Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Texas Exams of Educator Standards (TExES)

Everyone seeking teacher certification in Texas must take and pass at least two certification exams, one in Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) and one in the content field and level in which certification is sought (i.e. 8-12 Math, 4-8 Science, etc.). TWU’s MAT program is designed to prepare our students to successfully pass their certification exams. These tests are called the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, or TExES exams.

Typically, MAT students should take their content TExES during their first semester in the program. This is because a person’s results on that test guide the advisor in determining the classes, and how many hours, the student will need to take in his/her content field. The PPR test is usually taken later in the student’s program. TWU does have practice tests students take to determine if they are ready to take the actual exam. The following requirements also pertain to certification testing for MAT students:

• Completion of the TWU Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) qualifying exam with a score of 75 or above (or passing of the actual PPR exam) is required before a student can student teach.
• Passing scores on the content area specialization TExES or a score of 75 or above on the TWU qualifying exam for the content area specialization is required before a student can student teach (students doing an internship at the EC-12 or 8-12 levels can substitute 24 hours in their content field for this requirement).
• Both the actual PPR TExES and the actual content TExES must be successfully passed before a student can be recommended for certification by TWU.
• Passing scores on all TExES tests must be included in the Professional Portfolio required for graduation.

TWU does provide some workshops on preparing for the TExES exams. Contact the Student Support Office regarding workshops as well as other information on TExES guidelines, policies and procedures.