExES test?
• Do I get a formula sheet or a calculator on the exams?
• What happens if I fail a test? Can I retake it?

We will also give you test-day tips and everything else you need to know to be successful on the TExES.

Ready? Let’s get started.

How Do You Register for a TExES Exam?

To register for the TExES exam, you need to create an account with Pearson at the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program site. After you’ve created an account, select “Current Registrations” and then “Schedule” to choose the exam you’d like to take.

To create a Pearson account, you will provide an email address, which will also be used as your username. Make sure that this is your permanent email address, not a temporary one that you will not be able to consistently access.

You will create a password between 6 and 30 characters long, and you will also be asked to provide a security question and answer in case you need to change your password.

You will need to provide a TEA ID number to link your Pearson account with your TEA account. If you’re a first-timer, go to the Texas Education Agency website and click on ECOS for educators (this stands for Educator Certification Online System). Once you’ve created a TEA Login or TEAL, you’ll be given a TEA ID number to use for your TExES exam.

Note: You must schedule an exam within 170 days of registering for a particular exam. You can schedule it when you register or later, and you can reschedule or cancel within 48 hours of the test without fees.

How Much Does it Cost to Register for a TExES Exam?

Most TExES exams cost $116. These include the Core Subjects exams, 391 and 211.

Remember that you will also need to take the Science of Teaching Reading (293) for $136 if you are seeking certification in the Core Subjects EC-6 or Core Subjects 4-8. This is a change that took effect beginning in January 2021. You can also take subtests of certain TExES exams individually, like the Math subtest of the Core Subjects EC-6 or the Science subtest of the Core Subjects 4-8, for $58 per subtest.

Want more information about all of the costs associated with the TExES? Check out this article about what you must know about TExES costs.

Do You Need an ID to Take a TExES Exam?

You do need an ID to take a TExES exam; you actually need two pieces of current ID.

What Kind of ID Do You Need for the TExES Test?

Bring two valid, original forms of ID to your testing center, and make sure that the name on your ID matches the name on your test registration exactly. The IDs must contain both a signature and a photo. You can use a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or state ID.

Do You Get a Formula Sheet on TExES Exams?

If you are taking the CORE Subjects EC-6 exam, you will not be given a formula sheet or an on-screen calculator. Most other TExES exams that use formulas do provide a formula sheet, but it is up to you to know how to use these formulas to solve the test questions. You can find the formula sheets by selecting your exam here and reviewing the information under “reference materials provided.” There is no set standard for formula sheets, so be sure to check before you take your exam.

Do You Get a Calculator on TExES Exams?

An on-screen calculator is not provided for the CORE Subjects EC-6 exam. Most other TExES exams that contain mathematical calculation questions do offer an on-screen calculator for test use. For advanced exams like 7-12 Mathematics, you will need to bring your own graphing calculator. You can check out approved graphing calculators here.

What Happens If You Fail a TExES Exam?

TExES exam scores are reported in seven (7) days for most exams, and no later than 28 days for exams with constructed-response questions. The range for TExES scaled scores is 100 to 300, but you must earn a total of 240 scaled points to pass the TExES.

Log in to your online educator’s account to check your scores three to four weeks after your test date. You can also check the list of score report dates available here. Scores are reported at 10 PM Central on the report date.

If you fail a TExES exam, you can retake it up to four more times, for a total of five attempts to take the test.

Can You Retake a TExES Exam?

You can take a TExES exam five times in total. So if you fail your first try, you can take the TExES four more times to try and pass. Once you max out your five attempts, you will have to apply for a TExES retake waiver to get permission to take the exam again.

How Long Do You Have to Wait Before You Can Retake a TExES Exam?

If you fail the TExES, you must wait 30 days before retaking it. Ignoring the 30-day wait time could cause your test scores to be invalidated.

Although there’s a wait time to retake any TExES exam, there’s not a maximum time limit to retake your test as long as it meets the 30-day wait criteria.

Are There any Other Registration Details You Should Know?

You should arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes prior to your exam. Although you may not feel like it, you should eat something beforehand so that you have enough energy to get through your exam.

If you are taking the TExES CORE EC-6 or 4-8 exam for the first time, you will have to take all of the subtests in one sitting.

The information in your registration fields must match your ID information exactly. If the info doesn’t match, the state of Texas will need to confirm:

• DOB
• Social Security number
• Email address
• Legal name

Test Tips for the TExES

Here are some tips that may help you on the day of your test.

• Check your route: Make sure that you have mapped out a direct route to your testing center. Travel the route at the same time of day that you will be traveling on your testing day to check traffic patterns. This way you can leave in plenty of time and (hopefully) not experience any traffic surprises.
• Wear layers: Temperatures at testing sites vary, so bring an extra sweater or shirt.
• Get plenty of sleep: This one may be more difficult, but try and get a solid night’s sleep the night before your test.

Check out free resources and study guides for TExES exams.