Test Results and Score Reporting

Test Scores and Passing Standards

Test results for the TExMaT tests are reported as a total test scaled score on a scale from 100 to 300. Your total test scaled score shows how you performed on the test as a whole and whether you passed the test. Scaled scores represent your performance on a scale that is common to all forms of the test.

To pass the MMT and MST tests, you must attain a total test scaled score of at least 240.
To pass the MRT test, you must attain a total test scaled score of at at least 240 and a score of 3 or more on the case study assignment. If you receive a score of less than 3 on the case study assignment, you will not receive a scaled score above 239 and will not pass the test, regardless of how many multiple-choice questions you answered correctly.
To pass the MTT test, you must attain a total test scaled score of 240.

The multiple-choice section of the test is scored based on the number of questions you answer correctly.

No points are subtracted for questions answered incorrectly.
Even if you are uncertain about the answer to a question, it is better to guess than not to respond at all.

Case study assignment responses are scored on a scale from 1 to 4. Performance assessment responses are scored on a scale from 1 to 3. Each response is evaluated independently by a minimum of two scorers with expertise in reading, mathematics, science or technology instruction. All scorers have successfully completed standardized orientation and are calibrated to the scoring criteria throughout the scoring session. A full description of the scoring criteria may be found in the Preparation Manual for the test you are taking. Preparation manuals may also be obtained from your Master Teacher preparation program or from ETS.

Reporting Your Test Scores

Your score report will be available to you via your ETS testing account. It will provide information about your passing status and other performance information. Also provided is an explanation of how to read your score report. (See Test Scores and Passing Standards for information on the passing requirements for TExMaT tests.)

Score reports for the paper-based MRT, MMT and MST tests are posted by 5 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Score reports for the computer-administered MTT test are posted within two to four weeks of the test date. Scores are viewable for 90 days.

Your scores are automatically added to your certification file and made available to TEA and to your EPP. Your score report is for your information only; do not submit it with your application for certification. Under no circumstances will ETS or TEA release your score information by phone, fax, e-mail or in person.

Paper score reports are not mailed. It is suggested that you print a copy of your online score report for your permanent records.

NOTE: Application for certification does not proceed automatically based upon receipt of your scores by TEA. To apply for certification, you must go to the SBEC website and follow the application for certification instructions.

Interpreting Your Test Scores

Your total test scaled score shows how you performed on the test as a whole and whether you passed the test. Scaled scores are used to allow for comparison of scores across different versions of the test. For an explanation of the reporting and interpretation of scores on various tests, see Understanding Your Texas Educator Certification Program Test Scores (PDF). Further data about total scores for many of the Texas tests is available in Summary Statistics for Total Scores (PDF).

NOTE: Your test may include some questions that do not count toward your score. These are new questions that are being tried out in actual test administrations in order to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions.

Delay of Test Scores

Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed.

Scores for newly developed tests may be delayed in order to set passing scores.
Scores may be delayed due to problems with registration, failure to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in the Registration Bulletin and/or instructions given by test center personnel.
Scores will be delayed if there are problems with your payment. See Fees for Tests and Related Services for more information.
Your scores may be permanently voided if you are completing certification requirements through an Educator Preparation Program and you have not provided proof that you have approval to test (i.e., a TEA ID number from your Educator Preparation Program). See Approval to Test for more information.

Score Reporting Dates

Paper-Based MRT, MMT, MST Tests

Test Date	Score Reporting Date
10/31/09	11/30/09
4/17/10	5/17/10

Computer-Administered MTT Test
Score reports for the computer-administered MTT test are generally posted within two to four weeks of the test date. If you are not able to view your score report within 28 days of your test date, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626.

Scoring Services

Score Verification
Score verification is available for all paper-based MRT, MMT and MST tests and for the case study and performance-based part of the computer-administered MTT test.

All multiple-choice answer sheets for the MRT, MMT and MST tests are scored by computer. If you accurately follow all directions and mark your answer sheet properly, the scoring process is virtually error free. However, if you wish, you may request a review of your paper answer sheet. Score verification for the multiple-choice section of the computer-administered MTT test is not available.

Each case study assignment is evaluated independently by scorers with expertise in reading, mathematics, science or technology instruction. All scorers have successfully completed standardized orientation and are calibrated to the scoring criteria throughout the session. However, as with the multiple-choice section, if you wish to have your case study response reevaluated, you may request a review of your response. The fee for reviewing your MRT, MMT and MST case study assignment is $35.

If you wish to have your complete MRT, MMT or MST test reevaluated, you may request a review of both the multiple-choice section and the case study assignment section. The fee for reviewing your complete MRT, MMT or MST test is $60.

For the MTT test, you may request score verification for the case study and the performance-based part of the test. The fee for reviewing these sections is $70.

Score verification services can be requested through your testing account or by completing the Score Verification Request form (PDF) and mailing it to the address on the form with the correct payment. Requests are limited to a one-time score verification of any one test. (See Fees for Tests and Related Services for information about payment.) Your request must be submitted online or received within three months of the score reporting date.

The results of the score verification process for tests that consist only of multiple-choice responses will be available within two to three weeks after receipt of the request and payment. Results for tests that contain written or spoken responses will be available within four to six weeks after receipt of the request and payment.

In the event that the score verification process results in a change in your score, you will be notified, the score verification fee will be refunded and a corrected score report will be posted to your ETS testing account and transmitted to TEA. If the original score is confirmed, you will notified and your fee will not be refunded.

Cancellation of Test Scores by You

MRT, MMT, and MST Tests
After taking a test, if you decide that you do not want your scores reported, you may submit a request to cancel them. The TExMaT program will cancel your scores upon receipt of a completed Score Cancellation form (PDF). This form is also available at test centers.

Your Score Cancellation form must be received within five business days of the date on which you took the test. If you choose to cancel your scores, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.

If you request that your scores be canceled, they will not be reported to you, to TEA or to any EPP. Your scores will not be entered into any TExMaT records; therefore, after the cancellation of your scores, you will not be able to have your scores reported for any purpose.

Computer-Administered MTT Test
At the end of the entire MTT test, you are given the option of reporting or canceling your scores for that session. If you choose to have your scores reported, they will be reported to you, to TEA and to your EPP and will become part of your record. Once you choose to report your scores, they cannot be canceled. If you choose to cancel your scores, they will not be reported and they cannot be reinstated. You will not receive a refund if you cancel your scores. Because the MTT test is a computer-administered test, if you would like to retake it after canceling your scores, you must wait at least 60 days.

Cancellation of Test Scores by ETS and the TEA

ETS takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering TExMaT tests and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, TEA reserves the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if TEA deems there is a reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the Test Center Procedures and Regulations and the procedures communicated to you, orally or in writing, at the test administration). In such cases, ETS will notify relevant parties of TEA's decision.

Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in Test Center Procedures and Regulations may be taken as deemed appropriate by TEA and/or ETS.

Testing Irregularities
"Testing irregularities" refers to test administration problems that may affect an individual or groups of test takers, including without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters or other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test or cancel the test score at TEA's discretion. When, in TEA's sole judgment, it is appropriate to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as reasonably possible without charge.

Identification Discrepancies
When, in ETS's judgment, or the judgment of test center personnel, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score the test or may cancel that test score if the documents completed on test day cannot be authenticated. If scores are canceled, test fees are forfeited.

Misconduct
When ETS or test center personnel find that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score the test or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. If scores are canceled, test fees are forfeited. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with the Test Center Procedures and Regulations.

Invalid Scores
ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, unusual answer patterns and inconsistent performance on different parts of the test. Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses ETS's concerns, considers any such information submitted and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest or allowing TEA to make a decision whether to accept the scores.

Confidentiality of Information

TEA and ETS recognize your right to control the information about you that is stored by them. Their policies are designed to safeguard that information from unauthorized disclosure.

Your score information is intended only for you and for your Educator Preparation Program. However, background information as noted during registration is reported to the state of Texas and some institutions.

ETS will not release your score information at the request of institutions or agencies except:

for use in research studies, scoring and statistical analyses approved by the TEA and that preserve your anonymity
when information is required under compulsion of legal processes (Your score record and the documents you completed that are retained at ETS may be released to third parties, e.g., government agencies, parties to a lawsuit, etc., if requested pursuant to a subpoena.)
Under the Higher Education Act Title II section 207 of 1998, the U.S. Department of Education requires all states that require testing for licensure to provide that agency with annual performance data for students completing their state-approved teacher preparation programs. If you complete your preparation program in a given cohort year, your preparing institution will collect and forward your score information to the state for inclusion in the federally mandated educator preparation performance report. The report will contain aggregate data only and will not include any information that identifies examinees.

Note that whenever ETS has confirmed that you have submitted a TExMaT score directly to an educational institution, agency or district in satisfaction of one of its requirements, ETS will respond to requests for score verification from that recipient.

ExCET - Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas