How to Prepare for the TExES PPR Exam: Study Guide & Test-Taking Tips

TExES PPR exam preparation is crucial. The PPR is designed to assess if a teacher candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge an entry-level educator needs to succeed in a Texas public school. All Texas teaching candidates must pass it to qualify for certification.

The TExES PPR exam is a 5-hour computer-based test. 

•    Time: 5-hours (4h. 45m. Exam testing time, 15m CAT. tutorial & compliance agreement)
•    Number of questions: 100
•    Format of questions: Multiple-choice

The TExES PPR exam covers four domains:

1.    Designing Instruction and Assessment to Promote Student Learning, 34%.
2.    Creating a Positive, Productive Classroom Environment, 13%.
3.    Implementing Effective, Responsive Instruction and Assessment, 33%. 
4.    Fulfilling Professional Roles and Responsibilities, 20%.

Texas candidates need a 240 to pass the TExES PPR exam. Scores are based on the number of correct answers. 

Incorrect answers do not cost you points. Therefore, making your best guess is better than leaving a question blank. 

Candidates who don’t achieve a 240 or higher can retake the exam after 30 days. However, they must reregister for the exam and pay the fee.

Creating a study plan provides a structured roadmap to successfully preparing for your PPR exam. Here are some tips to get you started.

Gather the study resources you want to use for your PPR preparation. Recommended resources include: 

•    Official TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (160) Preparation Manual
•    TExES Pedagogy & Professional Responsibilities Boot Camp
•    Study groups, in-person or online.
•    Webinars.
•    Flashcards, digital or physical.
•    YouTube videos.
•    University and education department websites. 
•    Libraries.
•    One-on-one tutoring. 
•    Practice tests and quizzes

Get out your calendar and see how much time you have to devote to studying each week. If you have lots of spare time, you can begin preparing three to five weeks before an exam. If your schedule is very full, you may need to begin a few months in advance.

Mark the dates, times, and length of each study session on your calendar or study app. Schedule more than you think you’ll need to allow for unexpected delays, such as getting sick or needing to work overtime.

Each study session should have a purpose, such as going through Part I of your boot camp. Also, set goals for yourself to work towards. There should be short-term ones, such as daily and weekly, and long-term ones.

Three common challenges when taking a test are:

•    Time management
•    Understanding tricky question wording
•    Managing test-taking anxiety

Overcoming these common challenges is possible with the right strategies.

Time management is a crucial strategy for exam success. Here are some tips to help you navigate your exam efficiently. 

•    Answer the easy questions first. Don’t know the answer within 25 seconds? Mark it to come back later.
•    Go through the exam a second time. Again, limit your time on the question to around 25 seconds. 
•    Save the most difficult questions for the final round. If the answer isn’t apparent, quickly cross out the obviously wrong options. Then, just take your best educated guess. Remember: the PPR doesn’t penalize for wrong answers. Any answered question has a chance of being right. However, any question you fail to answer has a 100% chance of being marked incorrect.

Exam questions can sometimes contain tricky wording. Here are a few tips on how to navigate them:

•    Mark them to come back later. These questions eat up time and could prevent you from finishing the exam. 
•    Look at the answers and eliminate any that are outliers or irrelevant.
•    Look for answers that contain PPR key vocabulary.  
•    Try rephrasing the question in your own words. 
•    For long and complicated questions, break them up into manageable pieces.

Test-taking strategies need to be practiced. Knowing time-management strategies is one thing; using them successfully is another. The only way to improve your test-taking time management or ability to navigate tricky questions is to take as many practice tests and quizzes as possible. 

Practice tests and quizzes have other benefits, including:

•    Familiarize yourself with the testing format. 
•    Raise your confidence in working under pressure. 
•    Identifying your strengths and areas for improvement.

After you’ve completed a practice test, use the data gleaned to revise your study plan. Spend less time on your strengths and focus on the weakest areas. The exercise will ensure you are using your study time efficiently.  

It is normal to experience some test-taking anxiety or to feel nervous before and during exams. Many techniques exist to manage these emotions before and during the test. 

•    Practice breathing techniques: Although breathing is automatic, some people tend to hold their breath or breathe shallowly when tense, anxious, or feeling under threat. If you are one of those people, focus on your awareness of your breath while preparing for the exam. Also, look into classes and breathing exercises, or use an app to help you learn to breathe steadily even when tense. Deep, steady breathing will relax you and make it easier to think clearly and stay focused. 
•    Take practice tests: We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again—practice tests and quizzes are essential preparation tools. The more you take, the more familiar test-taking becomes, raising your confidence and reducing your anxiety.
•    Eat breakfast: Skipping breakfast might sound like a good idea if you are anxious or nervous. But researchers have found that those who eat breakfast have lower levels of test anxiety than those who skip it. Not sure what to eat? The BBC has an article with excellent meal suggestions composed of complex carbs and protein. 

Practice Question 1: A middle school science teacher notices that a student’s grades are a little lower than usual since the class began a chemistry unit. To best facilitate communication with the student’s parents, the teacher should…

a)    encourage the student to discuss the issue with the parents.
b)    wait for the parents to initiate contact about a concern.
c)    include a note to the parents in the next progress report.
d)    call the parents as soon as possible regarding the matter.

Practice Question 2: A teacher is interested in learning more about meeting the needs of gifted students. The district the teacher works in is not currently offering any new classes on the topic. Which of the following will best address the teacher’s professional development needs?

a)    The state department of education
b)    The superintendent’s office
c)   The school district’s board of trustees
d)    The nearest regional education service center

Practice Question 3: A teacher is planning a lesson that integrates the use of the Internet at school, but some students do not have parental permission to access the Internet. Which of the following should the teacher do to best accommodate the students?

a)    Open the Internet page for the students so they can read along with the rest of the class
b)    Allow the students to practice skills by using other computer programs without accessing the internet
c)    Persuade parents to change their decision and give permission for their children to use the Internet at school
d)    Provide an alternative activity for the students that covers the same material the class is learning

Practice Question 4: A teacher gives the class an assignment and describes the proper procedures for gathering the necessary supplies and for returning the supplies to their proper place after using them. A primary purpose of describing the procedures is to…

a)    establish high expectations for the students.
b)    develop students’ higher-order thinking skills.
c)    promote students’ organizational skills.
d)    provide opportunities for student socialization.

Practice question 1 answer and breakdown: Answer (D) is correct because it is an action that is direct and promptly addresses the matter. Option (B) is incorrect because it puts the responsibility on the parents, who may be unaware of the issue. Option (C) is incorrect because the action isn’t timely and risks creating a more serious issue.

Practice question 2 answer and breakdown: Answer (D) is correct because the regional education service center provides resources and professional development opportunities. Option (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect as they are not the correct sources for professional development opportunities. 

Practice question 3 answer and breakdown: Answer (D) is correct because it allows the student to learn the same material as the rest of the class. Option (A) is incorrect because it still provides access to internet information without parental permission. Option (B) is incorrect because it does not support the lesson objectives and may be considered busy work. Option (C) is incorrect because it undermines parental rights.

Practice question 4 answer and breakdown: Answer (C) is correct because the lesson is specifically about organizing supplies. Option (A) is incorrect because it is not the lesson's objective. Option (B) is incorrect because the teacher is explaining the instructions at a basic level. Option (D) is incorrect because socialization is not part of the task.

To make your exam day go as smoothly as possible, ensure you do the following in the final runup:

•    Go to your Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website account and confirm your test date, time, and location.
•    Take the Pearson Professional Centers Virtual Tour.
•    Take the Computer-Administered Testing Tutorial.
•    Review TExES exam policies. 
•    Ensure you have TWO pieces of original, valid, and current ID (no photocopies or digital copies) that contain your name, photograph, and signature. See exam policies for further details.

Your final week of studying should be focused on targeting your weakest areas and taking practice tests. Your general reviewing, including reading chapters, should be done. 

Remember key terminology using notes and flashcards. If you are struggling with a concept, try teaching it to someone else, even if that “somebody” is your goldfish. 

Lastly, take practice tests. 

Oh, and take some practice tests. 

And one more thing: take practice tests. 

Practice tests are the best way to become familiar with the format, sharpen your test-taking strategies, and master recalling knowledge under pressure.

Candidates need to bring very little to the test center on exam day. The essential items include:

•    Two pieces of ID that meet the TExES exam requirements.
•    Copy of your test ticket/registration.
  
  

Should you need to bring any prohibited materials, they must be stored in a locker at the exam center while you take your test. These include:

•    Cell phone.
•    Watch.
•    Wallet.
•    Backpack.
•    Hat.
•    Food and drink.  
  
  

Some items are banned from the testing center and are not even allowed in a locker. These items must stay in the car or remain at home:

•    Tobacco products.
•    Weapons.
  
  

Also, no visitors, including partners and children, are allowed in the test center. If somebody drove you to the testing center, they must wait elsewhere. There is no waiting room. If you are a nursing parent, you must contact the testing center in advance and make special arrangements. 

Proper preparation is key to passing the TExES Pedagogy & Professional Responsibilities (160). Gather quality resources, create a study plan, follow through, and take many practice quizzes and tests. 

Want to boost your chances of success? Contact us! The Learning Liaisons have helped many candidates master their exams by providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies. So don’t wait. Start preparing for success today.