Looking to get certified for core subjects in Texas? If you plan to teach at the upper elementary or middle school level, you’ll have to pass the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam. But don’t stress—you’re in the right place. The following article will detail the structure of this subtest and offer valuable tips and resources to help you ace it.
As part of the broad Core Subjects 4-8 test, the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies exam assesses your basic knowledge of social studies, ensuring you’re prepared to teach this subject in Texas public schools. It’s natural to feel some anxiety about this test, especially if history isn’t your strong suit. However, there are ways to take charge of your testing experience. For instance, gaining familiarity with the exam structure can boost your confidence. A suite of effective study tools will also set you up for success on the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies test.
With that in mind, let’s delve into the details of the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam and explore strategies for preparation. Whether you’re taking the exam for the first time or gearing up for a retake, this article will empower you to tackle the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies exam with confidence. Let’s get to work!
Overview of the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) Exam
Knowing what to expect can help ease your nerves on test day. Let’s take a broad look at the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam to understand what it covers.
The TExES Core Subjects 4-8 Social Studies (808) exam is a subtest of the broader Core Subjects 4-8 exam. The overall exam lasts 4 hours and 45 minutes and consists of four sections (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science).
During the Social Studies (808) section, you will have 50 minutes to answer 42 multiple-choice questions. The questions cover a number of competencies, which may include material related to:
- Significant historical events and issues in Texas, the U.S., and the world
- Geographic regions and relationships of Texas, the U.S., and the world
- Economic systems and resource distribution
- Government, democracy, citizenship, and politics
- Cultural development and diversity
- Social studies foundations and skills
- Social studies instruction and assessment
For specific details on topics that may appear on this exam, check out the information provided in the official TExES Social Studies (808) subject exam guide. Familiarizing yourself with these expectations should help you allocate study time. As you begin preparing for the Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies subtest, focus on areas you know will be challenging.
Overall, try to take a balanced approach to studying the competencies listed in the official study guide. This will set you up for success on the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam.
Time Limit
You will have 50 minutes to complete the Social Studies (808) section of the TExES Core Subjects 4-8 exam.
Passing Score
240 is the passing score for the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) test.
Note that this is the same as the passing score for the TExES Core Subjects exam as a whole. You can only pass the overall exam if you score at least 240 on each subtest (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science).
Number of Questions
The TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies exam has 42 multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of competencies.
Cost
The TExES Social Studies (808) test is a section of the TExES Core Subjects 4-8 (211) exam, which costs $116. You do not have to pay a separate fee for the TExES Social Studies (808) subtest.
Under certain circumstances, you may be allowed to take the TExES Social Studies (808) section as a standalone exam. This costs $58 per attempt. Review the TExES Retake Policy for more information.
You can also visit the TExES website for further details on payment and additional fees.
Registration Information
You can register for the TExES Core Subjects 4-8 (211) exam year round. Start the registration process by creating an NES account. Pay for the test online and then choose a convenient time, date, and exam site.
You don’t have to register separately for the TExES Social Studies (808) exam. This exam is part of the overall Core Subjects 4-8 (211) test.
Scoring Information
Your TExES Core Subjects 4-8 scores will be posted to your Pearson account after 10 p.m. (CT) on the report date for your exam. This typically falls within seven days of your testing date. You will also receive your TExES scores via email if you chose 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.”)
Want to learn more about TExES Social Studies (808) scores? Explore the details with our TExES Core Subjects 4-8 Social Studies (808) scoring guide!
Test Preparation Tips
Given its broad scope, the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam may feel intimidating. However, adopting the right strategies and mindset will give you the boost you need to succeed. Here are some preparation tips to make the most of your study time:
Take a Proactive Approach
- Get familiar with the format and content areas of the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) test as soon as you can. The longer you put off studying, the more anxiety you’ll feel. (Reading this article is a great start!)
- Avoid procrastination by using a calendar app to schedule study time. When you’ve made a formal appointment to study, it’s harder to skip.
Review Key Concepts and Skills
- You might ease in by starting with competencies that deal with pedagogy and best practices for teaching, supporting, and assessing students in a social studies classroom. Many test takers find these areas less stressful than competencies that concern factual information.
- When moving into fact-based competencies, be sure you have a grounding in the basics before you jump into details. For instance, refamiliarizing yourself with the broad arcs of 19th-century U.S. and Texas history will make it easier to contextualize facts about the Mexican-American War.
Study Sample Questions and Take Practice Tests
- Don’t just practice taking the Social Studies (808) section as a 50-minute standalone exam. To create a realistic testing scenario, you should also take full-length Core Subject practice tests to ensure you’re comfortable with the exam’s format and timing.
- If you’re unable to finish the Social Studies (808) exam within 50 minutes (and the full Core Subjects test within 4 hours and 45 minutes), avoid attempting a drastic time cut. Try gradually accelerating your pace instead.
- Use official TExES exam preparation materials. Studying content that aligns with the real TExEs Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies exam will help prevent surprises on test day.
Develop Effective Study Strategies
- Whenever you miss a practice question, don’t just move on. Read the explanation behind each answer and ensure it makes sense.
- Break down your study routine into manageable chunks. It’s better to dedicate 20 minutes to studying every night than to burn out after 10 hours of nonstop prep.
- Use timelines, charts, and flashcards to organize events and concepts. Visualizing complex ideas can make them easier to remember.
- Engage in active learning techniques such as summarizing facts in your own words, explaining an event to someone else, or participating in study groups. These strategies will help ensure you’re truly mastering the material, as opposed to memorizing surface details.
Important Exam Day Instructions
On the day of your TExES Core Subjects 4-8 exam, read all pre-test instructions carefully. Allow ample time for travel—and verify that you’re headed to the location named in your confirmation email. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before the time of your exam.
Check Required Items
Before leaving for the exam, double-check that you have all you need. Essential items can include:
- Valid identification: To take any TExES content exam, you’ll need to present two forms of photo ID. Both IDs must also show your signature, and neither may be expired.
- Necessary materials: To combat cold exam rooms, the TExES website recommends bringing clothing you can layer. You should also be sure to wear soft-soled shoes to keep the testing space quiet. Review the official instructions to learn more about testing policies and what to bring to the exam site.
Understand Exam Format and Instructions
To prevent confusion on test day, familiarize yourself with the format and basic instructions of the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam well in advance. Key things to remember include:
- Time limits: Be aware of the time limit and set your pace accordingly. You will have 50 minutes to answer all 42 questions.
- Marking scheme: Make sure you know how to mark selections properly on your screen. TExES content exams take place exclusively via computer.
- Special instructions: Pay attention to any special instructions provided by the exam proctors, such as rules around breaks.
- Adaptive questions: The TExES 4-8: Social Studies exam is adaptive, meaning that your performance on each question affects the difficulty level of the next question. Missing too many easy questions can start to limit the difficulty of your test, making it harder to earn enough points to pass. For this reason, you should take the exam seriously from beginning to end.
- Test difficulty: Don’t assume you’re doing poorly just because the test seems tough. No matter how well you’re performing, this exam will feel challenging due to its adaptive design. Keep calm and carry on!
Manage Time Effectively
Time management is crucial to finishing the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies exam within 50 minutes. The following tips can help you manage your time effectively.
- Read and understand the instructions: Take a moment at the beginning to go over all instructions thoroughly. This will help prevent errors and wasted time.
- Pace yourself: On average, you’ll have a little over a minute for each question.
- Know when to move on: There is no guessing penalty on the TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies exam, so if you’re stuck on a question, it’s in your best interest to guess.
On exam day, you can use these tips to streamline your test-taking process and maximize your chances of success. Working efficiently, staying calm, and maintaining focus are all essential to doing well on the 4-8: Social Studies test.
Conclusion
The 4-8: Social Studies (808) exam is an important part of the TExES Core Subjects test, which is in turn essential to gaining certification. To pass the Social Studies (808) exam, you’ll need to show proficiency in areas such as U.S. history, Texas history, world history, geography, government, economics, and cultural diversity.
Despite its broad scope, don’t let this test intimidate you. If you familiarize yourself with the exam structure, review all content areas, and follow our prep tips, you can approach the TExES Social Studies (808) exam with confidence, increasing your chances of success.
More TExES Core Subjects 4-8: Social Studies Resources
