Frequently Asked Questions about PACT

 

PACT is an acronym for Pre-Admission Content Test.  Texas requires teachers to pass a content exam to demonstrate mastery of their content level prior to certification.  The TPC program requires most certification areas to take a PACT as part of the application process.

 

You must have at least a bachelor’s degree before you are allowed to take the PACT.
If you have not graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree, you may apply to our program at the beginning of the semester you graduate. You will not be required to take the PACT as part of the application process. You will take the TExES later if you are accepted.

 

TExES is an acronym for Texas Examination of Educator Standards. TExES and PACT refer to the same content exams.  A TExES exam is called PACT if it is taken as part of the application process.  If you have already been accepted into an alternative program, or plan to take additional exams after you have become a certified teacher, the exams are referred to as TExES. 

 

The PBT is a Paper-Based Test and the CAT is a Computer Administered Test.  Some certification area tests are offered as both CAT and PBT. When possible, take the CAT because the scores are usually available within 5 - 6 days, while it takes approximately 30 days for the PBT scores to be delivered.  You will see either CAT or PBT after the test name when you register. 

 

Currently, the PBT is offered 4 times a year for all exams. It is offered fewer times each year as more CATs become available. CATs are offered 6 days each week of the year.

Click here for a schedule of the upcoming Paper Based Tests.

 

There is not a PACT for the following certifications:

Family and Consumer Sciences
Health Science Technology
Hospitality, Nutrition, and Food Science
Marketing
Trades and Industrial Education

If accepted into the program based on coursework, licensure, and/or work experience, test approval will be given after acceptance.

 

Certain Secondary subject areas may allow acceptance into the program prior to taking an exam. View specific requirements for each certification area on the Certification Areas webpage.

 

Important Note: Exemption from a Pre-AdmissionContent Test (PACT) does not exempt participants from passing a state-required exam or exams prior to certification

 

Click here for instructions to register for a PACT

Click here if you are ready to register for a PACT.

 

ETS recommends that you log in to your account the day before you are scheduled to take a test to verify that all the information on your ticket is correct.

 

You are allowed 5 hours.

 

A mininimum score of 240 out of a possible 300.

 

You must wait 60 days between each test type to retest.  You do not need to send scores to us if you failed the test.

 

No, TPC does not automatically receive PACT scores from ETS. You must send us a copy of your score report. Be sure to save your score report as a PDF to your computer since your report will only be available on ETS for 90 days.

 

Attach the pdf document saved from ETS to an email addressed to Sarah.Worthington@region10.org or Sharyn.Grace@region10.org.
Or, you may fax the score report to 972.348.1493.

 

ETS provides preparation manuals free of charge for the certification area exams they offer.

 

Region 10 offers fee-based reviews and practice tests to the general public for most certification areas.

 

You may also wish to conduct an Internet search for review materials available from outside vendors. 
Be sure to order review materials specifically for TExES.