# Guide to TExES EC-6 Math Core Subjects Exam

## TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Overview

Under Texas law, all educators seeking certification must pass appropriate TExES exams as designated by the Office of Educator Testing at the Texas Education Agency. Applicants intending to teach Early Childhood to Grade 6 are required to take the Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading exam, Core Subjects EC-6 (391). The exam is comprised of five separate exams:

1. English Language Arts and Reading, (901)
2. Mathematics, (902)
3. Social Studies, (903)
4. Science, (904)
5. Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education (905)

This guide will focus primarily on the TExES Math EC-6 (902) portion of the EC-6 (391) test suite.

### TExES EC-6 Math (902) Format

All subsections of the TExES EC-6 are taken as Computer-Administered Tests (CAT). The number of questions and time allotted for each subtest including the TExES Math EC-6 are as follows:

Subtest Format Allotted Time
English Language Arts and Reading 45 selected-response questions 70 minutes
Mathematics 40 selected-response questions 70 minutes
Social Studies 40 selected-response questions 50 minutes
Science 45 selected-response questions 55 minutes
Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education 40 selected-response questions 35 minutes

The five hour total time scheduled for the complete exam includes 15 minutes for a CAT tutorial and signing of compliance agreements.

Practice tests give you a better idea of the topics you have mastered and those you should keep studying.

## TExES EC-6 Math (902) Competencies

The six TExES EC-6 Math competencies are:

1. Mathematics Instruction: determines if the applicant is able to use knowledge of how students develop mathematical skills to plan and implement instruction and then to assess the learning. Candidates will apply research-based theories in developing developmentally appropriate instruction that helps students to move from concrete computations to symbolic and abstract mathematical processes and to real-world problems. The teacher candidate will need to be able to use manipulative and technological tools and a variety of instructional methods.
2. Number Concepts and Operations: examinee will use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of integers, rational and real numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. The applicant will demonstrate the use of concrete and visual tools for mastering these concepts.
3. Patterns and Algebra: candidate will use tables, graphs, and symbols in mathematical processes and demonstrate understanding of linear and algebraic concepts.
4. Geometry and Measurement: candidate will show understanding of spatial concepts and the ability to recognize and use the properties of length, perimeter, area, and volume of geometric figures. Understanding of parallel and perpendicular lines, basic figures such as triangles, circles, polygons, and units of measurement are included in this competency.
5. Probability and Statistics: candidate will demonstrate understanding of measurements of central tendency, concepts of probability, and the ability to use graphs and charts to organize statistical data.
6. Mathematical Processes: candidate will demonstrate skill with logical reasoning, alternative approaches to problem solving, reasonableness of solutions and use of estimation.

For each of these competencies in the TExES Math EC-6, the candidate will need to understand how to assess the student's level of competency, to apply all mathematical process to real-world and financial applications, and to show knowledge of important figures in the development of mathematics including from a wide variety of nationalities and cultures.

## TExES EC-6 Math (902) Registration

The TExES EC-6 exams are given by the outside vendor, Pearson, that will require a TEA ID number for TExES exam registration. This number is obtained from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by first creating a TEAL user account from the TEA website. The applicants can then register and pay for the exam from the Pearson website.

The candidate will need to provide a permanent email address, create a password and set up a security question. The candidate can then register for the exam needed and schedule a test appointment.

Exam fees will also be paid at registration. If taking all six subtests, the fee is $116, while just one subject exam taken separately is$58. There is an additional fee for rescheduling a test date. Payment must be made using a VISA or MasterCard or with a debit or check card.

Candidates with disabilities or health-related needs can request alternative testing arrangements. All testing sites are wheelchair accessible, but any other needed accommodations must be requested in advance by submitting an Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form along with required supporting documentation.

## TExES EC-6 Math (902) Testing Policy

Candidates should plan to arrive at their TExES Math EC-6 testing center at least 15 minutes early. They will be required to present two pieces of original and current identification that must be printed in English showing the name exactly as registered. The ID must include a photograph and signature.

Testing sites do not allow smoking of any kind, visitors, or weapons of any kind. All personal items will be stored in lockers outside of the testing room (like wallets, purses, watches, cell phones, any electronic devices, printed materials, or unauthorized medical devices).

Test takers arriving more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted. Registrants who are absent for any reason will need to register and pay for the exam again, as no refunds or credits will be available for absentees. Fees will be transferred to a new test date if the test center is closed for any reason, forcing the candidate to reschedule.

## Interpreting TExES EC-6 Math (902) Scores

Exam scores range from 100 to 300 on each of the subtests with a required minimum passing score of 240 on each exam, including the TExES Math EC-6. TExES exam results can be accessed from the examinee's TEA account. An overall status of Passed or Not Passed will be shown. To earn a status of Pass, the candidate must achieve the minimum passing score on each of the six subtests.

In addition to the overall status and scaled scores on each exam, the score report will show the number of correctly answered questions for each domain and competency. TExES score report dates are designated for each exam date, and results can be seen on the candidate's TEA account at 10:00 p.m. central time on those dates. Results will also be emailed if requested at registration. Exam results are automatically provided to the TEA and to the educator preparation program.

## TExES EC-6 Math (902) Study Guides & Practice Tests

Some general tips on how to study for the TExES content exam include becoming familiar with the content to assess one's own areas of weakness and focusing more intensely on those. Collect any helpful study materials, create a study plan and study schedule, or even join a study group.

The TEA website has sample questions to review for each type of test, with 15 sample questions for the Mathematics subtest. Each question is followed by the correct answer, a brief discussion of why that answer is correct and an analysis of how the candidate could have determined that the other answers were incorrect.

There are also study guides and preparation courses that can be purchased to assist in preparing for the TExES exams. A helpful step in studying for the TExES EC-6 Math competencies, in particular, is taking TExES practice test. Taken early, these TExES Core Subjects EC-6 math practice questions will help the candidate determine particular areas of weakness for greater concentration or those areas where little or no further study is needed.

## Expert Contributor

### Zenobia Denny

Zenobia Denny, M.A. has been a dedicated educator for over 10 years. She holds teaching certifications in Elementary Education, Special Education, and ESL. She has taken and passed numerous Praxis and TExES exams, including the TExES Principal Certification exam. Zenobia completed an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Walden University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Gifted and Talented.

## Frequently Asked Questions

• ##### How many math competencies are there?

There are six math competencies on the TExES Core Subjects EC-6 Math Exam. The competencies are: Mathematics Instruction, Number Concepts and Operation, Patterns and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, Probability and Statistics, and Mathematical Processes.

• ##### What does EC-6 core subjects mean?

The TExES Core Subjects EC-6 Exam assesses a candidates knowledge to see if they are ready and capable of teaching early childhood to sixth grade in the state of Texas. The core subjects that are tested are the following:

• English Language Arts, Reading, and the Science of Teaching Reading
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science
• Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education

## Take a Practice Test Online

### Exam Instructions:

Complete the practice test below to test your knowledge.
Choose your answers below. Complete the 15 questions then click "See Results."

## You have answered 0 out of 15 correctly.

The correct answers are highlighted with green below.

1. What are the solutions for the following quadratic equation?

{eq}8 - 3x^2 = 2 {/eq}

2. What is the variance of the following data set?

{eq}\large{6, 6, 11, 8, 9, 12} {/eq}

3. In a normal distribution, what is the relationship among the mean, median, and mode?

4. What modeling relationship is used in observed relationships where random variables are incorporated?

5. A family is playing a board game on Friday night and they are taking turns rolling a 12-sided die. At the end of one game, Carl must roll a 6 to win, and Stef must roll a 3 or a 7 to win. Are the events of Carl winning and Stef winning equally likely?
6. 81 is 9% of what number?

7. A grocery store is selling 3 cans of soup for {eq}\$4 {/eq}. How much will it cost to purchase 15 cans of soup?

8. Which of the following is the most appropriate unit for measuring the time it takes a coin to fall from a three-story building?

9. A car travels for {eq}3~hours {/eq} at an average speed of {eq}46~\frac{mi}{hr} {/eq}. What is the distance traveled by the car?

10. Mr. Carter is teaching his students how to round numbers. He asked them to round 1, 782 to the nearest hundreds. What should be the correct answer?

11. What number property is demonstrated in the equation below:

$$(a+b)+c = a+(b+c)$$

12. Which of the following fractions has the greatest magnitude?