The TExES 232 is an exam designed to measure teaching candidates' general knowledge and proficiency for teaching social studies classes in grades 7-12 in Texas. Passing the TExES exam serves as a vital, qualifying step in becoming a certified social studies teacher for those upper-level grades within the Texas public school system.
The questions within the TExES exam are organized under seven broad content umbrellas called domains, ranging from ancient Greece to modern Texas to the difference between primary and secondary sources. It's an all-encompassing exam designed to measure general knowledge deemed essential for candidates to teach social studies in the Texas school system from grades 7-12.
The computer-based exam consists of many different types of questions, utilizing media clips, tables, passages, and graphs to put candidates to the test. Therefore, candidates should give themselves ample time to prepare for the exam, approaching test day with maximum confidence and preparation.
There are 140 multiple-choice questions on the TExES Social Studies 7-12 exam taken over four hours and forty-five minutes, giving an average of just about two minutes per question. The computer-based exam aims to evaluate applicants' knowledge in seven different key subject areas, which are listed below:
World History
U.S. History
Texas History
Geography, Culture, and the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Government and Citizenship
Economics and Science, Technology and Society
Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction
Within the exam, there are single questions and clustered questions. Single questions present a direct question or incomplete sentence, while clustered questions contain passages with two or more questions that relate to the passages. Each question is designed to quiz applicants on knowledge deemed essential for upper-grade Social Studies teachers within the Texas school system.
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To register for the TExES 232 exam, applicants must schedule an appointment with the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program (TECEP). Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis with computer-administered test (CAT) sites available within Texas and nationwide. Scores are released at 10:00 p.m. Central Time on the TExES score report dates released by TECEP.
Candidates can retake the exam if they fail, although they must wait at least 30 days after their last examination and are only allowed a maximum of five attempts. If candidates need special accommodations to take their exam, they should contact TECEP's customer support. All sites are wheelchair accessible and all candidates have access to visual enhancement features without pre-approval. Use of earplugs or noise-reducing headphones may require pre-approval at certain TExES testing centers.
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The TExES Social Studies exam measures essential knowledge for upper-grade social studies teachers within Texas. This umbrella contains a great deal of information, which is divided into seven domains on the exam, listed below:
World History
US History
Texas History
Geography, Culture, and the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Government and Citizenship
Economics and Science, Technology and Society
Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction
These domains are then further subdivided into several competencies. Let's take a closer look at each domain so candidates can be adequately prepared before taking the examination.
World History
The World History portion accounts for 15% of the entire TExES Social Studies exam and aims to test applicants' knowledge of ancient civilizations and general world history. There will be approximately 21 questions split up into four different competencies:
Ancient civilizations
600 A.D. - 1450 A.D.
1450 - 1750
1750 to present.
Here are a few sample concepts candidates will be expected to grasp within this domain of the exam:
Significant individuals and events that influenced early and classical civilizations.
The importance of the European Renaissance.
Major developments among the early civilizations of Africa.
The causes and effects of European expansion.
The impacts of the Industrial Revolution.
The aftermath of WWI and WWII.
U.S. History
The domain of U.S. History accounts for 20% of the test or 28 questions and can be split up into the following competencies:
Exploration and Colonization
Revolutionary Era and the Early Years of the Republic
Westward Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction
The United States as a World Power
Political, Economic, and Social Developments from 1877 to the Present
Here are some sample concepts within the U.S. History domain that may feature on the exam:
The causes and effects of European colonization in North America and the conflicts sustained with Native American populations.
The foundations of representative government.
Significant political and economic issues of the Revolutionary era.
The challenges faced by the early forms of government in the United States.
The effect of industrialization within the U.S.
The impact of civil rights movements in the U.S.
Texas History
This domain of Texas History will cover about 13% of the test or around 18 questions. This domain can be further divided into three distinct competencies:
Exploration and Colonization
Independence, Statehood, Civil War Reconstruction, and Aftermath
Texas in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries
Here are some sample concepts within the Texas History domain that may feature on the exam:
Significant individuals and issues that influenced the early history of Texas before U.S. statehood.
The effects of major Texas geographic features on American Indians and settlers.
How Mexico's independence shaped and impacted Texas.
The effects of Reconstruction on the economics and culture of Texas.
The impact of innovations in manufacturing and commercial agriculture on Texas in the twentieth century.
Geography, Culture, and the Behavioral and Social Sciences
This domain accounts for 13% of the exam or about 19 multiple choice questions, and can be divided into four primary competencies:
Physical Geography Concepts, Natural Processes, and Earth's Physical Features
Global and Regional Patterns of Culture and Human Geography
Interactions between Human Groups and the Physical Environment
Sociological, Anthropological, and Psychological Concepts and Processes
Let's go through some sample concepts that may feature within the Geography, Culture, and the Behavioral and Social Sciences domain of the exam:
Earth's relationship to the Sun and how this relationship impacts physical processes on Earth.
The distribution of plants and animals in different global regions.
The impact of religion on U.S. culture.
The impact of the Agricultural Revolution on human life and civilizations.
How cultures and societies change and maintain continuity.
Government and Citizenship
The Government and Citizenship domain accounts for 13% of the exam or about 18 multiple-choice questions, and it can be divided into three competencies:
Democratic Principles and Government in the United States
Citizenship and Political Processes
Types of Political Systems
Let's review some of the concepts within each of these competencies within the Government and Citizenship domain:
The beliefs and principles reflected in the U.S. constitution.
Procedures for enacting laws in the U.S.
Changes in the role of the U.S. government over time.
The impact of Constitutional amendments.
The roles played by political parties and media in the U.S. political system.
The causes and effects of major reform movements in U.S. history.
Similarities and differences between the U.S. constitutional republic and other contemporary forms of government.
Economics and Science, Technology and Society
The Economics and Science, Technology and Society domain accounts for 13% of the exam or about 19 questions. This domain can be divided into three competencies:
Economic Concepts and Types of Economic Systems
Structure and Operation of the U.S. Free Enterprise System
Science, Technology, and Society
Here are some sample concepts within the Economics and Science, Technology and Society domain that may be featured on the exam:
The significance of scarcity and opportunity costs.
The circular-flow model of the economy.
Interactions between supply and demand.
Comparisons between different types of market structures.
The rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses in the free enterprise system.
Major scientific and mathematical discoveries.
Moral and ethical issues stemming from technological innovation.
Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction
This Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction domain covers 13% of the test or about 18 questions, and can be divided into four competencies:
Sociological, Anthropological, and Psychological Concepts and Processes
Interactions between Human Groups and the Physical Environment
Global and Regional Patterns of Culture and Human Geography
Physical Geography Concepts, Natural Processes, and Earth's Physical Features
Here are some examples of concepts that may be featured within the Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction domain of the exam:
The philosophical foundations of social science.
The relationships between different social science disciplines.
The problem-solving processes that enable social scientists to evaluate the significance of problems and the effectiveness of proposed solutions.
Economic indicators that measure levels of economic activity.
How multiple points of view contribute to a three-dimensional understanding of a historical event.
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Some Texas universities offer a social studies composite program incorporating the TExES 7-12 exam. Students can attain their teaching certification while simultaneously completing the requirements of their History major. Candidates should consider whether this program makes sense for them and their schedules before signing up for the TExES Social Studies 7-12 exam.
Preparing for the TExES Exam
The TExES exam cost for Social Studies 7-12 exam is $116. Candidates can purchase an admission ticket online and schedule their exam at a nearby testing center. Applicants should consider traffic patterns and the proximity of testing locations when scheduling their TExES Social Studies 7-12 test dates.
The TExES exam passing score for the exam is 240 out of 300 possible points. The average pass rate between 2016-2017, the latest year for which data are available, was 45%. Therefore, if applicants prepare properly, reviewing their TExES 7-12 social studies study guides and other materials, they should have a good chance of passing this exam.
Applicants should bring their admission ticket and an acceptable form of government-issued I.D. such as a current driver's license or passport. Be sure to check that the name on the admission ticket is identical to the name on the valid identification.
TExES recommends that applicants bring at least two different forms of identification to the testing center to ensure they can complete their exam without a fuss. Candidates should also plan to arrive at the testing center at least twenty minutes before their exam time. If a candidate arrives late, she will not be allowed to take the test and forfeit her exam fee.
TExES Social Studies 7-12 practice tests and study guides are available online and in print (at libraries and bookstores) for applicants to refresh and ensure their comprehension of the material. Candidates should give themselves one to three months for TExES preparation, depending on their existing proficiency with the concepts. The best way to improve one's odds of success is through extensive studying and preparation.
Expert Contributor
Zenobia Denny
Zenobia Denny, M.A. has been a dedicated educator for over 10 years. She holds teaching certifications in Elementary Education, Special Education, and ESL. She has taken and passed numerous Praxis and TExES exams, including the TExES Principal Certification exam. Zenobia completed an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Walden University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Gifted and Talented.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is social studies composite?
Social Studies Composite is a program offered in some Texas universities in which teaching candidates can combine their history major with teaching certification examinations in order to be qualified to teach upper-grade social studies in Texas public schools.
How many questions are on the TExES Social Studies exam?
There are 140 multiple-choice questions on the TExES Social Studies exam, covering seven distinct key content areas. There are both single questions and clustered questions. Single questions tackle one concept at a time while clustered questions pose multiple questions revolving around a given passage or other document.
