If you plan to teach lower-level social studies in Texas, you’ve probably heard of the TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) exam. As you may know, you must pass this test before you can be hired to teach social studies at the upper elementary or middle school level. With so much at stake, it’s crucial to understand this 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 Social Studies exam scoring.
Overview of the TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) Scoring Guide:
The TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) exam will assess your knowledge of the following content domains:
- Social Studies Content
- Social Studies Foundations, Skills and Instruction
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 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 Social Studies 4-8 (118) exam overview.
How the Exam is Scored
The TExES Social Studies 4-8 exam is scored by taking the sum of your correct answers and converting this 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 Social Studies 4-8 (118) 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 Social Studies 4-8 (118) score will be posted to your Pearson account after 10 p.m. (CT) on the report date for your exam. This should fall within seven 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.
Understanding Your Score Report
Your TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) score report will show your Total Test Performance as well as your Performance by Domain and Competency. The Total Test Performance section states whether you passed and shows your overall scaled score.
The second section shows how you performed in each content domain. If you did not pass the exam, you should find this report helpful for future studying. By reviewing your performance in each content domain, you can identify areas where you need the most work.
Do be cautious, however, about putting too much weight on your competency breakdowns. 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 performance, and plan to broadly study any domain where you did not do well.
Retaking the Exam
If you don’t pass the TExES Social Studies exam on your first try, you are allowed up to four retakes. However, you must wait 30 days between each attempt.
Conclusion:
TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) exam scores play a key role in determining your eligibility to teach lower-level social studies 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 Social Studies 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 knowledge domains where you need improvement.
Even if your first try was unsuccessful, you should feel confident that you can pass the TExES Social Studies 4-8 exam. With diligent study and a clear understanding of the test, you’ll be well prepared for your next attempt.
More TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) Resources
