TExES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test (STR 293)
Original STR questions on phonics, fluency and comprehension, plus the written assignment with a model response.
In Scarborough’s Reading Rope, which strand belongs to word recognition rather than language comprehension?
150 original TExES STR questions with explanations · 4 free drills: every domain plus a mixed set · 90 questions in the full practice test, on the real 4-hour-45-minute clock
TExES STR exam format
Practice Science of Teaching Reading (293) with original questions on reading pedagogy and assessment, phonological awareness, phonics, morphology, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The full practice test follows the real format: 90 selected-response questions and one constructed-response assignment about a student’s reading data, on the 4-hour-45-minute clock, with a model response to compare against.
Science of Teaching Reading (293). Required in Texas for Core Subjects EC–6 and the other certificates TEA lists, alongside the content exam. It covers reading instruction from prekindergarten through grade 6.
- Questions
- 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response assignment
- Testing time
- 4 hours 45 minutes (5-hour appointment including a 15-minute tutorial)
- Answer choices
- 4 on single-answer questions
- Fee
- $136
- Passing score
- 240 on a scale of 100 to 300
- Delivery
- Computer-administered test (CAT) by appointment, year round, at Pearson VUE test centers in Texas and nationwide
- Score scale
- Scaled scores from 100 to 300; the passing score is 240. Only scored questions count, and an exam may include unscored questions being tried out for future use
- Retakes
- Wait 30 days after an attempt. You are limited to five attempts at a certification exam (the first and four retakes); candidates in a preparation program need its approval to retest
- Score reporting
- Scores post at 10:00 p.m. Central time on the published score report dates
What’s on the TExES STR
The domains in the TEA exam framework, with the approximate share of the exam for each. Our practice test draws its 90 questions in the same proportions across the selected-response domains, then gives the constructed-response assignment. Every domain has a guide and a free ten-question drill with an explanation after every answer; each drill’s first attempt is free.
| Domain | Share of exam | Guide | Drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading PedagogyDomain I: Reading Pedagogy | 13% | Topics and questions | 10-question drill |
| Foundational SkillsDomain II: Reading Development: Foundational Skills | 43% | Topics and questions | 10-question drill |
| Reading ComprehensionDomain III: Reading Development: Comprehension | 24% | Topics and questions | 10-question drill |
| Analysis and ResponseDomain IV | 20% | One constructed response in the full practice test, with a model response | |
What the TExES STR tests
- Domain I, Reading Pedagogy (13%): the science of teaching reading and reading assessment.
- Domain II, Foundational Skills (43%): oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, print concepts, phonics, syllabication and morphology, and fluency.
- Domain III, Comprehension (24%): vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and literary and informational texts.
- Domain IV, Analysis and Response (20%): one constructed response. You analyze one student’s assessment exhibits, name a foundational-skills need and a comprehension need with evidence, and describe and justify an instructional strategy for each, in about 400–600 words.
Practice for a 240
90 questions and the written assignment on the real 4-hour-45-minute clock, with a score by domain, an explanation for every answer and a model constructed response.
Or start with a free 10-question drillHow to take the TExES STR
- Confirm which TExES exams your certificate requires. If you are in an educator preparation program, it approves you to test.
- Register with Pearson on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website for Science of Teaching Reading (293) and pay the fee ($136). Choose a test center and an appointment.
- Prepare with the 3 domains above: Reading Pedagogy; Foundational Skills; Reading Comprehension.
- Sit the exam: 90 selected-response questions and one constructed-response assignment, 4 hours 45 minutes.
- Scores post at 10:00 p.m. Central time on the score report date. If you need to retake, wait 30 days; each certification exam allows five attempts in total.
Common questions
How many questions are on the TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293)?
90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question. The appointment is 5 hours: 15 minutes for the tutorial and compliance agreement and 4 hours 45 minutes of testing.
What is the STR constructed response?
You get tabbed exhibits about one student, such as a word-reading assessment, a recorded passage reading, fluency data and a comprehension assessment. You write about 400–600 words that identify one foundational reading need and one comprehension need, cite evidence from the exhibits, describe an effective strategy for each need and explain why each would work. It is scored on a 4-point scale for completion, application of content and support.
How much does the TExES STR cost?
The registration fee is $136. Additional fees may apply.
What score do you need to pass the TExES STR?
240 on a scale of 100 to 300. TEA does not publish how many questions you must answer correctly; the scaled score comes from the scored questions only.
How soon can I retake the TExES STR?
You must wait 30 days after your attempt, and you can register only after the earlier result has posted. Every certification exam is limited to five attempts in total, and candidates in an educator preparation program need the program’s approval to retest.
Are these official TExES questions?
No. TEA and Pearson do not release live exam questions. These are original practice questions written to the competencies in the official TExES exam framework, in the exam’s own question formats, with an explanation for every answer.
Ready for test day?
90 questions and the written assignment on the real 4-hour-45-minute clock, with a score by domain, an explanation for every answer and a model constructed response.
Or start with a free 10-question drillMore TExES practice
One TExES pass covers every practice test and drill below.
Exam formats, frameworks, fees, retake rules and passing scores checked November 2026 on the Texas Education Agency’s and Pearson’s TExES pages: Pearson TExES: Science of Teaching Reading (293) test page · TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293) preparation manual, Section 3: exam framework · TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293) preparation manual, Section 4: sample questions · TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293) preparation manual, Section 5: sample constructed response and score scale · Pearson TExES: Retake Policy · Pearson TExES: sample score report (scale 100–300, passing 240).
TExES is a trademark of the Texas Education Agency. Original independent practice questions written to the published TExES exam frameworks; not affiliated with or endorsed by the Texas Education Agency or Pearson.