TExES Educational Diagnostician Practice Test (253)

Exam Background and Purpose

The Educational Diagnostician (153) exam verifies that you have the expertise and knowledge needed for a beginning-level teacher in the subject matter area in Texas public schools.

Test Eligibility

Once you achieve one of the following Educator Preparation Program (EPP) requirements, you’ll be eligible to take the Educational Diagnostician (153) exam:

• University Initial — Usually included in an undergraduate clinical teaching program.
• University Post Baccalaureate — For adults who have a bachelor’s degree or higher who want a certification and advanced degree.
• University Alternative Certification Program — A university-sponsored alternative program.
• Alternative Certification Program — For nontraditional students who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher including university course work or other professional development, plus mentoring and supervision.

Exam Registration

Register online for the Educational Diagnostician (153) exam and get more details on available testing center locations, dates and times at www.texes.ets.org/

Costs/Payment Options

The exam fee is $116 and is due when you register. You can pay using a credit or debit card branded with MasterCard® or VISA®. Checks or cash are not accepted. Note: Your registration stays current for 170 days. After that point, if you haven’t taken your exam, your registration will expire and you will forfeit your exam fees.

Times/Locations

You’ll be able to find detailed testing time and location information when you register. Arrive before your scheduled test time, since those who are late to the exam will not be allowed to sit for the test.

Test Duration: You’ll have five hours to take the Educational Diagnostician (153) exam.

What to Bring:

• You must bring two forms of current identification that include your name, signature and photo (including IDs such as a current passport, a driver’s license, state, national ID or military ID). Your ID name must match your first and last name listed on your registration materials. If your names don’t match, you will be excluded from taking the exam and you’ll forfeit your exam fees.

What Not to Bring:

• Any personal items
• Bags, portfolios, knapsacks, etc.
• Any electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, PDAs, watches, etc.
• Calculators of any kind
• Study materials, notes, scrap paper or books
• Food, drinks (including chewing gum)
• Jewelry, other than wedding rings or small earrings
• Hats or headwear, except for medical/religious reasons
• Eyeglasses that have any kind of recording/communication capabilities
• Any vaping, smoking or tobacco materials
• Visitors of any type
• Weapons

What to Expect During Your TExES Exam

Format/Number of Questions: This is a computer-administered test (CAT), consisting of 100 selected-response questions.

Domains of Covered Content in the Exam

The Educational Diagnostician (153) exam covers four domains. Here’s an overview of the domain areas, including the approximate percentage of each domain as part of the whole, and the content areas that you can expect to be covered during the test.

• Domain I: Students with Disabilities (22%) — Includes federal and state criteria for disability, along with procedures for identifying educational need. Also covers socioeconomic, linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity, plus planning, instruction and evaluation of individual diversity significance.

• Domain II: Assessment and Evaluation (33%) — Covers student evaluation and assessment, along with planning and instructional decision-making. Also looks at formal and informal evaluation techniques.

• Domain III: Curriculum and Instruction (22%) — Assesses understanding of teaching strategies and curriculum for students with disabilities, along with looking at proper evaluation, planning, assessment and instructional design to meet student social and behavioral skills.

• Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities (22%) — Looks at understanding of professional roles, responsibilities and practices, plus special education legal, ethical and philosophical principles. Also reviews skills related to organization, scheduling and time management.

Calculating Your Passing Score: The passing score for this exam is set at 240 points. Your score will be available online within seven days of your exam date.