Perhaps you are already aware that during your year teaching in the classroom, you are required to take the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam If the extent of your knowledge ends there, don’t worry!  We’re here to give you the inside scoop and share our best tips with you.

 

Becoming Eligible For the PPR Exam

Rest assured in knowing that everyone is required to take the PPR – you’re not alone! Passing the PPR is required to earn your Standard Certificate. Before you register for the exam, you’ll need to complete your Pre-Service Training (composed of 35 online training courses and 30 hours of Field-Based Experience hours) and begin your first year teaching! After you begin teaching, you will receive access to your Texas Teachers’ PPR Review, which consists of 4 quizzes and 1 review exam. The goal of this review is to help prepare you for the actual exam, which is why you must earn 80% or higher to become eligible to register for the exam.

About the PPR Exam

Let’s take a bit of time and learn about the exam details. The PPR exam is comprised of 100 selected-response questions (multiple-choice, true/false, matching, etc.). These questions will cover grades EC-12 and are centered around the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities framework.

PPR-Exam

Keep the exam structure in mind when you begin preparing. It’s important to tailor your studying to match the exam expectations.

It’s also important to note that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) allows candidates 5 exam attempts – sorry, these aren’t our rules. Don’t panic, though – if necessary, you may apply for additional attempts through the TEA. If you find yourself in a position where you need to take the exam again, you can find additional support on our Resource Page.

PPR Prep & Resources

Once you’ve begun teaching, have finished your Pre-Service Training requirements and have completed the online PPR Review, it’s time to prepare to sit for the exam! We’ve gathered a comprehensive list of study resources to help you study for the exam. You can find this list on our PPR Resources webpage, or you can check it out here:

0-10$ PPR Resources

  • Quizlet | FREE: A free application and website which offers a variety of online article and study resources.
  • Online Study Community | FREE: Texas Teachers’ online forum where previous test-takers share their experiences and offer study tips.
  • Study.com | FREE (for 30 days): A comprehensive website offering 26 online study chapters, study guides and practice tests.
  • Pearson State Preparation Materials | $10: Purchase one interactive practice exam with a 120-day access pass.

11-44$ PPR Resources

  • Certify Teacher | $35 (with Texas Teachers discount; originally $80): Purchase 3-year access to various interactive practice tests. Features: personalized study plans, exam history tracking, detailed explanations, video tutoring, flashcard drills.
  • Mometrix TExES Secret Study Guides | $39.99: Purchase a step-by-step study guide, available in hardcopy or E-book format.
  • TExEs Flash Card Secrets Study Guide | $39.99: Purchase flash cards to help you learn how to solve difficult test questions.
  • Pass the TExES | $30-$44: Purchase a variety of services, such as subject area specific E-books ($30-$45).

45+ PPR Resources

  • Pass the TExES | $45-$120: Sign up to work with a tutor via phone, Skype or in-person. 1- or 2-hour appointments available.
  • Training & Consulting Downs Educational | $99-$350: Purchase a test preparation course package from an allotment of options.
  • TExES Tutoring Services | $399.99/2 weeks, $559.99/4 weeks: Purchase real-time tutoring sessions with experts delivered via Skype or video chat. Features: strategy development, exam practice, core subject preparation, flexible scheduling.

PPR Webinars

In addition to the many study resources available, we recommend taking advantage of our exam webinars through our premium test prep company, The Learning Liaisons. Learn everything you need to know for success on the PPR exam from a leading expert in test preparation — Dr. Jason Ampel, founder of The Learning Liaisons test preparation company.

Texas Teachers is excited to invite you to our three-part Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) Exam Review webinar series! And the best part? It’s FREE to attend! If you want to pass your PPR on the first try and get back to focusing on the classroom, you cannot afford to miss out on these exclusive events! Register to reserve your spot while seats are still available. View dates and times below:

PPR Review Session 1: Domains I & II
Saturday, November 6th, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6076260114183447564

PPR Review Session 2: Domains III & IV
Saturday, November 13th, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5503178161112225036

PPR Review Session 3: Practice Exam Q&A
Thursday, November 18th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Register Now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2878086453215645964

 

The Night Before The PPR Exam

Studying well in advance is extremely important and will play a major role in your exam outcome. While studying is essential, don’t save it for the last second. Make sure to get plenty of sleep before the exam. You will perform best if you are well-rested and prepared. Do not stay up late and attempt a final late-night study session. To the best of your ability, try to calm yourself before falling asleep. You have prepared for the exam. Practice confidence and try not to lose sleep to nerves.

Gather all the things you will need for the following day (seriously, this tip is a lifesaver!):

  • Exam Admission Confirmation
  • Valid ID
  • Bottle of Water
  • Sweater or Jacket

The Day of for the PPR Exam

Get up well before your scheduled exam so you do not have to rush. Have a hearty breakfast and check in with your nerves. Wear comfortable clothes; you’ll be sitting for five hours. When you’re ready, gather the items needed for the exam and leave with plenty of time to arrive early.

Consider leaving your phone some place safe. You cannot bring it to the examination room, so better not to be distracted by it. Remember to bring in your sweater or jacket, in case the testing room is cold. Find a space in the room where you feel comfortable. Get situated, take a breath and pass your exam!

PPR Exam Tips

  1. Listen to Instructions – Listen for any given instructions from the test moderator.
  2. Read the Directions – Please, please, please – read the instructions thoroughly. Underline negative words (ex. Which is not correct?) or questions that accept multiple answers (ex. Select all correct answers).
  3. Be Mindful of Time – Don’t get caught up on one question. Rule out obviously incorrect answers. If necessary, return to difficult questions and focus on answering easier ones.
  4. Answer ALL Questions – Don’t lose points to blank questions. If you leave any unanswered, be sure to return to questions and answer them.
  5. Trust Your Instinct ­– You’ve prepared for this exam. Use your best judgement and trust your mind to recall what you’ve studied.
  6. Use the Allotted Time – If you finish early, review your answers.

 

 Examples of PPR Questions 

Question 1:

Mark is a three-year-old boy who often chooses to play in the block corner during free play time. For several weeks, Mark’s block constructions have consisted primarily of repetitive rows made by placing the blocks end-to-end horizontally or by stacking them vertically. Based on this information, the best assessment of Mark’s play with the blocks is that he is: 

A.) too limited in his approach and needs to be stimulated to explore other types of block construction. 

B.) passing through a predictable stage in his exploration of the block medium. 

C.) exhibiting signs of cognitive delay and should be tested for possible cognitive deficits. 

D.) showing the effects of a home environment in which materials other than blocks are used to provide cognitive stimulation.

Questions 2:

When assessing the English Language Learners in his classes, the teacher can best ensure accurate assessment of the students’ learning by: 

A.) using various assessments, including written, oral, and performance measures, to allow students multiple opportunities to show what they have learned. 

B.) permitting the students to determine on their own when they are ready to be assessed in particular areas of instructional content. 

C.) assessing the students frequently (e.g., on a weekly basis) so that intervals between tests are short and the amount of material assessed at any one time is minimized. 

D.) placing equal emphasis on the teacher’s assessment of student learning and students’ assessment of their own learning. 

Question 3:

A third-grade teacher plans a social studies unit that will include teacher presentations, whole-class and small-group discussions, a presentation by a guest speaker, a video, a small group activity, and a field trip. Of the following, the most important advantage of the teacher’s instructional plan is that it: 

A.) facilitates the flexible pacing of lessons by the teacher in response to diverse student learning needs. 

B.) enables the teacher to cover a greater amount of instructional content in less class time. 

C.) gives students with varied learning preferences multiple chances to process and reinforce unit content. 

D.) facilitates teacher efforts to organize and sequence instruction in a logical, coherent way

Question 4:

A second-grade teacher plans to address the following science objective with his class. The student knows that systems are made up of parts, and that systems may not work when parts are separated from the whole. Which of the following strategies is most likely to help the teacher communicate this concept effectively to his second graders? 

A.) repeating the concept a number of times, using somewhat different words to describe it each time. 

B.) using a familiar example to illustrate the concept, such as showing that a flashlight without a battery will not work. 

C.) drawing a diagram of a simple system on the board, and showing how the parts of the system connect. 

D.) defining key words for students (e.g., system, whole, part) before beginning an explanation of the concept. 

Question 5:

Which of the following teacher strategies best promotes ongoing communication to enhance parental involvement in student learning?

A.) Creating an accessible class blog to provide parents with a forum for open discussion

B.) Using graphing software to display class progress to parents at the end of each grading period

C.) Producing a monthly slide show for parents of student work samples and class projects

D.) Establishing an educational social networking site for parents

Question: 6

Which of the following is a general education teacher’s primary responsibility in teaching special education students?

A.) Implementing modifications for students according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP)

B.) Identifying academic and behavioral goals for each student according to the results of a comprehensive evaluation

C.) Planning and coordinating annual Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings for each student

D.) Providing all modifications that the teacher believes are necessary to help each student succeed in class

How many times can you take the PPR Exam?

If you have been unable to pass your Texas PPR exam, you have up to five attempts total to pass. In order to work as a certified teacher in Texas, it is required that you pass the PPR exam. If you are wanting to retake the Texas PPR exam, you have 30 days from the time you received your scores

How much is the PPR Exam?

When becoming a certified teacher in Texas, you may be concerned about the overall cost of the certification. In terms of the Texas PPR exam, you will need to pay a fee of $116 in order to take the test. Additional fees may apply and you will have to pay this cost each time you want to take the Texas PPR exam

How to pass the PPR Exam?

There are a variety of exam tips that can help you pass the Texas PPR Exam. Start by listening to the instructions from the test moderator and carefully reading the directions on the test itself. It can be helpful to underline the specific instructions of what you can and cannot do on the Texas PPR exam. Make sure that you are being mindful of the time and following your intuition as you work your way through the PPR exam. Finally, answer all of the questions and use the allotted time. If you do not answer a question, you will be docked points for leaving it blank! The allotted time can help you catch any blank answers as well as reviewing the answers you already put on the PPR exam. 

How many questions are on the PPR Exam?

The Texas PPR exam consists of 90 questions, including 10 field test questions. The questions on the PPR exam are scored a cross a variety of categories and you must receive at least a score of 240 in order to pass it. 

How long is the PPR exam?

The length of the Texas PPR exam is designed to take less than 2.5 hours. However, individuals are able to take up to 5 hours for the PPR test. There is no score advantage to finishing the PPR test early, so if you feel the need to take the entirety of the test, there’s no harm in doing so!

Texas Teachers Is here to Help

You should now have a more in-depth understanding of what the PPR entails and how to prepare. Check out some of our suggested study resources and be sure to practice our test-taking tips. For any other unanswered questions, get in touch with your Program Advisor!