TExES EC-6 (391) & STR (293): Complete Exam Resource Guide

TExES EC-6 (391) Exam Overview

The TExES EC-6 (391) has a 5-hour test window, with 4 hours and 45 minutes of active response time across five independent subtests.

Testing Time Breakdown

• ELAR (901): 70 Minutes | 45 Questions
• Math (902): 70 Minutes | 40 Questions
• Social Studies (903): 50 Minutes | 40 Questions
• Science (904): 55 Minutes | 45 Questions
• Fine Arts, Health, and PE (905): 35 Minutes | 40 Questions

Note: Subject timers are independent. Time does not roll over between subtests.

TExES STR (293) Exam Overview

The Science of Teaching Reading (293) exam tests your knowledge of how reading develops and how to support all learners in becoming proficient readers. It is required for all EC-6 certification candidates in Texas.

Exam Domains

• Domain I: Reading Pedagogy (13%) — Foundational knowledge of scientifically based reading research, TEKS for ELAR, and principles of effective reading instruction.
• Domain II: Reading Development: Foundational Skills (43%) — Phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, fluency, and vocabulary development.
• Domain III: Reading Development: Comprehension (24%) — Reading comprehension strategies for literary and informational texts, assessment, and differentiated instruction.
• Domain IV: Analysis and Response (20%) — Analyzing student reading data and applying research-based instructional strategies. This is the domain most closely tied to the CRQ.

The Constructed Response Question (CRQ)

The STR (293) includes 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question. The CRQ contributes to your overall scaled score — you receive one combined score for the exam, not separate scores for each section. Most test-takers are underprepared for the CRQ. A strong response demonstrates your ability to analyze student reading data and recommend research-based instructional strategies with clear justification.

The Passing Score Guide

EC-6 (391): Each of the five subtests must be passed individually with a scaled score of 240 or higher. There is no combined average — you must meet the 240 threshold on every subtest to pass the overall EC-6 exam. Scores range from 100 to 300.

STR (293): Passing requires an overall scaled score of 240 or higher. The constructed-response question contributes to your overall scaled score alongside the selected-response questions. You receive one combined score for the exam.

• EC-6 Retakes: You can retake individual subject exams rather than the full EC-6 if you have already passed some subtests. Confirm current retake rules on the official Texas Educator Certification Testing site.
• Waiting Period: Current policy requires a waiting period between attempts. Always confirm the most up-to-date retake policies on the official Texas Educator Certification Testing site before registering.

The Texas Teacher Salary Guide

Teacher pay in Texas is determined by individual school districts, not a single statewide salary. Most districts, especially in urban areas, offer compensation significantly above the state minimum.

• Pay is commonly influenced by district location, size, and years of experience.
• High-need certifications like Bilingual or Special Education often receive annual stipends as determined by the district's current pay scale.
• Passing both the EC-6 (391) and STR (293) is required to earn your Standard EC-6 Certificate in Texas. From there, salary is determined by your district's pay scale, years of experience, and any applicable stipends.

The Texas Alternative Certification Roadmap

If you hold a bachelor's degree, you can become certified through an Educator Preparation Program (EPP):

• 1. Apply to an EPP: Generally requires a completed degree and a 2.5 to 2.75 GPA, depending on the program.
• 2. Pass Content Exams: Pass both the TExES EC-6 (391) and STR (293) and meet your EPP's requirements to receive a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) for a teaching internship.
• 3. Observation: Complete required field-based observation hours, typically 30 hours.
• 4. Internship: Complete a full-year paid teaching internship as a Teacher of Record or a Clinical Teaching assignment.
• 5. Standard Certificate: Passing both the EC-6 (391) and the STR (293) is required to earn your Standard EC-6 Certificate in Texas.

Mastering the ELPS for TExES EC-6 (391)

Texas uses the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) to guide instruction for English learners. Understanding how to support students at different proficiency levels is tested on the EC-6 (391) ELAR subtest. The following is a simplified overview of the core proficiency descriptors commonly referenced on the exam. Always refer to the current official ELPS framework from TEA for the complete and up-to-date proficiency level descriptions.

• Beginning: Little or no ability to understand or use English in academic settings. Relies on gestures and visuals.
• Intermediate: Can understand and use simple, high-frequency English. Struggles with abstract academic language.
• Advanced: Can engage in grade-level academic instruction with second-language acquisition support.
• Advanced High: Nearly comparable to native speakers. Requires minimal linguistic support to engage in grade-level work.

Note: The current Texas ELPS framework may reference additional proficiency level descriptors. Review the official TEA ELPS documentation to ensure your preparation reflects the most current standards.

Strategies for Success

For the EC-6 (391)

The EC-6 tests your ability to choose responses that align with TEKS-aligned, student-centered instruction.

• Test-World Thinking: Favor student-centered, active learning over passive teacher-led instruction.
• Elimination Method: Identify the specific TEA competency being tested to remove distractors.
• No Penalty for Guessing: Your score is based only on correct answers. Never leave a question blank before the timer expires.

For the STR (293)

The STR requires both content knowledge and the ability to apply research-based reading instruction strategies.

• Know the Science of Reading: Questions are rooted in structured literacy and the five pillars of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• CRQ Preparation: Practice analyzing student reading samples and writing structured responses that identify the reading challenge, cite evidence, and recommend a specific instructional strategy with justification.
• Distinguish Similar Concepts: The exam frequently tests your ability to differentiate between closely related terms such as phonemic awareness vs. phonological awareness, and decoding vs. sight word recognition.