Looking to get certified as a principal or assistant principal in Texas? First you’ll have to pass the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam. But don’t stress—you’re in the right place. The following article will detail the structure of this exam and offer valuable tips and resources to help you ace it.
The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader exam gauges whether you have the skills for effective school leadership. Given its importance to your career, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about passing this test. But there are ways to take charge of your testing experience. For instance, getting familiar with the exam structure can boost your confidence. A suite of effective study tools will also set you up for success on the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader test.
With that in mind, let’s delve into the details of the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam and explore some 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 Principal as Instructional Leader test with confidence. Let’s get to work!
Overview of the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) Exam
Knowing what to expect can help ease your nerves on test day. Let’s take a broad look at the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam to understand what it covers.
The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam is 4 hours and 45 minutes long. It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions as well as four written responses. The covers six different content domains:
- School Culture
- Leading Learning
- Human Capital
- Executive Leadership
- Strategic Operations
- Ethics, Equity and Diversity
Note that the four written prompts, which take the form of case studies, will only deal with the following domains: School Culture, Leading Learning, and Human Capital. However, the multiple choice questions will cover all six areas.
For specific details on exam topics, check out the information provided by the official TExES Principal as Instructional Leader prep guide. Familiarizing yourself with these content expectations should help you allocate study time. As you begin preparing for the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader exam, prioritize content domains you already know will be challenging.
Your study plan might also consider how often each content domain appears on the test. For instance, Executive Leadership; Strategic Operations; and Ethics, Equity and Diversity each account for only 5-6% of multiple choice questions. That’s not much. Furthermore, these domains will not appear on the exam’s written portion at all.
By contrast, the Leading Learning domain makes up a whopping 42% of the exam, when taking writing prompts into account. Therefore, it’s logical to focus much of your time on this domain – and considerably less on, say, Strategic Operations.
Overall, a thoughtful and balanced approach to studying the six content domains listed above will set you up for success on the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam.
Time Limit
You will have 4 hours and 45 minutes to complete the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam.
Passing Score
The passing score for the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam is a 240.
Number of Questions
The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader test has 70 multiple-choice questions that cover six different content domains. It also has four written response questions that address three of those domains.
Cost
The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam costs $116. Visit the TExES website for more information on payment and additional fees.
Registration Information
You can register for the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader exam year round. Start the registration process by creating an NES account, and then choose a convenient time, date, and exam site.
Scoring Information
Your TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) scores will be posted to your Pearson account after 10 p.m. (CT) on the report date for your exam. This typically falls within 28 days of your testing date. If you selected this option at registration, you will also receive your TExES scores via email. View the score report dates on the TExES website to find out when to expect your report. (Scroll down to “Score Reporting.”)
Want to learn more about TExES Principal as Instructional Leader scores? Explore the details with our TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) scoring guide!
Test Preparation Tips
Given its importance to your career, the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam may feel intimidating. However, 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 structure and content areas of the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) 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.
- Split your study blocks among content domains, and consider setting a timer to stay on track. It’s important that you be ready for every topic that may appear on this exam.
Review Basic Terms and Skills
- Before you begin studying, ensure you have a handle on the vocabulary you’ll need for this test. The TExES study guide recommends that you be familiar with this list of key terms.
- The Principal as Instructional Leader exam will require quite a bit of writing. To put yourself in the best position possible, this is a great time to brush up on your brainstorming, outlining, and composition skills.
Study Sample Questions and Take Practice Tests
- Attempt sample questions in every content category. While you may already have a sense of your strengths and weaknesses, you should test those assumptions against exam materials.
- Take full-length practice tests on a regular basis to ensure you’re comfortable with the exam’s format and timing. If you’re unable to finish tests within 4 hours and 45 minutes, avoid attempting a drastic time cut. Try gradually accelerating your pace instead.
- Use official TExES Principal as Instructional Leader exam preparation materials. Studying content that aligns with the real TExES 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 flashcards, charts, and diagrams to organize vocabulary and key concepts. Visualizing ideas can make them easier to remember.
- Engage in active learning by defining terms in your own words, explaining a concept 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 Principal as Instructional Leader 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: The TExES website recommends bringing clothing you can layer. You should also wear soft-soled shoes to keep the testing space quiet. Read 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 Principal as Instructional Leader (268) 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 4 hours and 45 minutes to answer all 70 multiple-choice questions and all four written prompts.
- 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 or how to fill out the compliance agreement you’ll sign before starting.
- Adaptive questions: The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader 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 Principal as Instructional Leader exam within 4 hours and 45 minutes. The following tips can help you manage your time effectively.
- Read and understand the instructions: Take a moment at the beginning of each section to go over all instructions thoroughly. This will help prevent errors and wasted time.
- Pace yourself: Don’t spend an excessive length of time on the multiple-choice section and then leave yourself scrambling to complete the four short responses. When you’re in a rush, it’s very hard to outline and write thoughtful answers.
- Anticipate needs: If you think you’ll need a bathroom break during this lengthy test, be sure to budget a few extra minutes.
- Know when to move on: There is no guessing penalty on the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader 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 your focus are all essential to doing well on the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader test.
Conclusion
The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam is essential to becoming a school principal in Texas. To pass this exam, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in areas such as community outreach, student support, teacher collaboration and assessment, employee retention, management of school resources and operations, and professional ethics.
While the length of this exam is impressive, don’t let that intimidate you. If you familiarize yourself with the exam structure, review all content areas, and follow our test prep tips, you can approach the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader exam with confidence, increasing your chances of success.
More TExES Principal as Instructional Leader Resources
