Improve Your TEXES Test Results with these 5 Strategies

Aspiring educators in Texas will need to pass the TEXES exam before they can work as a certified classroom teacher. The test helps gauge a candidate's mastery of their subject area, educational theory, and pedagogical knowledge. Not to be underestimated, the TEXES exam is generally the last step to certification before teachers enter the classroom. With your career hanging in the balance, a lot depends on your ability to pass the TEXES exam. While taking practice tests and studying can help, you'll need the right mindset on the day of the test to perform well.

If you're eager to pass the TEXES exam the first time you take it, consider using these five test-taking strategies to get the score you need:

Read Every Question and Every Answer

While this first strategy might seem like common sense, you'd be surprised at how many people get caught up in the anxiety of the TEXES exam and forget to read questions all the way through. Depending on which test you're taking, you'll only have about 90 minutes to complete the exam. With the pressure of your career riding on your results, it's easy to rush through the TEXES exam and not read through each question and answer choices. This is a common mistake – slowing down can actually significantly improve your score.

If you know time management is a struggle for you, taking practice tests can help. Exam Edge offers users the chance to set time limits like they would have on the real TEXES exam. You can also pause the test or go at your own pace. The options give you full control over your TEXES test prep.

Envision the Scenario

Many of the most common types of TEXES exam questions involve a scenario. Aspiring teachers will likely find themselves in such scenarios in their careers, so these questions can be especially good at gauging a person's classroom readiness. If you find yourself struggling with this kind of question, it can help to envision yourself in the scenario.

For example, if a question asks about the most important factors for student use of the internet as a research tool, you'll want to picture yourself in the classroom with a student. Consider the goal: to help a student use the internet for research. Then consider the age of the student involved – the guidelines for an elementary school student and a high school student look very different. Answering these questions about the scenario can help you find the correct response.

Use the Process of Elimination

This classic test-taking strategy is one you've likely used before. It's a standby, and for good reason: it's a logical approach to a potentially panic-stricken moment. While you might not have all the answers to life's questions, using the process of elimination on standardized tests like the TEXES exam can help you regain control over a system that feels out of your hands.

If you find yourself stumped by a question, take a few deep breaths. Begin using the process of elimination by reading and considering each answer choice. Look for clues that an answer choice is obviously not correct – anything you can find to help eliminate an answer is great. Once you've got things narrowed down, you may have to take an educated guess between two or three options. If you're not confident in your remaining choices, mark the question and come back to it later. You can sometimes find clues to the right answer in subsequent questions.

Answer Every Question

Some standardized tests do not punish you for leaving questions blank. The TEXES exam, however, will penalize you for an incomplete item. It behooves aspiring teachers to answer every question on the test, even if they're not sure of the correct answer. When blank and wrong answers are equally penalized, there's no risk in guessing! Of course, it's always a good idea to make an educated guess rather than a completely random one.

Look for Keywords

In your preparation for the TEXES exam, it helps to create lists of the competencies you'll be tested on and identify keywords and phrases that will likely come up on the test. If you can spot one of those keywords on the test, you'll be able to quickly link it back to the competency it's associated with, which can help you spot the correct answer choice. Even if you're not totally sure about which answer to choose, keywords can help you fine-tune the process of elimination strategy we mentioned above.

Set Yourself Up for Success with Exam Edge

While there's no silver bullet for success on the TEXES exam, practice tests can help ensure you're adequately prepared for any question that might appear. Exam Edge offers a whole host of online practice tests that can be taken at your own pace, timed like the real TEXES tests, or paused for you to take notes and check answers. There's no better way to get ready for the big test! Try out a sample practice test to get an idea of just how useful our resources can be – we know you'll love the ease of use and the wide array of questions you'll gain access to when using our library of practice tests!

Get started now with a free sample practice exam.