100+ Free TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Practice Questions

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Question 1

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A scientist wants to amplify a small sample of DNA to obtain millions of copies for analysis. Which technique is most appropriate?

Gram staining

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Gel electrophoresis

Light microscopy

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Exam

100

Selected-Response Questions

TExES 238 test page

5h / 4h45m

Appointment / Testing Time

TExES 238 test page

240

Scaled Passing Score

Texas educator testing program

100-300

Scaled Score Range

TExES score reporting

$116

Current CBT Fee

TExES fees page

Content Domains

TExES 238 exam framework

20%

Weight of Each Top Domain

TExES 238 exam framework

Pearson

Test Administrator

Texas Educator Certification Examination Program

For 2026 planning, the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) is a 100-question selected-response exam delivered by Pearson, with a 5-hour appointment (4 hours 45 minutes of testing), a 240 scaled passing score on a 100-300 scale, and a $116 fee. The current framework weights Domain II Cell Structure and Processes, Domain III Heredity and Evolution, and Domain IV Diversity of Life at 20% each, with Domain I Scientific Inquiry and Domain V Interdependence at 15% each, and Domain VI Science Learning, Instruction, and Assessment at 10%. Candidates need testing approval from a TEA-approved educator preparation program before registering.

Sample TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Before beginning a laboratory activity involving open flames and volatile chemicals, which action is the most appropriate first safety step for a high school biology teacher?

A.Reviewing the safety data sheets (SDS) and ensuring proper ventilation and fire safety equipment are available

B.Allowing students to choose their own lab partners to encourage collaboration

C.Distributing the chemicals before explaining the procedure to save class time

D.Asking students to memorize the procedure rather than providing written instructions

Explanation: Reviewing safety data sheets (SDS) and confirming ventilation and fire safety equipment ensures hazards are identified and controls are in place before the activity begins. This proactive approach is foundational to laboratory safety. Texas requires teachers to follow established safety standards for science instruction.

2A student designs an experiment to test whether light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants. Which variable should be the dependent variable?

A.The rate of oxygen bubble production by the plant

B.The intensity of the light source

C.The species of aquatic plant used

D.The temperature of the water

Explanation: The dependent variable is what is measured in response to changes in the independent variable. Here, the rate of oxygen bubble production measures photosynthetic activity as light intensity is varied. The independent variable is the manipulated factor, light intensity.

3Which statement best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?

A.A theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable proposed explanation

B.A theory is a guess, while a hypothesis is a proven fact

C.A theory cannot be tested, while a hypothesis is always correct

D.A theory applies only to physics, while a hypothesis applies only to biology

Explanation: A scientific theory is a broad, well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world supported by extensive evidence, such as the theory of evolution. A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction or proposed explanation. Theories do not become facts but unify and explain many facts and observations.

4A researcher collects data showing a strong correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents. What is the most scientifically sound conclusion?

A.Correlation does not establish causation; a third variable such as warm weather likely influences both

B.Ice cream consumption directly causes drowning

C.Drowning incidents cause increased ice cream sales

D.The data must be invalid because the variables are unrelated

Explanation: A correlation between two variables does not prove one causes the other. A confounding variable, such as warm summer weather, can independently increase both ice cream sales and swimming-related drownings. Recognizing confounding factors is essential to valid scientific reasoning.

5Which piece of laboratory equipment is most appropriate for accurately measuring 23.5 mL of a liquid for a quantitative experiment?

A.A graduated cylinder

B.A beaker

C.An Erlenmeyer flask

D.A test tube

Explanation: A graduated cylinder provides precise volume measurements with finely spaced graduations, making it suitable for measuring 23.5 mL accurately. Beakers and flasks have wide, approximate markings intended for estimation, not precise measurement.

6In an experiment, a control group is used primarily to:

A.Provide a baseline for comparison that isolates the effect of the independent variable

B.Increase the number of trials in the experiment

C.Guarantee that the hypothesis will be supported

D.Eliminate the need for repeated measurements

Explanation: A control group does not receive the experimental treatment and serves as a baseline against which the treatment group is compared. This isolates the effect of the independent variable and helps rule out alternative explanations for the observed outcome.

7Which development is most directly credited with allowing scientists to first observe and describe cells?

A.The invention of the microscope

B.The discovery of DNA structure

C.The development of the polymerase chain reaction

D.The formulation of the theory of natural selection

Explanation: The invention and refinement of the microscope in the 17th century allowed Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek to observe cells and microorganisms for the first time. This technological advance was foundational to the development of cell theory.

8A teacher wants students to determine the precision of repeated mass measurements of the same object. Which statistical measure is most appropriate?

A.The standard deviation of the measurements

B.The mean of unrelated variables

C.The slope of a best-fit line

D.The chemical formula of the object

Explanation: Standard deviation quantifies how spread out repeated measurements are around the mean, directly indicating precision. A small standard deviation means measurements are closely clustered and highly precise. This is a core concept in analyzing experimental data quality.

9Which of the following best represents an appropriate use of a dichotomous key in a biology classroom?

A.Identifying an unknown organism by answering a series of paired either-or questions about its characteristics

B.Measuring the rate of enzyme activity at different temperatures

C.Calculating the allele frequencies in a population

D.Determining the molarity of a salt solution

Explanation: A dichotomous key guides identification by presenting a series of paired contrasting choices about observable traits, narrowing possibilities until the organism is identified. It is a standard tool for teaching classification and careful observation.

10An experiment yields results that contradict the researcher's original hypothesis. According to sound scientific practice, the researcher should:

A.Report the results accurately and consider revising the hypothesis or designing further investigations

B.Discard the data because they do not support the hypothesis

C.Alter the data so they match the expected outcome

D.Conclude that the experiment was a failure and abandon the question

Explanation: Results that contradict a hypothesis are still valuable scientific evidence. Ethical practice requires reporting them accurately and using them to revise the hypothesis or design new experiments. Disconfirming evidence drives the self-correcting nature of science.

About the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Exam

TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) is the Texas content-knowledge exam for candidates seeking secondary life science certification. The official framework organizes 100 selected-response questions across six domains covering scientific inquiry, cell structure and processes, heredity and evolution, diversity of life, environmental systems, and science instruction and assessment.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

5h appointment (4h 45m testing)

Passing Score

240 (scaled)

Exam Fee

$116 (Texas Educator Certification Examination Program / Pearson)

TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Exam Content Outline

20%

Cell Structure and Processes

Biomolecules, cell structure and organelles, membrane transport, enzymes, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, the cell cycle, and cell growth and differentiation.

20%

Heredity and Evolution of Life

Nucleic acids, DNA replication and gene expression, Mendelian and molecular genetics, mechanisms and evidence of evolution, and speciation.

20%

Diversity of Life

Taxonomy and classification, structure and function of living systems, organ systems, homeostasis, and animal behavior.

15%

Scientific Inquiry and Processes

Laboratory safety, experimental design, data analysis, the nature of science, and the history and impact of science.

15%

Interdependence of Life and Environmental Systems

Ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, species interactions, population dynamics, and human impacts on the environment.

10%

Science Learning, Instruction, and Assessment

Inquiry-based teaching, TEKS-aligned planning, addressing misconceptions, equitable instruction, and formative and summative assessment.

How to Pass the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 240 (scaled)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 5h appointment (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 Life Science 7-12 (238) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Concentrate first on the three highest-weight domains: cell processes, heredity and evolution, and diversity of life, which together make up 60% of the exam

2Connect biochemistry to physiology: understand how enzymes, membranes, and ATP underlie respiration, photosynthesis, and homeostasis

3Practice genetics problems, including Punnett squares, dihybrid crosses, pedigrees, and Hardy-Weinberg, since calculation items appear across the heredity domain

4Review laboratory safety, experimental design, and data analysis carefully, as scientific inquiry is a full 15% domain that is easy to underprepare

5Study ecology as integrated systems: energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, population dynamics, and human impacts rather than isolated definitions

6For the instruction and assessment domain, choose inquiry-based, TEKS-aligned, and formative-assessment strategies that address student misconceptions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238)?

The official TExES 238 test page lists 100 selected-response questions. The appointment is 5 hours, with 4 hours 45 minutes of actual testing time after the tutorial and administrative steps.

What passing score do I need for the TExES Life Science 238?

The passing standard is a scaled score of 240 on a 100-300 scale. Focus on consistent performance across all six domains rather than trying to estimate a raw-score cutoff.

How much does the TExES Life Science 238 exam cost?

The current computer-based testing fee for the TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) is $116. Always confirm the fee at registration because Texas educator testing fees can change.

Which domains are weighted most heavily on the TExES 238?

Domain II Cell Structure and Processes, Domain III Heredity and Evolution, and Domain IV Diversity of Life are each worth 20%. Domain I Scientific Inquiry and Domain V Interdependence are each 15%, and Domain VI Science Learning, Instruction, and Assessment is 10%.

What content does the TExES Life Science 238 cover?

The exam covers cell biology and biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, evolution, taxonomy and organism structure and function, homeostasis, ecology and environmental systems, scientific inquiry, and science teaching and assessment for grades 7-12.

How should I study for the TExES Life Science 238 effectively?

Prioritize the three 20% domains (cells, genetics and evolution, diversity), use practice questions to find weak areas, and review lab safety and inquiry. Add pedagogy practice for the science instruction and assessment domain, then take timed full-length practice.

100+ Free TExES Life Science 7-12 (238) Practice Questions

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