Test Results and Score Reporting

Test Scores and Passing Standards

TExES and ExCET test results are reported using a total test scaled score as follows:

Your results for each TExES test are reported as a score in the range of 100-300, with a total test scaled score of 240 as the minimum passing score.
Your results for each ExCET test are reported as a score in the range of 0-100, with a total test scaled score of 70 as the minimum passing score.

The multiple-choice section of the test is scored based on the number of questions you answered correctly.

No points are subtracted for questions answered incorrectly.
Even if you are uncertain about the answer to a question, it is better to guess than not to respond at all.

Your total test scaled score shows how you performed on the test as a whole and whether you passed the test. Scaled scores are used to allow for comparison of scores on the same content-area test taken on different administration dates. Scaled scores also allow for comparison across test fields. Minimum passing standards for the tests were established by SBEC with input from committees of Texas educators. For both the TExES and ExCET tests, the minimum passing score represents the minimum level of competency required to be an entry-level educator in Texas public schools in the field in which you tested.

NOTE: Your test may include some questions that do not count toward your score. These are new questions that are being tried out in actual test administrations in order to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions.

For more information about your scores, see Understanding Your Texas Educator Certification Program Test Scores.

Reporting Your Test Scores

Your score report will be available to you via your ETS testing account. It will provide information about your passing status and other performance information. Also provided is an explanation of how to read your score report. (See Test Scores and Passing Standards for information on the passing requirements for TExES and ExCET tests.)

Score reports for paper-based tests are posted by 5:00 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Score reports for computer-administered tests (except for BTLPT - Spanish) are posted weekly. Scores for BTLPT - Spanish are posted within 20 business days of the test date. (See Score Reporting Dates.) Scores are viewable for 90 days.

NOTE: The unofficial end-of-test score report issued at computer-administered test centers is no longer offered. This report indicated the number of questions answered correctly and served as proof that an examinee had taken a TExES computer-administered test. It did not indicate the examinee's scaled score or passing status and was not intended to be an official report of final scores.

Your scores are automatically added to your certification file and made available to TEA and to your EPP (if applicable). Your score report is for your information only; do not submit it with your application for certification. Under no circumstances will ETS or TEA release your score information by phone, fax, e-mail, or in person.

Paper score reports are no longer mailed. It is suggested that you print a copy of your online score report for your permanent records.

NOTE: Application for certification does not proceed automatically based upon receipt of your scores by TEA. To apply for certification, you must go to the SBEC website and follow the application for certification instructions.

Delay of Test Scores

Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed.

Scores for newly developed tests may be delayed in order to set passing scores.
Scores may be delayed due to problems with registration, failure to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in the Registration Bulletin, and/or with instructions given by test center personnel.
Scores will be delayed if there are problems with your payment. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for more information.
Your scores may be permanently voided if you are completing certification requirements through an EPP and you have not provided proof that you have approval to test (i.e., a TEA ID number from your EPP). See Approval to Test for more information.

Score Reporting Dates

Paper-Based Tests

Test Date	Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*	Score Reporting Date Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**
11/8/2008	12/1/2008	12/8/2008
1/31/2009	2/23/2009	3/2/2009
4/4/2009	4/27/2009	5/4/2009
6/27/2009	7/20/2009	7/27/2009
8/29/09	9/21/09	9/28/09

*Scores for the new TExES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.
**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille)

Computer-Administered Tests

Score reports for computer-administered tests other than BTLPT - Spanish are posted weekly. If you are not able to view your score report within seven days of your test date, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Scores for BTLPT - Spanish will be posted within 20 business days of your test date..

Scoring Services

Score Verification
Score verification is available for all paper-based TExES and ExCET tests and for the written and spoken response sections only of the computer-administered BTLPT - Spanish (194) test. Score verification is not available for any other computer-administered TExES tests.

All multiple-choice answer sheets are scored by computer. If you accurately follow all directions and mark your answer sheet properly, the scoring process is virtually error free. However, if you wish, you may request a review of your paper answer sheet.

All written, spoken, and brailled responses are scored according to standardized procedures. Scorers with relevant professional backgrounds are thoroughly trained and carefully monitored during scoring sessions. However, as with the multiple-choice responses, you may have the written response section of TExES English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 (131) or the brailled response section of TExES Braille (183) verified.

Score verification can be requested through your ETS testing account or by completing the Score Verification Request form and mailing it to the address on the form with the correct payment. Requests are limited to a one-time score verification for any one test. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for information about payment. Your request must be submitted online or postmarked within six months of the score report date.

The results of the score verification process for tests that contain only multiple-choice questions will be available within two to three weeks after receipt of the request and payment. Results for tests that contain a written, spoken, and/or brailled responses will be available within four to six weeks after receipt of the request and payment.

In the event that the score verification process results in a change in your score, you will be notified, the score verification fee will be refunded, and a corrected score report will be posted to your ETS testing account and transmitted to TEA. If the original score is confirmed, you will be notified and your fee will not be refunded.

Cancellation of Test Scores by You

Paper-Based Tests
After taking a test, if you decide that you do not want your scores reported, you may submit a request to cancel them. The TExES or ExCET program will cancel your scores upon receipt of a completed Score Cancellation form. This form is available at test centers and can also be downloaded from this website.

Your Score Cancellation form must be received within five business days of the date on which you took the test. If you choose to cancel your scores, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.

If you request that your scores be canceled, they will not be reported to you, to TEA, or to any EPP. Your scores will not be entered into any TExES or ExCET records; therefore, after the cancellation of your scores, you will not be able to have your scores reported for any purpose.

Computer-Administered Tests
At the end of a computer-administered test, you are given the option of reporting or canceling your scores for that session. If you choose to have your scores reported, they will become part of your record and will be reported to you, to TEA, and to your EPP (if applicable). Once you choose to report your scores, they cannot be canceled. If you choose to cancel your scores, they will not be reported, and they cannot be reinstated. You will not receive a refund if you cancel your scores. If you would like to retake the test via computer after canceling your scores, you must wait at least 60 days.

Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and TEA

ETS takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering TExES and ExCET tests and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, TEA reserves the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if TEA deems there is reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the Test Center Procedures and Regulations, and the procedures communicated to you orally or in writing at the test center).

In such cases, ETS will notify relevant parties of TEA's decision. Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in Test Center Procedures and Regulations may be taken as deemed appropriate by TEA and/or ETS

Testing Irregularities
"Testing irregularities" refers to test administration problems that may affect an individual or groups of test takers, including without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials, and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters or other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test or cancel the test score at TEA's discretion. When, in TEA's sole judgment it is appropriate to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as reasonably possible without charge.

Identification Discrepancies
When, in ETS's judgment or the judgment of test center personnel, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center, and/or ETS may decline to score that test or may cancel that test score.

Misconduct
When ETS or test center personnel find that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center, and/or ETS may decline to score the test or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with the Test Center Procedures and Regulations.

Invalid Scores
ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, unusual answer patterns, and inconsistent performance on different parts of the test. Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses ETS's concerns, considers any such information submitted, and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest, or allowing TEA to make a decision whether to accept the scores.

Confidentiality of Information

All test materials are the property of ETS; however, TEA and ETS recognize your right to control the information about you that is stored by them. Their policies are designed to safeguard that information from unauthorized disclosure.

Your score information is intended only for you and your EPP (if applicable). However, background information, as noted during the registration process, is reported to the state of Texas and some institutions.

ETS will not release your scores at the request of institutions or agencies except:

for use in research studies, scoring, and statistical analyses approved by TEA and that preserve your anonymity
when information is required under compulsion of legal processes (Your score record and the documents you completed that are retained at ETS may be released to 3rd parties, e.g., government agencies, parties to a lawsuit, etc., if requested pursuant to a subpoena.)
Under the Higher Education Act Title II section 207 of 1998, the U.S. Department of Education requires all states that require testing for licensure to provide that agency with annual performance data for students completing their state-approved teacher preparation programs. If you complete your preparation program in a given cohort year, your preparing institution will collect and forward your score information to the state for inclusion in the federally mandated educator preparation performance report. The report will contain aggregate data only, and will not include any information that identifies examinees.

Note that whenever ETS has confirmed that you have submitted a TExES or ExCET score directly to an educational institution, agency, or district in satisfaction of one of its requirements, ETS will respond to requests for score verification from that recipient.

ExCET - Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas