The TExES series of exams are designed to test aspiring teachers' content knowledge and skills in Texas. The TExES Health Science 6-12 exam is designed to assess the health science-related knowledge of those who wish to teach health science to students in grades 6 through 12 in the public school setting. Those who pass the TExES exam can earn TExES teacher certification in the state to teach in the field.
The TExES Health Science 6-12 exam consists of 100 selected-response questions. Test takers have 5 hours to complete this computer-based exam. The questions on the exam are divided into four domains: Academic Foundations, Medical Sciences, Occupational Knowledge, and Professional Responsiblities. Each domain covers different competencies with a varying number of questions. There may be some questions on the exam that will not be counted towards a tester's final score. Learn more about the Health Science TExES exam here.
Sixteen competencies are tested through the different domains on the TExES Health Science 6-12 exam. Testers will need to demonstrate aptitude with these various competencies. For example, the Academic Foundations domain contains three competencies, the Medical Sciences domain has three competencies, the Occupational Knowledge domain has seven competencies, and the Professional Responsibilities domain has three competencies. Below, we explore each domain of the Health Science TExES exam in greater detail.
Domain Title
Approximate Percentage of Exam
Approximate Number of Questions
Academic Foundations
19%
19
Medical Sciences
19%
19
Occupational Knowledge
43%
43
Professional Responsibilities
19%
19
Academic Foundations
The Academic Foundations domain makes up about 19% of the total exam and focuses on academic standards. In this section, test-takers will need to demonstrate their understanding of the history, terminology, scientific methods, and research in health science. In addition, candidates may need to answer specific questions about health-related problems, cultural influences on health care, technological advances in the field, medical word prefixes, medical dictionaries, and obtaining reliable sources for the field. Questions may also require testers to make mathematical calculations, read and interpret data, and apply critical-thinking skills. This section can be considered interdisciplinary, as testers may need skills and knowledge from additional fields, such as math, physics, biomedical science, and chemistry. The specific competencies tested in this domain are a candidate's:
Understanding of health care's history and impact on societies
Health science skills for scientific research, methods, and communication of findings
Understanding of health science-related terminology
Medical Sciences
The Medical Sciences domain also makes up about 19% of the exam and focuses on academic standards. This portion of the exam allows testers to demonstrate their detailed understanding of health-related concepts and skills, as it focuses on the medical sciences and is not as generic as the Academic Foundations section. Test takers will still need to know major concepts from various subject areas related to health, including biology and chemistry. Questions may require candidates to identify and understand various processes and functions of different body parts, microbiology related to the human body, disease progression, public health issues, and pathogenesis. This section of the test may require testers to identify, describe, explain, or analyze different concepts and processes, but will typically not need to perform as many calculations or data analysis as in the prior section. This domain covers the following competencies for candidates:
Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and homeostasis processes
Knowledge of microorganisms and how they impact infectious diseases
Understanding of various human diseases, including prevention, pathology, and pathogenesis
Occupational Knowledge
The Occupational Knowledge domain is the largest at about 43% of the total exam, and it focuses on academic, health and wellness, health care systems, and safety standards. Overall, this section of the exam tests candidates' knowledge and understanding of different areas of health science, including nutrition, mental health, health care systems, disease prevention, aging, and pharmacology. Test takers may be required to answer questions about concepts such as ethical issues with aging, nutritional information, drug administration, treatment of mental health issues, wellness strategies, health care technology, and disaster procedures. Candidates should also know some basic information about regulatory agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and health-related legislation, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This section covers seven competencies that test candidates' skills in:
The aging process and the effects of aging
Nutrition foundations, concepts, and social/cultural issues
The technology used in pharmacology
Mental health concepts and social/cultural issues
Wellness, disease prevention, and preventative health
Understanding the role of health care workers and health care systems
Health care safety, including procedures, policies, and environment
Professional Responsibilities
The Professional Responsibilities domain makes up the final 19% of the exam and covers communication, employability, ethical and legal issues, teaming, partnerships, and professional development standards. In general, this section is designed to ensure that test-takers know the professional side of health care, or how health care workers operate successfully in the field, to further help prepare their students for careers in health care. Testers may encounter questions that discuss concepts such as health care teams, problem-solving skills, work habits of health care workers, professional development opportunities, ethical behavior, and use of policies in the field. Candidates may need to analyze big issues in the field, such as problems related to death, clients' rights, and emerging technology. This section also tests candidates' general communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and planning skills. Specific competencies in this section include candidates':
Communication, leadership, and teaming skills, as well as ability to develop relationships in the community
Ability to prepare students for health care careers and professional development
Understanding of health care workers' legal and ethical responsibilities
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The TExES Health Science 6-12 exam contains 100 selected-response, or multiple-choice, questions. Depending on the question, test takers may need to select all the answers that apply, click checkboxes, or select answers from a drop-down menu. Some questions may also require candidates to click on sentences or parts of graphics. Still other questions may have test-takers type in an entry box or drag and drop answers into 'targets.'
Health Science TExES Exam
Format
Mode of Delivery
Computer-based
Language
English
Total Number of Questions
100
Question Type
Selected-response
Time Allotment
5 hours
Health Science TExES Registration
When test-takers are ready to register for the TExES Health Science 6-12 exam, they need to create a Pearson testing account (on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website) and link their TEA ID. Then, test takers can search through available seats for their exam, register, and schedule their Health Science TExES test. During TExES exam registration, candidates will also mark alternative testing arrangements if they need them. Test takers must be sure that they schedule their exam within 170 days of registering for the test.
The TExES exam cost to take the Health Science TExES exam is $116. Testers must pay a credit card (VISA or Mastercard) or debit/check card with a VISA or Mastercard emblem. If candidates need to withdraw their registration, they can do so before scheduling their exam or at least 48 hours before their test date. Doing so will give test takers a refund of their exam minus $25.
Health Science TExES Scoring
The TExES exam passing score for the Health Science 6-12 exam is 240. Scores for this exam range from 100 to 300 and are broken down by total test performance, performance by domain, performance by competency, and holistic scores. The total test performance shows test takers if they passed or failed and is a scaled score. The performance by domain shows the number of correct answers for each domain, while the performance by competency shows the correct answers for each competency. Finally, the holistic scores are for constructed-response questions, and therefore, will not be present on the Health Science TExES score report.
Health Science TExES test takers can expect to receive their test scores within seven days of testing. Score reports are posted at 10 pm Central Time to a candidate's online account. Should students fail, they can retake the exam up to five times. If testers do not pass within five attempts, they must then apply for a test-limit waiver.
Dates and Locations
TExES exam dates are generally available for the TExES Health Science 6-12 exam 3 to 4 days a week throughout the year. Test centers that offer the Health Science TExES exam are available throughout the state. Test takers can search for available test dates and locations using their online Pearson Testing Account.
Items to Remember
On test day, test takers should bring with them:
A valid ID (driver's license, passport, state identification, etc.)
Test takers are prohibited from bringing the following items into the test center:
Tobacco products
Visitors
Weapons
Cellphones
Communication devices
Recording devices
Calculated
Printed/written materials
Bags
Hats/headwear
Food or drink
Unauthorized aids
Unauthorized medical devices
Need An Alternative Testing Arrangement?
Alternative testing arrangements are available for test-takers who have documented learning, cognitive, or physical disabilities. Arrangements are also available for candidates who are nursing mothers. Some arrangements are available for test-takers without prior approval, including wheelchair access, visual enhancement features, comfort aids, and breaks, such as restroom or medication breaks. Other arrangements will require testers to submit the Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form. Candidates can go ahead and register and pay for their exam. During TExES registration, they will mark their intent to submit the alternative arrangement form. Then, testers can submit their request form with the appropriate documentation.
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Those wondering 'how hard is the TExES Health Science exam?' should understand that the exam is designed for TExES teacher certification, which means that fairly tough standards are in place to ensure proper qualifications. However, if candidates properly prepare and organize their study time, they can pass the Health Science TExES test. Candidates will be more likely to pass the TExES Health Science 6-12 exam if they study for at least a couple months before test day. Other study tips for the exam include:
Learning about the format and content of the exam with a TExES Health Science 6-10 study guide
Evaluating their knowledge and understanding of the content with a TExES Health Science 273 practice test or practice questions
Understand the different types of questions found on the exam and the different testing strategies for each type
Collect study materials (textbooks, library books, study guides, etc.)
Join a study group to review material
Assess Yourself with a TExES Health Science (273) Practice Test
Two of the best tools that candidates can use to prepare for the TExES Health Science 6-12 exam are the TExES Health Science 6-12 study guide and practice test. The TExES study guide provides candidates with information about the format of the Health Science TExES exam and what is on the test. The TExES Health Science 273 practice test can help testers evaluate their progress with the material and get familiar with the types of questions they will see on test day. Many practice tests also provide answers to questions at the end of the test, which candidates can use as an additional study tool.
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Andrea Pickens, Ed.D. has worked in the field of education for over 7 years, including more than 4 years as a middle and high school science teacher. As the Science Content Lead at her school, Andrea provides instructional support and resources to other educators. Andrea has passed the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 exam and the TExES 4-8 Science exam. She completed an Ed.D. at Baylor University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction at Texas A&M University.
