The TeXes certification exam for computer science covers three domains and nine groups of competencies that beginning teachers should know and be able to perform in the field of computer science. These competencies are aligned with the state standards for student knowledge and skills.

The test is required for teachers seeking a Computer Science 8-12 certificate.

Test Framework

The current test covers each domain equally, with 33% of questions coming from each domain.

Number of items

90 multiple-choice questions. Typically, 80 multiple-choice questions are scored and 10 multiple-choice questions are used for pilot-testing purposes and do not contribute to the examinee’s score.

Scoring

Scoring Results are reported as scaled scores in a range from 100 to 300, with a passing score of 240. The total test score is based on an examinee’s performance on the entire test. Domain and competency performance information, which is provided on the examinee’s score report, is based on an examinee’s performance on each domain and each competency.

Please note:

• Domain and competency performance information presents the number of questions answered correctly out of the total number of scorable questions appearing on the test.

• Domain and competency performance information is included to help assess an examinee’s areas of relative strength and need.

• Domain and competency performance information may be based on comparatively few test questions and may be less reliable than total test information.

Resources

For more information you may want to review:

• Current teacher competencies for computer science educators

• TeXes 141 Computer Science Test Prep Manual: http://cms.texes-ets.org/files/5413/2942/6826/141_computerSci.pdf

Proposed New Competencies

Note that a TEA is updating the teacher standards and has published them for review. The new certification 241 exam (PDF) will take effect in August 2016. There will be a version 1.1 of the course offered in the Fall that teaches to those standards, and the design team will be making efforts to find ways to make it easy to update the course. While the 141 standards group questions 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 across Domains 1, 2 & 3, The 241 Standards have the following allocation:

• Domain 1 - 12.5% - Tech Apps Core (12-13 questions)

• Domains 2 and 3 - 75% - CS Core (75 questions)

• Domain 4 - 12.5% - Special Advanced Topics (Discrete Math, Digital Forensics, Robotics, Game Design)(12-13 questions)