So you’re taking the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 (211) exam and you’re asking some of the following questions:
- Where do I find a free practice test?
- An exam breakdown?
- How do I register for the test?
Those are all great questions, and you’ve found the right place to get them answered!
My name is Kayman McIver, and at Best in Class we’re here to help you get familiar with everything you need to know about the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 (211) exam.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Video Overviews
For a quick look at a few TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Practice questions, check out this video:
Don’t let the math portion of the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 overwhelm you! Take a look at the following videos for a quick refresher on some math topics that may appear on the exam. (Keep in mind that the exam also covers higher level concepts, but this is a great starting point!)
First Thing to Know
The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, or TExES, tests are used to ensure that teachers are prepared with the necessary knowledge to teach certain subjects. All certified teachers in Texas must take and pass one of these tests, which are tied to the subjects or areas in which they teach.
The CORE Subjects 4-8 exam is designed for teachers who will teach upper elementary or middle school students. This certification allows a teacher to provide instruction in math, English, social studies, science, or any combination of these classes.
The identification number for the CORE Subjects 4-8 exam is 211. Each TExES exam has a specific number attached to it for record keeping purposes. This allows the state to keep track of different tests that sometimes have similar names. For example, there is also a CORE Subjects EC-6 exam, which is similar in name to the CORE Subjects 4-8 exam, but they each have their own assigned number.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Exam Breakdown
The CORE Subjects 4-8 exam is made up of four subtests: ELA, math, social studies, and science. This means you must pass each individual subtest in order to pass the entire TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 exam.
| Test | Number of Questions | Time Given |
| English / Language Arts | 74 | 1 hour and 55 minutes |
| Math | 42 | 1 hour and 5 minutes |
| Social Studies | 42 | 50 minutes |
| Science | 42 | 50 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 4 hours and 40 minutes |
The first time you take the test, all four subjects must be tested. If you fail one, two, or three sections, you may register and retake those sections after a 45-day waiting period. If all four subjects are failed, they must all be tested again at the same time.
What is a TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Passing Score
To pass the CORE Subjects 4-8 exam, you must score 240 out of 300, or 80%. On each test, there are field questions that do not count toward the final score, and some questions are weighted more heavily. It’s impossible to know how much any particular question is worth, but if you shoot for getting at least 70% of the questions correct, you will most likely pass.
How to Register for the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Exam
New to Teaching?
If you’re new to teaching, you must first get approval from the state of Texas to sit for an exam. In Texas, the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) helps prepare you for teaching if you have a college degree in something other than education. Once you have completed an approved Educator Preparation Program, administrators will notify the state, which then approves you to take the exam. If you’re looking for an alternative certification program, check out the link below. I used one of the programs on the list and have been teaching for 13 years now!
Five Best Alternative Certification Programs in Texas
Once you’ve been approved to take the test, registering is fairly simple.
- Create an account on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program site.
- You will need to provide your TEA number, which will be assigned by your certification program.
- Click on “Register” on the right side of the page.
- On the next page, a drop-down menu will appear that includes all the tests you’re eligible to take. You’ll determine which tests you wish to take with your EPP.
- Answer the questions that follow and submit your payment.
- After making payment, you’ll see a button on the bottom right of the screen that says “Proceed to Scheduling.”
- Choose a date, time, and location to take your test.
- Save the registration in case you need it on the day of the test. This is not likely, but make sure you can access it just in case.
Already Certified?
- Log in to the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program: Register – tx.nesinc.com
- Click on “Register” on the right side of the page.
- On the next page, a drop-down menu will appear that includes all of the tests you’re eligible to take. You’ll determine which tests you wish to take with your EPP.
- Answer the questions that follow and submit your payment.
- After making payment, you’ll see a button on the bottom right of the screen that says “Proceed to Scheduling.”
- Choose a date, time, and location to take your test.
- Save the registration in case you need it the day of the test. This is not likely, but make sure you can access in case it’s needed.
Once you pass the exam, you’re qualified to teach TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 in the state of Texas!
Yay!
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Free Practice Test
So you’re taking the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 and you want to know if you’ll pass.
And if you’re worried that you won’t pass, you really want to know what you need to study.
Well, you’re in the right place. We’re going to tell you about the best practice tests for the CORE Subjects 4-8.
Best Free Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: English Language Arts and the Science of Teaching Reading
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: Mathematics
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: Science
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects EC-6: Social Studies
240 Tutoring has been helping teachers pass their exams since 2011. They offer a completely free online practice test for each subtest of the CORE Subjects 4-8 exam. Each practice test will give you a free score breakdown, so you can see exactly what you need to study.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Paid Practice Test
Best Paid Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: English Language Arts and the Science of Teaching Reading
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: Mathematics
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: Science
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects EC-6: Social Studies
240 Tutoring also offers a full length practice test that comes with their paid study guide. The CORE Subjects 4-8 study guide also includes more than 1,000 questions, 388 pages of content, and loads of helpful flash cards. So while we’ve listed it as a paid practice test, it includes a lot of added features.
Best of all? The study guide comes with a money-back guarantee that you’ll pass the test.
BONUS: 240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of the CORE Subjects 4-8 exam study guides, including the four subtests, for just one monthly price of $39.99. So subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all the study guides.
Runner-Up for Practice Test
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Preparation Materials
The runner-up for best free practice test comes from the state itself. There are 68 free questions and explanations for the correct answers, but it’s not interactive. It also does not provide a diagnostic report, so you’ll need to determine your strengths and weaknesses on your own.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Preparation Materials (scroll to page 60)
Honorable Mention
Study.com
Honorable mention goes to Study.com, which offers a free interactive practice exam with instant feedback. However, it includes only 15 questions, so you won’t be able to get a full idea of what to expect.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Free Study Guide
So you’re taking the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 exam and searching for study guides.
With so many options available, it can be hard to know which study guides are the most helpful and reliable.
Luckily you’ve come to the right place. We are going to tell you about the best study guides for the TExES CORE Subjects 4-8.
Best Free Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Ultimate Guide
The free Ultimate Guide hits all of the highlights and identifies concepts that are commonly found on the test. This is a great introduction to all that you need to know and allows you to see some of the material you’ll receive with the paid study guide. This is a great starting point as you prepare.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 Paid Study Guide
Best Paid Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: English Language Arts and the Science of Teaching Reading
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: Mathematics
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects 4-8: Science
240 Tutoring’s CORE Subjects EC-6: Social Studies
240 Tutoring also offers a full comprehensive study guide. The CORE Subjects 4-8 study guide includes more than 1,000 questions, 388 pages of content, and loads of helpful flash cards.
The study guide also comes with a money-back guarantee that you’ll pass the test.
BONUS: 240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of the CORE Subjects 4-8 study guides, including the four subtests, for just one monthly price of $39.99. So simply subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all the study guides.
Runner-Up for Study Guide
Study.com
The runner-up for the best study guide can be found at Study.com. The site includes instructional videos, flash cards, and practice questions, but doesn’t break the exam down into subject-specific areas.
BONUS: The videos are listed individually, so you can visit the specific ones needed.
TExES CORE Subjects 4-8 (211): Practice & Study Guide Course
Honorable Mention
Mometrix TExES Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide has everything you need to study, plus many, many extras. It offers classroom management strategies, tips for working with parents, and other things that are not directly related to the exam. All of this is helpful, but for now, you just need to focus on getting ready for the test! This study guide is only available as a printed book or ebook, which may not be for everyone.
Kayman McIver has been teaching for 13 years. She has a master’s degree in education and loves teaching. She has taught all ability levels, from special education to highly gifted students, in kindergarten through 9th grade. She is thrilled to help talented people like you join the world of education.
Recommended articles:
The Ultimate Overview of the CORE Subjects 4-8
Your Ultimate Guide to TExES Registration
Do You Know Which TExES Exams You Need to Take?
Everything You Need to Know About TExES Scores
The Ultimate Guide To Prepare For The TExES