The TExES Core Subjects Exam (391) is a five-part teacher certification exam in the state of Texas. This TExES exam is part of the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program and should be taken by candidates who want to be licensed to teach Early Childhood through grade six.
The subjects covered on the Core Subjects EC-6 exam are English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education.
This exam is an updated version of the previous Core Subjects Exam (291).
Science (904) is the fourth test on the Core Subjects EC-6 exam. It makes up 21.5% of the total exam.
All candidates who want to teach early childhood and elementary school must pass all five sections of the Core Subjects exam, including science. Candidates who take this exam will most likely teach a wide range of subjects to their classroom, so it's important they are able to pass all five sections.
Most candidates take the TExES exam after they complete their educator preparation program; however, there are some alternative pathways to licensure that involve testing before beginning school or after becoming certified.
Time and Format of the EC-6 Generalist Science Test
55 minutes of the five-hour Core Subjects exam are devoted to the Science section, also referred to as the EC-6 Generalist Science Test. There are 45 selected-response questions in this section of the exam. This means candidates have just over one minute per science question and must pace themselves accordingly.
The entire Core Subjects exam, including the TExES Science EC-6, is a computer-administered test. There is no physical copy of the test. All answers are submitted on the testing computer. Candidates who do not pass the science exam on their first try can retake this portion of the exam without having to retake the entire exam.
Types of Questions
All the questions on the TExES Science EC-6 test are selected-response. This means that for each question, test-takers have multiple choices to select from when deciding their answer. Most of these will be standard multiple-choice questions; however, some questions may contain different formats.
Some questions may begin with reading passages or images (like graphs, diagrams, or models) that require candidates to answer questions based on this extra information. These may be presented as single questions (one question pertaining to the extra information) or clustered questions (two or more questions pertaining to the extra information). Other types of questions include selecting all that apply, drag and drop, and drop-down menus.
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Breakdown of Content for the TExES Science EC-6 Exam
The content on the EC-6 Generalist Science test is based on 11 standards of science education. These standards include topics like scientific inquiry, the history of science, and concepts and processes used across different fields of science. All the standards for the science exam are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the standard state curriculum for students in Texas. TEKS curriculum for grades EC-6 includes physical science, life science, and Earth and space science
Knowledge of these standards are assessed by testing candidates on 18 competencies. These competencies represent skills and subject knowledge that all beginning EC-6 science teachers should have.
EC-6 Generalist Science Test Competencies
Below are the 18 competencies on the Science EC-6 exam, along with examples of topics that may appear on the test.
1. Lab Processes, Equipment, and Safety - Includes lab safety, gathering data, and measurement systems
2. History and Nature of Science - Includes observations, scientific equipment, and the development of science over time
3. Impact of Science - Includes fitness and health, populations and population growth, and the effect of science on global processes
4. Concepts and Processes - Includes evidence, models, data patterns, and organization across scientific disciplines
5. Students as Learners and Science Instruction - Includes curriculum, hands-on learning experiences, and age-appropriate instruction
6. Science Assessment - Includes appropriate assessments of students' understanding
7. Forces and Motion - Includes universal forces, changes in motion, and the relationship between the two
8. Physical and Chemical Properties - Includes properties of solids, liquids, and gases, as well as physical and chemical changes in all three
9. Energy and Interactions - Includes energy transformation, heat, light, and sound
10. Energy Transformations and Conservation - Includes electrical energy, photosynthesis, and conservation of matter
11. Structure of Function of Living Things - Includes life cycles, structure of organisms, and human body systems
12. Reproduction and the Mechanisms of Heredity - Includes plant and animal reproduction, dominant and recessive traits, and genes
13. Adaptations and Evolution - Includes survival of certain species, mutation, and selective breeding
14. Organisms and the Environment - Includes internal and external stimuli, competition among species, and ecosystems
15. Structure and Function of Earth Systems - Includes plate tectonics, the atmosphere, and gradual and catastrophic changes to Earth systems
16. Cycles in Earth Systems - Includes the rock cycle, the water cycle, and the nutrient cycle
17. Energy in Weather and Climate - Includes elements of weather, energy transfers, and weather predictions and charts
18. Solar System and the Universe - Includes the Earth-Moon-Sun system and the solar system
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In order to pass the EC-6 Generalist Science Test, candidates must earn a score of 240. The TExES scores are calculated by using the raw score (out of 45 possible correct answers) and converting it to a scaled score between 100 and 300. The same score must be earned on all five sections of the Core Subjects exam in order to pass.
Some questions on the exam may remain unscored. These questions do not count towards your final score.
Candidates can register for the Core Subjects EC-6 exam through Pearson VUE, the company that administers the TExES exams. Appointments are offered year round on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates can select from available dates and locations to find a testing appointment that is most convenient for them.
Pearson testing sites are located across Texas and the rest of the United States.
Candidates must follow all registration policies, which include rules about payment, scheduling, refunds, and cancellation policies, as well as revocation of approval to take the exam. In the case that any of these rules are broken, candidates may be forced to pay extra fees or even be prevented from registering for future attempts.
For retests, candidates must select an appointment date that falls at least 30 days after their previous test date. Retakes can be scheduled as soon as official scores are posted. Candidates are limited to five attempts to pass any exam for TExES certification.
What Does the Exam Cost?
The TExES exam cost for the entire Core Subjects EC-6 exam is $116. This fee must be paid again if a candidate has to retake the entire exam.
Candidates who only need to retake the Science test, or any other single section of the Core Subjects exam, will pay a fee of $58. However, if two or more sections are failed, the entire exam must be retaken and the $116 fee must be paid again.
Expectations and Policies of Testing
Test takers must comply with all TExES policies, as well as all Pearson test center rules. These include:
No refunds of any kind for any reason.
Candidates must arrive on time and will be considered absent if they arrive more than 15 minutes late.
Candidates must check in with two forms of valid ID.
Candidates must follow reasonable instructions from the staff and administration at the test center.
Items like cell phones, food or beverages, calculators, or any other unauthorized aids are prohibited and should not be brought into the test center.
Making noise or disturbing the testing environment may result in the termination of your test.
Cheating of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Candidates must sign a compliance agreement stating that they agree to follow all rules of both the TExES testing centers and the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program. Scores may be canceled for candidates who do not abide by all these rules.
TExES EC-6 Science Practice Test & Preparation
It is important to devote study time to each of the five sections of the TExES Core Subjects EC-6 exam. Candidates can prepare for the science exam by utilizing online EC-6 Science practice tests. By completing a TExES practice test, candidates can familiarize themselves with the type of content they will see on the exam as well as the general format and structure of the questions. In addition, they can learn what content areas they still need to spend more time studying.
When candidates become familiar with the way that the TExES Science EC-6 questions address science standards and competencies, they can focus on the content without any uncertainty about the style of the exam.
Candidates should make a study plan to cover the wide range of information covered on the Core Subjects exam. Helpful study tips include studying with a group, using free TExES Science EC-6 study guides, and sticking to an organized study schedule.
Expert Contributor
Amy Mayers
Amy Mayers, M.Ed. has taught middle school math for over 7 years. She is a Texas certified teacher for grades 4-12 in mathematics and has passed the TExES Math 4-8 and the TExES Math 7-12. Amy graduated with a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Houston and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the EC-6 exam?
The TExES Core Subjects EC-6 exam is five hours long and spans five different subject areas. Some future teachers find the exam to be quite different. It's important to prepare appropriately to avoid having to retake the exam.
What can I teach with EC-6 core subjects?
Candidates should take the Core Subjects EC-6 exam if they want to teach a wide range of subjects to elementary school or early elementary school students.
