Test Results and Score Reporting

Test Scores and Passing Standards

TExES test results are reported using a total test scaled score as follows:

  • Your results for each TExES test are reported as a score in the range of 100-300, with a total test scaled score of 240 as the minimum passing score.

The multiple-choice section of the test is scored based on the number of questions you answered correctly.

  • No additional points are subtracted for questions answered incorrectly.
  • Even if you are uncertain about the answer to a question, it is better to guess than not to respond at all; there is no penalty for guessing.

Minimum passing standards for the tests were established by SBEC with input from committees of Texas educators. For the TExES tests, the minimum passing score represents the minimum level of competency required to be an entry-level educator in Texas public schools in the field in which you tested.

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Interpreting Your Test Scores

Your total test scaled score shows how you performed on the test as a whole and whether you passed the test. Total scaled scores allow for comparison of scores across different versions of the same test. For an explanation of the reporting and interpretation of scores on various tests, see Understanding Your Texas Educator Certification Program Test Scores (PDF). Further data about total scores for many of the Texas tests is available in Summary Statistics for Total Scores (PDF).

NOTE: Your test may include some questions that do not count toward your score. These are new questions that are being tried out in actual test administrations in order to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions.

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Reporting Your Test Scores

Your score report will be available to you in your ETS testing account. It will provide information about your passing status and other performance information. Also provided is an explanation of how to read your score report. See Test Scores and Passing Standards for information on the passing requirements for TExES tests.

Score reports are posted by 5 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Scores are viewable for 90 days.

Your scores are automatically made available to TEA and to your EPP (if applicable). Your score report is for your information only; there is no need to send it to TEA or your EPP. Under no circumstances will ETS or TEA release your score information by phone, fax, e-mail or in person.

Paper score reports are not mailed. It is suggested that you print a copy of your online score report for your permanent records.

NOTE: Application for certification does not proceed automatically based upon receipt of your scores by TEA. To apply for certification, you must go to the TEA website and follow the application for certification instructions.

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Delay of Test Scores

Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed.

  • Scores for newly developed or substantially revised tests may be delayed in order to set passing scores.
  • Scores may be delayed due to problems with registration, failure to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in the Registration Bulletin and/or with instructions given by test center personnel.
  • Scores will be delayed if there are problems with your payment. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for more information.
  • Your scores may be permanently voided if you are completing certification requirements through an EPP and you have not provided proof that you have approval to test (i.e., a TEA ID number from your EPP). See Approval to Test for more information.

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Score Reporting Dates

Continuous CAT Testing
Score reports for CAT tests offered on a continuous basis are available within 7 days of your test date. If you are not able to view your score report, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626.

Limited-Administration CAT Tests (Multiple-Choice Only)  

Test Dates

Scores Available By

10/17/12 - 10/20/12

10/26/12

1/2/13 - 1/5/13

1/11/13

3/6/13 - 3/9/13

3/15/13

4/10/13 - 4/13/13

4/19/13

5/8/13 - 5/11/13

5/17/13

6/19/13 - 6/22/13

6/28/13

8/21/13 - 8/24/13

8/30/13


Limited-Administration CAT Tests (with Constructed Response)

English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 

Test Dates

Scores Available On

11/7/12 - 11/10/12

12/3/12

1/23/13 - 1/26/13

2/18/13

4/3/13 - 4/6/13

4/29/13

6/12/13 - 6/15/13

7/8/13


BTLPT Spanish and LOTE EC-12 (French, German, Latin, Spanish) Tests 

Test Dates

Scores Available On

9/15/12 - 9/22/12 (BTLPT and LOTE French and Spanish only)

10/15/12

12/1/12 - 12/8/12 (BTLPT and all LOTE)

12/31/12

2/9/13 - 2/16/13 (BTLPT and LOTE French and Spanish only)

3/11/13

4/27/13 - 5/4/13 (BTLPT and all LOTE)

5/28/13

7/6/13 - 7/13/13 (BTLPT and all LOTE)

8/5/13

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Scoring Services

Score Verification
Test takers who do not pass may request score verification for the written and spoken response sections only of the computer-administered BTLPT Spanish (194), English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 (131) and LOTE French (610), German (611) and Spanish (613) tests. Score verification is not available for any other TExES CAT tests.

All written/spoken responses are scored according to standardized procedures. Scorers with relevant professional backgrounds are thoroughly trained and carefully monitored during scoring sessions.

Score verification services can be requested through your ETS testing account. You may not request more than one score verification per test session. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for information about payment. Your request must be submitted online or received within three months of the test date.

The results of the score verification process for English Language Arts and Reading 8-12, BTLPT and the LOTE tests will be available within four to six weeks after receipt of the request and payment.

In the event that the score verification process results in a change in your score, you will be notified, the score verification fee will be refunded and a corrected score report will be posted to your ETS testing account and transmitted to TEA. If the original score is confirmed, you will be notified and your fee will not be refunded.

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Cancellation of Test Scores by You

At the end of a CAT test, you are given the option of reporting or canceling your scores for that session. Once your test has been scored, your score cannot be canceled. If you choose to have your scores reported, they become part of your record and will be reported to you, to TEA and to your EPP (if applicable). Once you choose to report your scores, they cannot be canceled.

If you choose to cancel your scores, they will not be reported and they cannot be reinstated. You will not receive a refund if you cancel your scores. If you would like to retake the test via computer after canceling your scores, you must wait at least 60 days.

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Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and TEA

ETS takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering TExES tests and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, TEA reserves the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if TEA deems there is reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the Test Center Procedures and Regulations, and the procedures communicated to you orally or in writing at the test center). In such cases, ETS will notify the relevant parties of TEA's decision.

Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in Test Center Procedures and Regulations may be taken as deemed appropriate by TEA and/or ETS.

Testing Irregularities
"Testing irregularities" refers to problems with the administration of a test. Testing irregularities may result from actions of test takers, test center administrators, ETS or natural or man-made causes. When testing irregularities occur, they may affect an individual or groups of test takers, including without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials [e.g., improper test forms] and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters or other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test, or cancel the test score at the TEA's discretion. When, in the TEA's sole judgment it is appropriate to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as reasonably possible without charge.

Identification Discrepancies
When, in ETS's judgment or the judgment of a test administrator, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center, and/or ETS may decline to score that test or may cancel that test score if the documents completed on test day cannot be authenticated. If scores are canceled, test fees are forfeited.

Misconduct
When ETS or a test administrator find that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score the test or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. If scores are canceled, test fees are forfeited. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with the Test Center Procedures and Regulations.

Invalid Scores
ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Substantial evidence means evidence that is sufficient to persuade a reasonable person. The substantial evidence standard is lower (i.e., requires less proof) than beyond a reasonable doubt, clear and convincing and preponderance of the evidence standards. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, discrepant photographs or fingerprints or unusual answer patterns and inconsistent performance on different parts of the test. Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses ETS's concerns, considers any such information submitted and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest or allowing TEA to make a decision whether to accept the scores.

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