TExES 233 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows

What the TEA Pass Rate Data Actually Shows

The Texas Education Agency publishes annual pass-rate reports for every TExES exam, and the numbers for TExES History 7-12 (233) during the 2024-2025 program year tell a clear story: 63% of candidates passed on their first attempt, and that figure climbs to 69% when best-attempt scores across the testing population (N=686) are counted. That gap between first-attempt and best-attempt rates matters - it means a meaningful share of candidates who fail their first sitting do pass on a later attempt, which is exactly what the exam's attempt and retake rules are designed to accommodate.

Compared to many other TExES content-area exams, these numbers place History 7-12 (233) on the harder end of the spectrum. A single-digit-to-teens percentage of candidates who don't pass on attempt one, combined with an exam that spans world history, U.S. history, Texas history, and instructional pedagogy in one sitting, explains why preparation timelines matter more here than they do for narrower certification tests.

Why TExES 233 Ranks Among the Harder Content Exams

Difficulty on a certification exam isn't just about how much content exists - it's about how that content is distributed and tested. TExES 233 draws from 22 competencies spread across four domains, all aligned to History 7-12 Standards I-X and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). That's a wide net: a candidate might answer a question on Mesopotamian river valley civilizations, then immediately face one on Reconstruction-era Texas legislation, then pivot to a pedagogy question about scaffolding primary source analysis for eighth graders.

This breadth is the single biggest reason the pass rate sits where it does. Unlike exams that test a single subject in depth, TExES 233 requires candidates to maintain working recall across four centuries and four continents simultaneously, while also demonstrating instructional competence. For a full breakdown of what makes this exam uniquely demanding, see how hard the TExES 233 exam really is.

Domain Weighting and Where Points Get Lost

The exam's four domains are not weighted evenly, and the pass-rate data becomes more meaningful once you see how points are distributed. Domain II, U.S. History, accounts for 36% of the exam - by far the largest share - covering everything from exploration and colonization through the Revolutionary era, westward expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of the United States as a world power, developments from 1877 to the present, and the geography, government, citizenship, economics, and science-and-technology strands woven through U.S. history.

Because Domain II alone represents more than a third of scored content, candidates who underinvest in U.S. history preparation - even while excelling in world or Texas history - are statistically more likely to fall short of the 240 cut score. A full domain-by-domain walkthrough, including specific competency statements, is available in the complete guide to all four content areas.

*Estimates based on domain percentages applied to the 100 total selected-response questions; some questions are unscored field-test items and don't count toward the final score.

Scoring Mechanics: Turning Raw Points Into a 240

Understanding the scoring model helps explain why the pass rate isn't higher. TExES 233 reports scores on a 100-300 scale, and under 19 TAC 151.1001 the exam carries 80 total raw points, with an average raw cut score of 48. That means candidates aren't simply trying to answer "most" of 100 questions correctly - they're working within a raw-to-scaled conversion where roughly 60% of available raw points, on average, translates to the passing threshold of 240.

It's also worth remembering that not every one of the 100 selected-response questions counts. Some are unscored field-test items used to evaluate future exam content, meaning your actual scored performance is based on fewer questions than the total you'll see on screen. This is one reason candidates sometimes misjudge their own performance - a rough patch on what feels like several difficult questions may include items that never factor into the final score at all. For a granular look at exactly how the cut score is calculated, read the passing score breakdown.

Attempts, Retakes, and the 30-Day Rule

The 63%-to-69% jump between first-attempt and best-attempt pass rates only makes sense in light of Texas's retake policy. Candidates are allowed up to five attempts at TExES 233, with a mandatory 30-day waiting period between each sitting. Anyone who needs a sixth attempt must request a test-limit waiver directly from TEA - it isn't automatic.

This structure rewards candidates who treat a first failed attempt as diagnostic rather than final. A 30-day gap is enough time to review score reports, identify which domain dragged the overall score down, and re-target study accordingly before the next appointment. Candidates weighing whether to retake immediately or wait should also factor in registration validity: a testing appointment window is valid for 170 days, and withdrawing from a scheduled appointment results in a refund equal to the exam fee minus a $25 processing charge.

Registration, Fees, and Appointment Logistics

TExES 233 is developed and administered by Pearson (Evaluation Systems) on behalf of TEA and the State Board for Educator Certification, delivered as a computer-administered test at Pearson VUE centers throughout Texas and nationwide, by appointment, year-round. The exam fee is a flat $116 with no discount or membership tiers.

Total appointment time runs five hours: 15 minutes for the CAT tutorial and compliance agreement, plus 4 hours and 45 minutes of actual testing time for the 100 selected-response questions. Candidates must be approved to test either through an educator preparation program or directly by TEA, and earning a first Texas classroom certificate also requires passing the PPR EC-12 (160) pedagogy exam alongside TExES 233. Once certified, standard Texas certificates remain valid for five years and renew through ECOS with 150 CPE clock hours for classroom teachers. Full eligibility and prerequisite details are covered in the TExES 233 requirements guide, and current testing windows are outlined separately if you're planning around specific dates.

A Domain-Aligned Study Timeline

Generic study advice - flashcards, spaced repetition, timed drills - only works if it's applied against the exam's actual weight distribution. Given that Domain II (U.S. History) alone is worth 36%, it deserves proportionally more calendar time than any other single domain, followed by Domain I (World History) at 30%, Domain III (Texas History) at 20%, and Domain IV (Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction) at 14%.

For a complete week-by-week study framework built specifically around this exam's format and question style, see the TExES 233 study guide. Running full-length timed practice sessions on a practice test platform before test day also helps you get comfortable with the pacing required to finish 100 questions inside 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Who's Hiring TExES 233-Certified Teachers

Passing TExES 233 is the content-certification step toward becoming a secondary social studies teacher in Texas public schools. Texas school districts hiring for grades 7-12 history, government, economics, and social studies positions require this certificate (combined with PPR EC-12 for a first certificate) as a condition of classroom employment. Because the certificate is administered through ECOS and tied to a five-year renewal cycle requiring 150 CPE clock hours, it's a credential districts can verify instantly once your score posts.

If you're evaluating whether the investment of exam fees, prep time, and renewal requirements pays off relative to job opportunities and long-term classroom placement, that broader cost-benefit picture is explored in the certification cost breakdown. Reviewing current job postings alongside your study plan can also help you prioritize which grade bands or subject specializations to emphasize while you're still preparing.

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