Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT)

What are Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT)?

Significant changes to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §227.10 (a)(3)(C) were approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) on October 10, 2008. The new rule, which went into effect on December 14, 2008, allows degreed individuals who have never been admitted to an SBEC-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to take Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) to demonstrate content proficiency for possible admission into an EPP in Texas. Taking PACT does not ensure admittance into a program. EPPs may have additional admission requirements.

Please keep in mind that specific content tests may be required to show Highly Qualified status for placement purposes. Please refer to TEA's No Child Left Behind office for updated guidance on Highly Qualified requirements.

Who Can Take PACT?

Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and have never been admitted to an SBEC-approved EPP can register to take a content test for purposes of admission into the following types of EPPs:

  • alternative certification programs
  • university alternative certification programs
  • university post baccalaureate programs (without content courses)

Who Can't Take PACT?

  • Educators who have already been formally admitted into an EPP
  • Educators seeking a certification other than classroom teacher (Educational Diagnostician, Principal, Reading Specialist, School Counselor, School Librarian, Superintendent, Master Teacher)
  • Educators seeking a certification with specific skill and experience requirements (Health Science Technology, Marketing)
  • Educators who want to take Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) examinations
  • Undergraduates seeking initial teacher certification
  • Educators holding teaching credentials in another state, U.S. territory or country

Which Tests Can't Be Taken Under PACT?

Candidates in programs seeking certifications other than classroom teacher or certifications with specific skill and experience requirements still need test approval from their EPPs.

  • Educational Diagnostician
  • Health Science Technology
  • Marketing
  • Principal
  • Reading Specialist
  • School Counselor
  • School Librarian
  • Superintendent
  • All Master Teacher certification tests

PACT Testing in States Other Than Texas

Candidates who live outside the state of Texas, but wish to take PACT for the purpose of entering an EPP in Texas, can test under the PACT program. If they live in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Puerto Rico and Mexico, they can test under the TExES PACT program if the test they require is offered.

In all other areas, the following Praxis II® tests can be taken under the PACT program.

  • Biology Content Knowledge (0235)
  • Chemistry: Content Knowledge (0245)
  • Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge (0353)
  • English Language, Literature & Composition: Content Knowledge (0041)
  • General Science: Content Knowledge ((0435)
  • Mathematics: Content Knowledge (0061)
  • Middle School English Language Arts (0049)
  • Middle School Mathematics (0069)
  • Middle School Science (0439)
  • Middle School Social Studies (0089)

How to Register

Texas PACT

PACT candidates testing through the TExES program can register through their testing account in the online registration system unless they do not have a Social Security Number (SSN). If that is the case, they need to contact EPPAdmin@ets.org and request that a PACT profile with a "P" SSN be created.

Further registration instructions, including what information candidates without SSNs should include when requesting a PACT profile with a "P" SSN, are in the flyer Information for Candidates Regarding Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) (PDF).

Praxis Tests
Registration for a Praxis test for the purpose of being admitted into an Educator Preparation Program in Texas must be done through the Praxis online registration system. Registration by mail is not available for Praxis PACT candidates. See the flyer Taking Texas Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) Through the Praxis™ Program (PDF).

PACT Scores

Texas PACT

  • Paper score reports are not sent to test takers.
  • PACT test takers can view their score reports through their testing accounts on this website. Scores are posted on the score reporting dates listed in the Registration Bulletins and on this website. Scores are viewable for 90 days; after that time, test takers can view scores through their Educator Profiles on the TEA website.
  • EPPs can view scores in the Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP).

Praxis Tests

Further Information and Resources

If candidates have been admitted into an EPP, they should contact their program for more information. If candidates have not been admitted into an EPP, they may contact TEA at 512-936-8400. The following publications should also be helpful.