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100+ Free TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Practice Questions

Pass your TExES Core Subjects Early Childhood-Grade 6 (391) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A first grader writes 'I lik to plae owtsid.' This spelling stage, where children represent words by their dominant sounds, is best described as:

A
B
C
D
to track
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Exam

210

Total Selected-Response Questions

TExES 391 preparation manual

5

Subject Exams (901-905)

TExES 391 exam framework

240

Scaled Passing Score per Subject

Texas educator testing program

$116

Combined Exam Fee

TExES fees page

5 hours

Session Time (timed by subject)

TExES 391 test page

21.5%

Weight of ELAR (901) and Science (904)

TExES 391 exam framework

19%

Weight of Math, Social Studies, and Fine Arts

TExES 391 exam framework

STR

Also Required for EC-6 Certification

TEA required certification tests chart

For 2026 planning, the Core Subjects EC-6 (391) is a combined, selected-response exam of 210 questions across five subject exams, timed by subject within a 5-hour session, with a 240 scaled passing score required on each subject and a $116 fee. ELAR (901) and Science (904) carry the largest share at roughly 21.5% each, while Mathematics (902), Social Studies (903), and Fine Arts/Health/PE (905) each carry about 19%. Texas also requires the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam for EC-6 certificates, so candidates should confirm the current Required Texas Certification Tests chart before scheduling.

Sample TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A kindergarten teacher claps out the syllables in students' names and has them count the beats. Which early literacy skill is being developed?
A.Phonological awareness
B.Print awareness
C.Alphabetic principle
D.Reading fluency
Explanation: Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structure of spoken language, including syllables, onsets, rimes, and phonemes. Clapping and counting syllables targets the syllable level of phonological awareness. It is an oral skill that does not require print.
2The smallest unit of sound that distinguishes one word from another, such as the difference between 'bat' and 'pat', is called a:
A.Grapheme
B.Morpheme
C.Phoneme
D.Syllable
Explanation: A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can change meaning; /b/ and /p/ are distinct phonemes because swapping them changes 'bat' to 'pat'. Phonemic awareness involves manipulating these individual sounds. English has roughly 44 phonemes.
3A second grader reads aloud at an appropriate rate, with accuracy and expression, grouping words into meaningful phrases. This describes strong reading:
A.Decoding
B.Fluency
C.Phonemic awareness
D.Vocabulary
Explanation: Reading fluency is the ability to read text accurately, at an appropriate rate, and with proper expression (prosody). Fluent readers group words into meaningful phrases, which frees cognitive resources for comprehension. The three components are accuracy, rate, and prosody.
4A teacher wants students to use context clues to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word in a passage. This strategy primarily supports development of:
A.Phonics skills
B.Vocabulary
C.Handwriting
D.Spelling patterns
Explanation: Using context clues, such as definitions, synonyms, or examples embedded in surrounding text, is a key strategy for inferring and learning word meanings, which builds vocabulary. Context-based instruction helps students independently acquire new words during reading. Vocabulary knowledge strongly predicts comprehension.
5Which prewriting activity would best help a first grader generate and organize ideas before drafting a personal narrative?
A.Editing for capitalization and punctuation
B.Creating a graphic organizer with a sequence of events
C.Publishing the story in a class book
D.Copying a model paragraph from the board
Explanation: Prewriting is the planning stage where writers generate and organize ideas before drafting. A graphic organizer that sequences events helps young writers structure a narrative chronologically. This matches the developmental needs of early writers planning a personal narrative.
6A teacher notices a student reads 'house' for 'home' and 'big' for 'large' while reading aloud. These miscues suggest the student is relying most heavily on which cueing system?
A.Graphophonic (visual) cues
B.Semantic (meaning) cues
C.Syntactic cues only
D.Phonemic segmentation
Explanation: Substituting words with similar meanings (home/house, large/big) indicates the reader is using semantic, or meaning-based, cues and predicting from context rather than carefully attending to the printed letters. Such miscues preserve meaning but not graphophonic accuracy. This informs targeted instruction toward visual/graphophonic strategies.
7In the word 'unhappiness', how many morphemes are present?
A.One
B.Two
C.Three
D.Four
Explanation: The word 'unhappiness' contains three morphemes: the prefix 'un-' (meaning not), the root 'happy', and the suffix '-ness' (forming a noun). Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning. Teaching morphology helps students decode and understand complex words.
8A teacher asks students to predict what will happen next, visualize the setting, and summarize each chapter. These are examples of:
A.Decoding strategies
B.Comprehension strategies
C.Phonics rules
D.Fluency drills
Explanation: Predicting, visualizing, and summarizing are research-based comprehension strategies that active readers use to construct meaning from text. Explicitly teaching these metacognitive strategies improves understanding and retention. They go beyond simply reading the words.
9An emergent bilingual student is stronger in conversational English than in academic English. Which support would best build academic language?
A.Limiting the student to only social conversation in class
B.Providing content instruction with visuals, sentence frames, and explicit academic vocabulary
C.Delaying all content instruction until English is mastered
D.Translating every assignment into the home language only
Explanation: Academic language (the formal vocabulary and structures of school) takes longer to develop than conversational language. Effective support pairs grade-level content with scaffolds such as visuals, sentence frames, and explicit academic vocabulary instruction. This builds language and content knowledge simultaneously.
10Which sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement?
A.The group of students were excited about the trip.
B.Each of the boys have a pencil.
C.Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
D.The list of items are on the desk.
Explanation: In 'neither...nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the nearer subject; here 'students' (plural) is closest, so 'were' is correct. This demonstrates the proximity rule for correlative conjunctions. Knowing standard usage conventions is part of writing conventions instruction.

About the TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Exam

TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) is the combined content exam for Texas early childhood through grade 6 teacher certification. It bundles five subject exams: English Language Arts and Reading (901), Mathematics (902), Social Studies (903), Science (904), and Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education (905). All questions are selected-response, and candidates must pass each subject exam to pass the 391.

Questions

210 scored questions

Time Limit

5h (timed by subject exam)

Passing Score

240 (scaled) on each subject

Exam Fee

$116 (Texas Educator Certification Examination Program / Pearson VUE)

TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Exam Content Outline

21.5%

English Language Arts and Reading (901)

Oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and word analysis, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, the writing process and conventions, viewing/representing, and assessment of developing literacy.

21.5%

Science (904)

Lab safety and processes, nature and history of science, force and motion, properties of matter, energy and heat transfer, living things, heredity and adaptations, Earth and space systems, and science instruction.

19%

Mathematics (902)

Number concepts and operations, patterns and algebraic reasoning, geometry and measurement, probability and statistics, mathematical processes, and effective mathematics instruction.

19%

Social Studies (903)

Texas and U.S. history, geography and culture, economics, government and citizenship, primary/secondary source analysis, and social science instruction.

19%

Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education (905)

Visual arts elements and principles, music concepts, theatre and creative drama, health and wellness, nutrition and safety, and developmentally appropriate physical education.

How to Pass the TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 240 (scaled) on each subject
  • Exam length: 210 questions
  • Time limit: 5h (timed by subject exam)
  • Exam fee: $116

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat the 391 as five separate exams; budget the most study time for ELAR (901) and Science (904), which carry the largest weight
2For reading items, master the progression from phonological awareness to phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and match strategies to the skill being assessed
3On math items, work concept-first: model with manipulatives and place value before procedures, and watch for fraction misconceptions
4For social studies, anchor Texas history milestones (1836 independence, 1845 statehood, Spanish missions) and practice primary vs. secondary source analysis
5In science, focus on inquiry, variables, lab safety, and high-frequency concepts like the water cycle, states of matter, food chains, and seasons
6For Fine Arts/Health/PE, memorize core vocabulary (elements of art, tempo/dynamics, locomotor skills, fitness components) and favor developmentally appropriate, inclusive instruction

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391)?

The 391 contains 210 selected-response questions spread across five subject exams: ELAR (901), Mathematics (902), Social Studies (903), Science (904), and Fine Arts/Health/PE (905). The session is 5 hours, with time allocated by subject exam rather than as one combined block.

What passing score do I need on the TExES 391?

You must earn a scaled score of 240 on each of the five subject exams. TExES scores are reported on a 100-300 scale by subject, so a strong overall score does not offset failing a single subject; you must pass each one.

How much does the TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391) cost?

The combined 391 fee is $116. If you fail one subject, you can retake just that subject exam separately, which is billed on its own. Always verify the current fee at registration because Texas educator test fees can change.

Which subjects are weighted most heavily on the 391?

English Language Arts and Reading (901) and Science (904) are the largest at about 21.5% each. Mathematics (902), Social Studies (903), and Fine Arts/Health/PE (905) each account for about 19% of the exam.

Do I need any other exams for EC-6 certification in Texas?

Yes. In addition to the 391, Texas requires the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam for EC-6 certificates and a pedagogy requirement such as the PPR EC-12 (160). Confirm the current Required Texas Certification Tests chart for your route before registering.

Can I retake just one subject if I fail it?

Yes. If you do not pass one of the five subject exams, you may register for and retake only that subject exam rather than the entire combined 391. Each subject still requires a 240 scaled score to pass.