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100+ Free TExES Health EC-12 257 Practice Questions

Pass your TExES Health EC-12 (257) Texas Examinations of Educator Standards exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Within a Response to Intervention (RTI) framework, what is the purpose of Tier 1 instruction?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TExES Health EC-12 257 Exam

90 + 1

Selected-Response Plus Constructed-Response Questions

TExES 257 exam framework

240

Scaled Passing Score

Texas educator testing program

$116

Current Exam Fee

TExES fees page

5 domains

Content Domains on the 257 Exam

TExES 257 exam framework

30%

Largest Domain Weight (Reducing Risks)

TExES 257 exam framework

20%

Constructed-Response Domain Weight

TExES 257 exam framework

~5 hours

Total Appointment Time

TExES 257 test page

257

Current Code Replacing Retired 157

TEA required and replacement test chart

For 2026 planning, the current TExES Health EC-12 (257) exam includes 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question, a 5-hour appointment, a 240 scaled passing score, and a $116 fee. The framework weights Domain I Health and Wellness at 22%, Domain II Health Skills for Reducing Risks at 30%, Domain III Health Literacy and Health Education at 14%, Domain IV Educating All Learners and Professional Practice at 13%, and Domain V Constructed Response at 20%. The 257 exam replaced the retired Health EC-12 (157); confirm the current Required Texas Certification Tests chart before scheduling.

Sample TExES Health EC-12 257 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TExES Health EC-12 257 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which macronutrient is the body's primary and most efficient source of energy, especially for the brain and during high-intensity activity?
A.Carbohydrates
B.Dietary fats
C.Proteins
D.Dietary fiber
Explanation: Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, the body's main fuel and the preferred energy source for the brain and red blood cells. They are also the primary fuel during high-intensity exercise. Health teachers emphasize complex carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
2On a U.S. Nutrition Facts label, which value should a consumer use to evaluate how a single serving of a food fits into a daily diet based on 2,000 calories?
A.Calories from fat
B.% Daily Value
C.Net weight in grams
D.Number of ingredients listed
Explanation: The % Daily Value (%DV) tells consumers how much a nutrient in one serving contributes to a 2,000-calorie daily diet, with 5% DV or less considered low and 20% DV or more considered high. Teaching label literacy helps students make informed food choices.
3Which body system is primarily responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells and removing carbon dioxide and waste?
A.Respiratory system
B.Digestive system
C.Circulatory system
D.Endocrine system
Explanation: The circulatory (cardiovascular) system uses the heart, blood, and blood vessels to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells to tissues and to carry away carbon dioxide and metabolic waste. Understanding body systems supports teaching disease prevention and fitness.
4A pathogen that can spread from person to person through droplets, contact, or shared surfaces causes what type of disease?
A.Chronic degenerative disease
B.Genetic disorder
C.Nutritional deficiency disease
D.Communicable disease
Explanation: Communicable (infectious) diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi and can be transmitted between people. Examples include influenza, strep throat, and COVID-19. Health instruction emphasizes prevention through handwashing, vaccination, and avoiding shared contact.
5Which practice is the single most effective everyday method for preventing the spread of communicable diseases in a school setting?
A.Frequent and proper handwashing
B.Taking daily vitamin supplements
C.Wearing sunscreen outdoors
D.Increasing classroom temperature
Explanation: Proper, frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds removes pathogens and is widely recognized by the CDC as the most effective everyday way to reduce the spread of infectious disease. Teaching hand hygiene is foundational in elementary health instruction.
6According to the FITT principle for designing a fitness program, what do the four letters stand for?
A.Fitness, Intensity, Training, Technique
B.Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type
C.Frequency, Independence, Tempo, Timing
D.Function, Intensity, Type, Tolerance
Explanation: The FITT principle stands for Frequency (how often), Intensity (how hard), Time (how long), and Type (what kind of activity). It provides a structured framework students can use to plan and progress safe, effective personal fitness programs.
7Which component of health-related fitness is measured by activities such as sit-and-reach exercises?
A.Muscular strength
B.Cardiovascular endurance
C.Flexibility
D.Body composition
Explanation: Flexibility is the range of motion available at a joint and is commonly assessed with the sit-and-reach test. It is one of the five health-related fitness components, along with cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition.
8A teacher wants students to understand social determinants of health. Which factor is the BEST example of a social determinant?
A.An individual's inherited eye color
B.A student's preference for a particular sport
C.The number of hours in a school day
D.Access to safe housing and healthy food in a neighborhood
Explanation: Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments where people live, learn, and work that affect health outcomes, such as access to safe housing, nutritious food, education, and health care. These factors strongly influence community and individual wellness.
9Which of the following best describes mental and emotional health?
A.The ability to manage emotions, cope with stress, and maintain satisfying relationships
B.The complete absence of any negative feelings at all times
C.Only the lack of a diagnosed mental illness
D.The capacity to perform vigorous physical exercise
Explanation: Mental and emotional health is the ability to recognize and manage emotions, cope effectively with stress and challenges, and form and maintain satisfying relationships. It is a positive state of well-being, not merely the absence of illness.
10A health educator teaches students that 'protective factors' reduce the likelihood of negative health outcomes. Which is an example of a protective factor for adolescent mental health?
A.Chronic social isolation
B.Strong, supportive connections with caring adults
C.Easy access to alcohol at home
D.Frequent exposure to community violence
Explanation: Protective factors are conditions or attributes that buffer individuals from risk and promote resilience. Supportive relationships with caring adults, strong peer connections, and a sense of belonging are well-documented protective factors for adolescent mental health.

About the TExES Health EC-12 257 Exam

TExES Health EC-12 (257) is the Texas content exam for candidates seeking certification to teach health from early childhood through grade 12. The current 257 framework, which replaced the retired 157 exam, assesses health and wellness, skills for reducing risks, health literacy and education, educating all learners, and a constructed response applying pedagogical content knowledge.

Questions

91 scored questions

Time Limit

5h appointment (approx. 4h 45m testing)

Passing Score

240 (scaled)

Exam Fee

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

TExES Health EC-12 257 Exam Content Outline

22%

Health and Wellness

Body systems and health-related factors, nutrition and physical fitness, communicable and chronic disease prevention, mental and emotional health, and reproductive and sexual health across human development.

30%

Health Skills for Reducing Risks

Prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; interpersonal, social, and family relationships; injury prevention, safety, first aid, and CPR/AED; and personal health efficacy skills.

14%

Health Literacy and Health Education

Health literacy, media and consumer health, accessing valid information, community resources, and organizing effective, TEKS-aligned, skills-based health education programs.

13%

Educating All Learners and Professional Practice

Differentiation and Universal Design, accommodations and IEPs/504 plans, English learners, positive learning environments, assessment practices, and professional and ethical responsibilities.

20%

Constructed Response

One written response applying pedagogical content knowledge of health education to design and implement appropriate, standards-aligned instruction.

How to Pass the TExES Health EC-12 257 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 240 (scaled)
  • Exam length: 91 questions
  • Time limit: 5h appointment (approx. 4h 45m testing)
  • 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 Health EC-12 257 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Anchor instruction questions to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Health and to skills-based, functional health education rather than rote memorization
2For first-aid and safety items, follow standard sequences: check the scene first, then the person, then call for help and give care, and know CPR/AED and choking response
3On substance-abuse items, distinguish internal versus external influences and practice assertive refusal-skill scenarios
4For mental and emotional health, learn the warning signs of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, and emphasize protective factors and help-seeking
5On professional-practice items, choose answers that maintain confidentiality, honor mandated reporting, respect Texas parental-rights rules, and implement IEP/504 accommodations
6Practice the constructed response by outlining a clear learning objective, an aligned instructional strategy, and an assessment that measures the health skill

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the TExES Health EC-12 (257)?

The current 257 exam has 90 selected-response questions plus 1 constructed-response (written) question. Your appointment is about 5 hours, with roughly 4 hours 45 minutes of testing time after the tutorial and administrative steps.

What passing score do I need for TExES Health EC-12 (257)?

The passing standard is a scaled score of 240. TExES scaled scores range from 100 to 300, so aim for consistent performance across all five domains rather than guessing a raw-score cutoff.

How much does the TExES Health EC-12 (257) exam cost?

The current fee for the Health EC-12 (257) exam is $116. Always confirm the current fee during registration because Texas educator test fees can change.

Which domains are weighted most heavily on the 257 exam?

Domain II Health Skills for Reducing Risks carries the most weight at 30%, followed by Domain I Health and Wellness at 22% and the Domain V Constructed Response at 20%. Domain III is 14% and Domain IV is 13%.

Is the TExES Health EC-12 (257) different from the old 157 exam?

Yes. The 257 exam replaced the retired Health EC-12 (157) and uses a current framework with five domains, including a constructed-response component. Candidates should register for 257 and verify the current required-test chart for their certification route.

How should I study for the TExES Health EC-12 (257)?

Use scenario-based practice across all five domains. Prioritize Domain II safety, first aid, and substance-abuse prevention, then Domain I nutrition and mental health, and practice writing the constructed response on TEKS-aligned, skills-based instruction.