If you plan to be a life science teacher in Texas, you’ve probably heard of the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) exam. As you may know, you must pass this assessment before you can be hired to teach life science at the junior or senior high school level. With so much at stake for your career, it’s crucial to understand the scoring system for this exam. 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 Life Science exam scoring.
Overview of the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Scoring Guide:
The TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) exam will assess your competence in the following content domains:
- Scientific Inquiry and Processes
- Cell Structure and Processes
- Heredity and Evolution of Life
- Diversity of Life
- Interdependence of Life and Environmental Systems
- Science Learning, Instruction and Assessment
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 Life Science 7-12 (238) exam overview.
How the Exam is Scored
The TExES Life Science 7-12 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 Life Science 7-12 (238) 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 Life Science 7-12 (238) 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 score via email if you selected that 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.”)
Understanding Your Score Report
Your TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) 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 provides your overall scaled score.
The second section shows how well you performed in each content domain. If you did not pass the exam, you should find this report helpful for future studying. By reviewing the breakdown of your performance within each content domain, you can identify areas where you need the most work.
Do be cautious, however, about putting too much weight on your competencies breakdown. Each competency within a content domain accounts for a very small number of questions, making it hard to draw firm conclusions about your performance. You should instead focus on your overall domain scores, and plan to broadly study any domain where you did not do well.
Retaking the Exam
If you don’t pass the TExES Life Science exam on your first try, you are allowed up to four retakes. However, you must wait 30 days between each attempt.
Conclusion:
TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) exam scores play a key role in determining your eligibility to teach life science 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 Life Science 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 areas where you need improvement.
Even if your first try was unsuccessful, you should feel confident that you can pass the TExES Life Science 7-12 exam. With diligent study and a clear understanding of the test, you’ll be well prepared for your next attempt.
More TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Resources
