Students seeking initial teacher certification need to satisfy certain exam requirements. Click the exam name for details:
The TSI test is designed to evaluate your critical thinking and analytical skills. The state requires that you pass the TSI* prior to beginning your field-based experience.
TSI Assessment
Score
Section
Reading
359
Mathematics
359
Writing Multiple Choice & Essay
363 with an essay of (6)
*Exemptions to taking the TSI:
SAT scores: 1070 composite score in Verbal and Math
ACT scores: 26 composite score in English and Math
Bachelor's Degree: If you have already completed a bachelor's degree, you are exempt from taking the TSI.
Although Military service provides some TSI exemptions for the purpose of college admissions, it does not provide an exemption to passing the TSI as part of the Educator Preparation Program. Veterans enrolled as undergraduates must still take the TSI unless they qualify for one of the exemptions above.
Anyone seeking certification in Texas must take the TExES Examinations of Educator Standards offered by the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) State Board for Educator Certification. The state TExES exams measure an educator's competency in their specific field and in overall education theory. To become a certified teacher in Texas, you must pass all required TExES state exams for your designated Certification field.
If you are planning to get certified, start planning early.
If you are seeking Texas teacher certification in EC-6 Core Subjects (Bilingual), the state also requires that you demonstrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in Spanish. This is in addition to the three TExES exams.