History 7-12
Study & Test Strategies

Strategy 1

Submitted by Jacqualyn Simmons

Study Strategy

I used the Cirrus study guide along with Pass The Texas Examination for Grades 7-12. I felt confident, but during the test I realized the information I studied was not extensive enough in comparison to the questions on the test. I relied on prior knowledge from previous history courses and applied the process of elimination. I would recommend using an older version of history study guides. After testing, I went home and looked through some of the history guides in my personal library and noticed the questions on the test reflected some of the practice questions from older history study guides. If you manage to get your hands on one, pay very close attention to the specific details used to explain the historical eras. It is very detailed and the answer choices on the test are similar to the explanations provided in the older study guides. I passed on my first attempt!

Testing Strategy

The test was not hard at all. I do recommend taking time to read the questions carefully and apply the process of elimination. Any questions you are unsure of use the marking feature and continue working at a steady pace. Then, if time allows go back and review the questions you are unsure of.

Strategy 2

Submitted by Ben

Study Strategy

I gave myself just over a week to study, which required some serious cramming. I'm originally Canadian, so I had large gaps in my knowledge of US History and pretty much no knowledge of Texas History. My knowledge of World History was decent, with the exception of Chinese History. For Texas History, I went to a used bookstore and found a book that provided a fairly succinct overview of the main points (Texas: A Modern History by David McComb). It largely did the trick. I took notes to distill the knowledge further and then compared the notes with the TExES study guide's domains and competencies and researched what the book left out. I used the Texas State Historical Association website (https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook) to fill in the blanks. For US History, I relied mainly on Keith Hughes' YouTube playlist of videos on the topic (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCErKU CncCyBgEdxWAtrj5hg). The quality varies and there can be overlap, but they provided a good high level overview of a number of topics. Again, I took notes and compared them to the TExES study guide and then looked at Wikipedia to skim through articles on what was not covered. As for World History, I brushed up using more of Hughes' videos and Wikipedia articles, concentrating more on Mesopotamia, China and Mesoamerica. I did not buy any study guides, paying only for the Texas History book and chipping in a donation to Keith Hughes. It ended up being sufficient, especially combined with the TExES free study guide.

Testing Strategy

The test I found to be fairly tolerable. The questions were well-written and the choice of answers fair. If I bumped up against one, it was usually due to my ignorance and not vague wording. I was nervous at first because I was 'marking' a lot of questions to revisit later, but when I went back to them and read them more carefully the answer often became obvious. If I could go back and tell myself what to study more in depth, I would say the colonial years of US History, and to a point, Chinese History. I wish I had reviewed my Texas History notes a little more before the test as well. Basically the World History questions are high level, which is to say, cover the broader, major points and you'll be alright. The US, and to a lesser extent, Texas History questions went into much finer detail. There were also some general questions about teaching history, but these required more common sense than study. I took an hour and forty minutes to complete the test and scored a 277, which feels about right. If I had given myself another couple of days and concentrated on US and Texas History, I would have done better.

Strategy 3

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

After reading some of the other comments on here concerning the History exams I was a bit nervous. I bought the passthetexes, but it was not as helpful as I hoped it would be. I studied full force for about a week, watched all of the crash course videos, and purchased the Barron's AP world and U.S. history flash cards as well as pulled all my college textbooks from Texas history.

Testing Strategy

The exam was about what I expected and I used the "mark" feature, which helps! Make sure you fully read the question and understand what it asks for and study up on that Texas history. I passed it my first time with only a week of studying with a 268.

Strategy 4

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the pass the TExEs study guide History 7-12. This book is a good introduction of what you will need to know, but it lacks the depth that the test questions demanded. Use a study guide and get a History book from one of the local public schools. I used a STARR test and that was actually helpful.

Testing Strategy

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Strategy 5

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I only had about two weeks to prepare. I recommend you to study longer. I bought texesprep.com test, mometrix study guide and flash cards. The test were somehow similar to the test but I feel the study guide and the flash cards help greatly. I also watched crash course on YouTube.

Testing Strategy

I arrived early to the testing center. I was a bit nervous. The test as I expected was very broad. I felt there was more World history than US History. If you are not familiar with Texas History. Study it! Buy those flashcards. They are give you in depth information. Good Luck!

Strategy 6

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the online guide provided by the ETS, and I felt it was a good base to start with. I also used the questions they provided as a start to figure out where I really needed to spend my time. I'm not from Texas, so I knew Texas History was going to be one of my weakest areas. About 3 months before I took the test I googled Texas History, read some interesting articles and went from there. I mainly used the Mometrix Secrets Guide and the Certify Teacher program. I spent around $90 for both, and it was the best 90 I've ever spent. Certify Teacher uses test questions that are no longer used on the test so it gives you a good idea of what the questions will look like. My only issue is that the questions became pretty monotonous because there are only 300-350 of them. I think the Secrets Guide is really what helped me. I recommend both programs. I started studying about a month before the test, around 1-2 hours a day until the week leading up to the test where I was studying 3-4 hours a day. The day before the test I locked myself in my apartment and studied all day a few small breaks. I don't recommend that for everyone, but I felt better doing it.

Testing Strategy

The first test question frazzled me because it was an area I hadn't really studied. After several deep breaths, I re-read the question and eliminated answers based on process of elimination. You get up to 5 hours to take the test and it took me almost 2 hours to complete it. There is a mark feature within the test that I felt really came in handy. After reading the question, if I knew the answer or thought I knew it, I spent time on it. If I read the question and knew right away that I didn't know it, I "marked" it and moved on. The second time through, I went back to all the "marked" questions and took my time really trying to figure them out. The 3rd and final time, I rechecked every question and hit submit. The testing center provides you with scratch paper and that helped me a lot. I was pretty upset leaving the testing center; I was convinced I had failed. I took the test on a Monday morning and on Friday morning the results came in. I passed with a 251! And the area where I scored the highest was Texas History! My biggest piece of advice is study hard, go in confidant, and get a good night's sleep the night before!

Strategy 7

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I purchased Certify Teacher, through my University because they offered a discount, so I would first recommend looking into that. I only paid $25, when normal price is $60. I studied all the material on the program and also went through the prep manual to read the specific domains I'd need to learn. If the manual listed an example, I made a flashcard and studied that as well. I also watched all of John Green's crash course videos for U.S and World History, which helped a lot.

Testing Strategy

I was extremely nervous for the exam, but I am a realist so I just literally told myself that I prepared to the best of my ability and just took the test questions one at a time. There were many questions that I can recall being similar to the Certify Teacher program, and also from material John Green covered. MAKE FLASHCARDS! There were some that required using a chart or visual and some that required you to place things in order, so it would be wise to study a timeline of History. 20 questions do NOT count. There were a few that I had no idea and had to guess, but studying the way I did allowed me to pass with a 253! It's scaled, so don't feel bad if you don't know a few. GOOD LUCK! You will do fine!

Strategy 8

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

To study for the test I watched many of John Green's Crash Course History videos, took end of year course exams from various years from different grades, purchased Barron's AP US History flashcards, Barron's AP World History flashcards, studied notes from a Texas History course I had taken in college, and took the practice exams in Certify Teacher's online preparation program. I studied for 2-6 hours/day for 16 days before the test. I felt that everything I used really helped, however, I must say that the Certify Teacher practice exams are much easier than the actual exam. So if you aren't scoring high on those, you aren't ready for the real thing. But, it was very helpful because it prepares you for the wording of the exam. If I had it all to do over again, I would spend more time on ancient/early World History.

Testing Strategy

I advise you to get to the testing center extra early as there was a whole process to go through before being assigned a computer. Breathe. I sat down, felt the test anxiety creep in and felt certain that I was going to fail. Take your time. Skip questions if needed. I went through the test from beginning to end 3 times before submitting it and each time I did, it seemed less overwhelming. I took the test on a Wednesday morning and got an email notifying me that my score was in around noon on Friday. I passed with a score of 263! It was probably the most stressful test of my life, but every hour spent preparing for the test was totally worth it!

Strategy 9

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I purchased the Mometrix 233 History 7-12 Study Guide Secrets. I also printed out all of the TExES 233 History 7-12 Quizlet.com pages and put all the print outs in a folder. I read the entire Mometrix Study Guide and the entire Quizlet.com pages. I also read through the History 7-12 Test at-a-glance and the TExES 233 Preparation manual.

Testing Strategy

The TExES 233 Consisted of 100 questions which only 80 counted. The breakdown of the test was as follows: World History 24 questions, U.S. History 29 questions, Texas History 16 questions, Foundations/Skills/Research and Instruction questions 11 questions. I did really well, but failed the Texas History Questions. I suggest that you spend more time on the Texas History Section. I took my exam on Friday and got my results on Tuesday. As expected, I bombed the Texas History, but got enough right in the rest of the exam that I got a PASSING score of 243! If I had to do it again, I would focus my time more on the Texas History questions.

Strategy 10

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I started my studying by watching 'Crash Course for American and World History'. I took some practice tests with AP World and US Histories. I also looked the the released STAAR tests for grades 7-12.

Testing Strategy

The test was okay, I only studied for about a week so I do recommend studying longer than I did. I passed on my first try.

Strategy 11

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I read the History comments, as well as those in the Social Studies sections to see where to start. I used 'Pass the TExES,' Barron's AP Flash Cards, and Crash Course videos on YouTube. I supplemented this with a straight-forward Texas History book from the library aimed at about 6th grade. I studied casually for one week and then another seriously 'dedicated' week leading up to the exam.

Testing Strategy

The test took me less than 2 hours. I did not feel confident and thought briefly about 'voiding' the test, but let it stand. A full week later I received a score of 272! Like so many people before me, Texas History was by far my weakest domain. I think the TExES book and flashcards helped me learn what I needed and the videos just help to cement the material.

Strategy 12

Study Strategy

I only had about two weeks to prepare. I recommend you to study longer. I bought texesprep.com test, mometrix study guide and flash cards. The test were somehow similar to the test but I feel the study guide and the flash cards help greatly. I also watched crash course on YouTube.

Testing Strategy

I arrived early to the testing center. I was a bit nervous. The test as I expected was very broad. I felt there was more World history than US History. If you are not familiar with Texas History. Study it! Buy those flashcards. They are give you in depth information. Good Luck!

Strategy 13

Study Strategy

I used the pass the TExEs study guide History 7-12. This book is a good introduction of what you will need to know, but it lacks the depth that the test questions demanded. Use a study guide and get a History book from one of the local public schools. I used a STARR test and that was actually helpful.

Strategy 14

Study Strategy

After reading some of the other comments on here concerning the History exams I was a bit nervous. I bought the passthetexes, but it was not as helpful as I hoped it would be. I studied full force for about a week, watched all of the crash course videos, and purchased the Barron's AP world and U.S. history flash cards as well as pulled all my college textbooks from Texas history.

Testing Strategy

The exam was about what I expected and I used the "mark" feature, which helps! Make sure you fully read the question and understand what it asks for and study up on that Texas history. I passed it my first time with only a week of studying with a 268.

Strategy 15

Study Strategy

I read the History comments, as well as those in the Social Studies sections to see where to start. I used 'Pass the TExES,' Barron's AP Flash Cards, and Crash Course videos on YouTube. I supplemented this with a straight-forward Texas History book from the library aimed at about 6th grade. I studied casually for one week and then another seriously 'dedicated' week leading up to the exam.

Testing Strategy

The test took me less than 2 hours. I did not feel confident and thought briefly about 'voiding' the test, but let it stand. A full week later I received a score of 272! Like so many people before me, Texas History was by far my weakest domain. I think the TExES book and flashcards helped me learn what I needed and the videos just help to cement the material.

Strategy 16

Study Strategy

I started my studying by watching 'Crash Course for American and World History'. I took some practice tests with AP World and US Histories. I also looked the the released STAAR tests for grades 7-12.

Testing Strategy

The test was okay, I only studied for about a week so I do recommend studying longer than I did. I passed on my first try.

Strategy 17

Study Strategy

I purchased the Mometrix 233 History 7-12 Study Guide Secrets. I also printed out all of the TExES 233 History 7-12 Quizlet.com pages and put all the print outs in a folder. I read the entire Mometrix Study Guide and the entire Quizlet.com pages. I also read through the History 7-12 Test at-a-glance and the TExES 233 Preparation manual.

Testing Strategy

The TExES 233 Consisted of 100 questions which only 80 counted. The breakdown of the test was as follows: World History 24 questions, U.S. History 29 questions, Texas History 16 questions, Foundations/Skills/Research and Instruction questions 11 questions. I did really well, but failed the Texas History Questions. I suggest that you spend more time on the Texas History Section. I took my exam on Friday and got my results on Tuesday. As expected, I bombed the Texas History, but got enough right in the rest of the exam that I got a PASSING score of 243! If I had to do it again, I would focus my time more on the Texas History questions.

Strategy 18

Study Strategy

To study for the test I watched many of John Green's Crash Course History videos, took end of year course exams from various years from different grades, purchased Barron's AP US History flashcards, Barron's AP World History flashcards, studied notes from a Texas History course I had taken in college, and took the practice exams in Certify Teacher's online preparation program. I studied for 2-6 hours/day for 16 days before the test. I felt that everything I used really helped, however, I must say that the Certify Teacher practice exams are much easier than the actual exam. So if you aren't scoring high on those, you aren't ready for the real thing. But, it was very helpful because it prepares you for the wording of the exam. If I had it all to do over again, I would spend more time on ancient/early World History.

Testing Strategy

I advise you to get to the testing center extra early as there was a whole process to go through before being assigned a computer. Breathe. I sat down, felt the test anxiety creep in and felt certain that I was going to fail. Take your time. Skip questions if needed. I went through the test from beginning to end 3 times before submitting it and each time I did, it seemed less overwhelming. I took the test on a Wednesday morning and got an email notifying me that my score was in around noon on Friday. I passed with a score of 263! It was probably the most stressful test of my life, but every hour spent preparing for the test was totally worth it!

Strategy 19

Study Strategy

I purchased Certify Teacher, through my University because they offered a discount, so I would first recommend looking into that. I only paid $25, when normal price is $60. I studied all the material on the program and also went through the prep manual to read the specific domains I'd need to learn. If the manual listed an example, I made a flashcard and studied that as well. I also watched all of John Green's crash course videos for U.S and World History, which helped a lot.

Testing Strategy

I was extremely nervous for the exam, but I am a realist so I just literally told myself that I prepared to the best of my ability and just took the test questions one at a time. There were many questions that I can recall being similar to the Certify Teacher program, and also from material John Green covered. MAKE FLASHCARDS! There were some that required using a chart or visual and some that required you to place things in order, so it would be wise to study a timeline of History. 20 questions do NOT count. There were a few that I had no idea and had to guess, but studying the way I did allowed me to pass with a 253! It's scaled, so don't feel bad if you don't know a few. GOOD LUCK! You will do fine!

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