- TExES 236 is the Texas Education Agency's Science 7-12 certification exam, administered by Pearson.
- It has 140 selected-response questions across 4 hours 45 minutes of testing time, for a $116 fee.
- Physics and Chemistry are the heaviest domains, each worth 20% of the exam.
- A scaled score of 240 is required to pass; the 2024-2025 statewide pass rate was 63%.
What Is TExES 236 Certification?
TExES 236 refers specifically to the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) Science 7-12 (236) test. It is one of the content-area certification exams that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires for educators who want to teach science to students in grades 7 through 12 in Texas public schools. The exam is developed under TEA's oversight and delivered as a computer-based test through Pearson's testing centers.
Unlike a general teaching credential, TExES 236 is a subject-specific exam. It verifies that a candidate has the depth of science knowledge - spanning physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and space science - needed to teach across the secondary science curriculum, not just a single discipline. If you're still mapping out the basics of this credential, the overview at What Is TExES 236? and the plain-language breakdown in TExES 236 Meaning are useful starting points before you dive into domain-level prep.
Who Needs This Certification
TExES 236 is required for candidates seeking a standard Texas classroom teaching certificate in secondary science. This typically includes:
- Traditional and alternative certification program candidates pursuing a 7-12 science teaching field
- Career-changers moving into education from science-heavy backgrounds (lab work, engineering, healthcare, environmental fields)
- Out-of-state or out-of-country educators adding a Texas science certification
- Current teachers adding a science certification field to an existing credential
Before you can schedule the test, you generally need test approval through an eligible certification route - a university program, an approved alternative certification program, or another TEA-recognized pathway. Candidates pursuing certification through the Person Advanced Certification Testing (PACT) option follow a separate pre-admission process rather than standard program approval. If you're unsure which pathway applies to you, TExES 236 Requirements walks through eligibility and prerequisite details in depth.
Exam Format and Registration
TExES 236 is a computer-based test administered at Pearson-authorized testing centers. Here's what the appointment actually looks like:
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Question count | 140 selected-response questions (some forms may include unscored field-test items within that total) |
| Testing time | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| Total appointment | 5 hours, including a 15-minute tutorial and compliance agreement |
| Exam fee | $116 |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 240 |
| On-screen tools | Scientific calculator, periodic table, definitions and physical-constants reference page |
Because the appointment window includes tutorial and agreement time on top of the 4 hour 45 minute testing period, most candidates should plan for the full 5 hours away from other obligations. For a granular breakdown of fees, retake costs, and what's included, see TExES 236 Certification Cost. If you're mapping your prep timeline against registration windows, TExES 236 Exam Dates covers testing appointments and scheduling deadlines.
Key Takeaway
All 140 questions are selected-response - there's no written or performance component. This makes content mastery and pacing (roughly 2 minutes per question) the two biggest levers for passing.
The 10 Domains You'll Be Tested On
TExES 236 is organized into ten domains, weighted differently based on how much secondary science instruction they represent. Understanding these weights is the single most important step in building an efficient study plan - it tells you exactly where your study hours will pay off most.
Domain 2: Physics (20%)
Tied for the largest domain. Covers mechanics, energy, waves, electricity and magnetism, and thermodynamics at a level appropriate for teaching secondary students.
- Expect conceptual and calculation-based items using the provided scientific calculator
Domain 3: Chemistry (20%)
Also tied for the largest domain. Covers atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, and solution chemistry.
- The on-screen periodic table is a critical resource here - practice using a reference version during study
Domain 1: Scientific Inquiry and Processes (10%)
Covers the nature of science, experimental design, lab safety, and data analysis - themes that also appear embedded within other domains' questions.
Domain 8: Earth's History and the Structure and Function of Earth Systems (9%)
Geology, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and Earth's history-based evidence make up this domain.
Domains 4, 5, and 6: Cell Structure and Processes, Heredity and Evolution of Life, Diversity of Life (8% each)
Together these three biology-focused domains make up 24% of the exam - nearly as much as either Physics or Chemistry alone.
Domain 7: Interdependence of Life and Environmental Systems (6%)
Ecology, energy flow, and human impact on ecosystems.
Domain 9: Components and Properties of the Solar System and the Universe (6%)
Astronomy and space science fundamentals, often lightly covered in traditional coursework, so don't skip it.
Domain 10: Science Learning, Instruction and Assessment (5%)
Pedagogy specific to teaching science: instructional models, assessment design, and safety protocols in the classroom setting.
For a full walkthrough of every competency statement inside each domain, the dedicated guide at TExES 236 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 10 Content Areas goes far deeper than a summary can.
Passing Score and Results
TExES 236 uses a scaled scoring system, and candidates need a 240 scaled score to pass. This scaled score is not the same as a raw percentage of correct answers - TEA converts raw performance into the scaled score, which accounts for slight difficulty variations between test forms.
According to TEA's 2024-2025 statewide best-attempt report, 790 people tested and 63% passed. That pass rate reflects the breadth of content - remember, you're being tested across physics, chemistry, three biology-related domains, earth/space science, and pedagogy in a single sitting. For context on how that pass rate compares across other certification exams and what it implies about difficulty, read TExES 236 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows and How Hard Is the TExES 236 Exam?. If you want the exact mechanics of how raw answers become the 240 threshold, TExES 236 Passing Score 2026 covers that in detail.
What Happens After You Pass
Passing TExES 236 is one piece of the certification puzzle - TEA also requires completion of an approved educator preparation program and other state requirements before issuing a standard certificate. Once issued, a Texas standard classroom teaching certificate is valid for 5 years. To renew it, teachers must complete 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) during that period.
Because this exam opens the door to a specific job market - public middle and high school science teaching positions across Texas - it's worth understanding the career picture before you commit to the process. TExES 236 Jobs looks at where certified science teachers are hired, and TExES 236 Salary Guide 2026 and Is the TExES 236 Certification Worth It? weigh the long-term return on the time and fees invested in certification.
Preparing Strategically for Each Domain
Because Physics and Chemistry together make up 40% of the exam, an efficient study plan front-loads those domains rather than treating all ten equally. A simple way to sequence preparation:
Physics and Chemistry Foundations
- Review mechanics, energy, and electricity concepts
- Practice periodic trends, bonding, and stoichiometry using a reference periodic table
Biology Cluster
- Work through Cell Structure and Processes, Heredity and Evolution, and Diversity of Life together since they total 24% combined
Earth, Space, and Environmental Systems
- Cover Earth's History and Structure, the Solar System and Universe, and Interdependence of Life and Environmental Systems
Inquiry, Pedagogy, and Full Practice
- Review Scientific Inquiry and Processes and Science Learning, Instruction and Assessment
- Take full-length timed practice sessions to build pacing for the 4 hour 45 minute window
This sequencing isn't generic exam advice - it directly follows the domain weights unique to TExES 236. For a complete first-attempt study framework, including how to allocate practice questions by domain, see TExES 236 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. And when you're ready for rapid final review, TExES 236 Cheat Sheet 2026 condenses the must-know facts from all ten domains onto one page.
Practicing under realistic conditions matters as much as content review. Working through timed, full-length sets on our TExES 236 practice test platform helps you get comfortable with the on-screen calculator, periodic table, and reference page before test day, so none of the interface is a surprise when the clock is running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Passing TExES 236, combined with completing an approved educator preparation program, qualifies candidates for a Texas science teaching certification covering grades 7 through 12.
The exam includes 140 selected-response questions, with 4 hours 45 minutes of testing time inside a 5-hour appointment that also covers a tutorial and compliance agreement.
You need a scaled score of 240. TEA's 2024-2025 statewide report shows a 63% pass rate among 790 test takers.
Physics and Chemistry are the largest domains at 20% each, making them the highest-priority areas, followed closely by the combined biology domains (Cell Structure and Processes, Heredity and Evolution of Life, and Diversity of Life).
Most candidates need test approval through an eligible certification route, such as an educator preparation program. PACT candidates follow a separate pre-admission process rather than standard program approval.