TExES 242

It is a computer-administered test (CAT) with 100 selected-response questions. You get 15 minutes for the CAT tutorial and compliance agreement and 4 hours and 45 minutes of testing time, inside a 5-hour total appointment. Appointments are offered year round on a first-come, first-served basis at CAT sites in Texas and nationwide.

The passing score is 240. Scores are released at 10:00 p.m. Central time on the published score report dates, so check the schedule before you book so you know when to expect your result and can plan a retake if needed.

The exam fee is $116. Additional fees may apply depending on your registration circumstances, so review the payment information on the program website before registering. You also pay the exam fee again each time you register to retake the test.

An exam can be retaken after 30 days. You cannot register until results from your last attempt have posted; once they post, the first available appointment date is 30 days from the prior attempt's exam date. If you are affiliated with an educator preparation program, you must request your program's approval to retest.

You are limited to five attempts, meaning the first attempt plus four retakes. If you register again after a fifth attempt, scores will not count toward certification and you assume responsibility for the fees paid. Beyond five attempts you need a test-limit waiver approved by the Texas Education Agency.

Possibly. Exams may include questions that are evaluated for future administrations and do not affect a candidate's score. Because you cannot identify them, treat every question as scored and give each one your full attention rather than rushing through items that seem unfamiliar.

Start with the official preparation manual to confirm the current domain structure and weighting, then sequence study from the areas you know least to those you know best. Rotate across all content areas weekly instead of finishing one completely, because the exam mixes concepts, citizenship, instruction, and leadership within a single session.

Two patterns. First, memorizing definitions instead of practicing application, which fails on scenario items about classroom integration and campus decisions. Second, underestimating the leadership and professional development material, which asks how you would plan, model, coach, and evaluate technology use rather than how you would operate a specific tool.

Work them under timed conditions in sets that mirror the real pacing, then review every miss and every lucky guess to find the underlying gap. Track which content area each miss belongs to, and revisit the standard or concept behind it before moving on. Accuracy plus a written rationale beats volume alone.