About The Test

About TOPT

The Texas Oral Proficiency Test™ (TOPT™) program is an extension of and an addition to the TExES and ExCET programs for certification to teach either Spanish or French, or to teach in a Spanish or French bilingual setting.

  • The TOPT is required if you plan to teach either Spanish or French or plan to teach in a bilingual setting.
  • The TOPT assesses your ability to speak Spanish or French.
  • The TOPT requires you to provide a recorded response to specific speaking tasks in order to demonstrate your proficiency in Spanish or French.
  • During the testing session, you will respond on audiotape to questions that allow you to demonstrate your speaking ability in Spanish or French. The test session lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Part of this time is for orientation and completing forms.
  • Your proficiency in speaking the language will be measured against an established standard of competence.
  • To pass the TOPT, you must receive a score of 6 or higher based on the combination of scores received from a minimum of two independent scorings of your response.
  • Preparation strategies and additional information can be found under "Preparing for the TOPT" in the Registration Bulletin.

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What's New in 2008-09?

New Tests
When a new test is introduced, there is a grace period of one year during which both the new test and the test it will replace are offered. After that initial year, the new test will be required for certification in that field.

First offered in Early 2009

No longer offered after August 2010

Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) - Spanish (190)

TOPT - Spanish (081)

TExES Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) - Spanish
The TExES Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) - Spanish will be offered for the first time in early 2009. It will be offered only via computer during one week administration windows at various times throughout the year. BTLPT - Spanish will replace the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) - Spanish (081) after August 2010. During the time that both tests are offered, if you are testing under the Certification by Examination option, you can choose which test you want to take. Educator Preparation Programs will determine which test should be taken by their candidates via the test approval process. Beginning in September 2010, educators seeking the Bilingual Education certification in Spanish will be required to take the BTLPT - Spanish. The test is designed to measure four domains:

  • Listening
  • Speaking in Spanish
  • Reading
  • Writing

The Writing section of BTLPT - Spanish requires you to enter written responses on the computer. An alternate character toolbar for inputting Spanish accents and characters is built into the test. A tutorial for using this toolbar will allow you to practice using the toolbar prior to taking the test. You are strongly urged to take the tutorial. The test preparation manual for BTLPT - Spanish will be available for download in late 2008.

Online Admission Tickets and Score Reports
Beginning with the 2008-09 testing year, paper admission tickets and score reports will no longer be mailed. Test takers will print admission tickets from their testing accounts on this website.

Score reports will only be available online. Score reports for paper-based tests will be posted by 5:00 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Score reports for computer-administered tests (except for BTLPT - Spanish) will be posted weekly.

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.

Score Report Reprints Discontinued
Beginning with the 2008-09 testing year, the score report reprint service that has been offered in the past will no longer be available. You will be able to print your score report from your testing account on this website for a 90-day period from the time scores are posted. You are strongly urged to print a copy for your records. After the 90-day period, you will be able to view your final score from your account on the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us, but you will not be able to print a score report from that site nor will you be able to order a score report from TEA.

Individual Administration with Examiner
If you are registering for a TOPT - Spanish or French test, you will no longer have the option to choose between a Standard Administration and the Individual Administration with Examiner. Beginning with the 2008-09 testing year, only the Standard Administration will be offered. In the Standard Administration, you will hear the entire test, including the test directions, from an audio recording.

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Registration Bulletin

The Registration Bulletin is a free publication that contains program information, test dates, contact information, and registration procedures.

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Fees for Tests and Related Services

Test Fees
$120 Test fee (per test)
$35 Late registration fee*
$75 Emergency registration fee*
*Late and emergency registration fees are nonrefundable

Additional Services
$15 Test, test center, test date, or test session change during regular or late registration period
$75 Test, test center, test date, or test sesssion change during emergency registration period
$70 TOPT score verification
$135 Expanded Diagnostic Feedback Service
$20 Fee for returned check

Payment

  • Online and phone payments can be made by credit or debit card (American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, and VISA®). Any debit/check card branded with one of the above four accepted credit card logos can be processed.
  • Information about payments sent by mail is on the form for the service you are requesting.

Payment Policies

  • All fees are stated in U.S. dollars.
  • All outstanding balances with ETS must be paid in full prior to registering for any ETS-administered tests.
  • All payments must be for the full amount.
  • If you do not have sufficient credit or funds in your account, your scores will be withheld, you will be unable to register for additional tests, and an additional service fee of $20 will be added to your account. You will receive your scores as soon as the total outstanding balance has been cleared, unless your scores are being withheld for any other reason.
  • Services may be withheld for nonpayment of fees.
  • Refunds of test fees will be made in U.S. dollar denominations.
  • There are no refunds for service fees.
  • Additional policies for payments sent by mail are on the form for the service you are requesting.

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