TExES 118 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass

The Magic Number: What 240 Actually Means

If you're preparing for the TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) exam, the number that matters most is 240. That's the passing scaled score set by the Texas Education Agency, and it's the single figure that determines whether you walk away with certification eligibility or a required retake. Unlike a percentage grade you might remember from school, 240 isn't "240 out of 300" or "240 correct answers." It's a scaled score built from a raw score conversion process that Pearson and TEA use to keep results consistent across different test forms and administration dates.

Understanding what 240 represents - and how it's calculated - helps you set realistic study targets instead of guessing at how many questions you can afford to miss. This is especially important for a content-heavy exam like TExES 118, where the material spans centuries of history, multiple social science disciplines, and instructional pedagogy specific to grades 4-8.

Raw Score vs. Scaled Score: How Pearson Calculates It

The TExES 118 test contains 100 selected-response questions. Not every one of those 100 counts toward your score - some are unscored field-test items that TEA uses to evaluate future exam questions before they become official scored items. You won't know which questions are field-test items while you're taking the exam, so the safest approach is to treat every single question as if it counts.

Once your raw number of correct scored answers is tallied, that number is converted into a scaled score ranging up to a maximum value, with 240 representing the passing threshold. This conversion process accounts for slight differences in difficulty between test forms, so the exact number of raw questions you need to answer correctly can shift slightly from one administration to another. That's why chasing a precise "you need to get X questions right" number is less useful than building genuine content mastery across both domains.

How the Two Domains Affect Your Score

Your scaled score of 240 isn't calculated domain-by-domain in a way that requires you to pass each section separately - but the weighting of the domains absolutely affects how you should study, because more questions on the exam come from the heavier domain. TExES 118 is built around two domains:

Because Domain 1 makes up 71% of the exam, most of your available points come from content knowledge rather than pedagogy. That doesn't mean you can skip Domain 2 - a weak showing there can still cost you the points needed to clear 240 - but it does mean your study hours should lean heavily toward history, geography, economics, and government review. For a full breakdown of every topic inside each domain, see the TExES 118 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 2 Content Areas.

What the Statewide Pass Rate Tells You

During the 2024-25 testing year, the statewide best-attempt pass rate for TExES 118 was 62% among 815 test takers. That means a meaningful share of first-time candidates did not reach the 240 threshold on their initial attempt. This isn't meant to discourage you - it's meant to underscore that the passing score is a real bar, not a formality.

A pass rate in that range suggests the exam rewards candidates who treat content review seriously rather than skimming a study guide the week before test day. If you want a deeper look at how this rate breaks down and what it implies about exam difficulty, read TExES 118 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows and How Hard Is the TExES 118 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.

Question Format and Why It Matters for Scoring

All 100 questions on TExES 118 are selected-response - meaning you're choosing from provided answer options rather than writing constructed responses. This format has a direct implication for scoring strategy: there's no partial credit for showing your reasoning, and every scored question is worth the same weight toward your raw score.

Because some of the 100 items are unscored field-test questions, you may occasionally encounter a question that feels oddly specific or off-topic compared to the rest. Don't let that rattle your pacing. Answer every question as if it counts, move on, and don't spend disproportionate time trying to "figure out" which items are field-test versus scored - you have no way to tell during the test.

Your total appointment time is 5 hours, which includes a 15-minute tutorial and compliance agreement plus 4 hours and 45 minutes of actual testing time. That's a generous window for 100 questions, which means time pressure is rarely the reason candidates miss 240 - content gaps usually are. Budgeting your pacing early in the appointment, rather than rushing, gives you room to double-check answers on Domain 1 items covering unfamiliar historical periods or economic concepts.

Building a Study Plan Around the 240 Target

Since Domain 1 carries 71% of the exam's weight, your study calendar should reflect that imbalance directly. A generic week-by-week template won't help you hit 240 - what helps is sequencing your review so the heaviest-weighted content gets the most repetition before test day, and lighter pedagogy review comes later once content recall is solid.

For a more detailed walkthrough of preparation strategy, including how to structure review sessions and what resources to prioritize, see the TExES 118 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. And if you want to practice against realistic question formats before test day, the full practice test platform lets you rehearse under conditions similar to the real Pearson-administered exam.

If You Fall Short: Retake Math and Timing

Missing the 240 threshold isn't the end of the road, but it does come with real costs worth planning for. Each attempt requires paying the $116 testing fee again, and you'll need to schedule a new appointment at a Pearson test center. Since TExES 118 is offered year-round by appointment, rescheduling isn't usually the bottleneck - targeted re-study is. For details on exam scheduling windows and how far in advance to book, check the TExES 118 Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling guide.

Before you retake, review your score report carefully to see how you performed relative to each domain. If your gap was concentrated in Social Studies Content, go back to primary sources, timelines, and geography/economics review rather than re-reading instructional theory. If the gap was in Foundations, Skills and Instruction, focus on applying content to classroom scenarios and source analysis practice.

It's also worth remembering the bigger picture: passing TExES 118 is one step toward earning a Texas standard classroom-teacher certificate, which is valid for five years and requires 150 continuing professional education hours to renew. Getting the passing score right the first time saves both money and momentum toward that certificate. If you're still weighing whether the certification path fits your career plans, Is the TExES 118 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and TExES 118 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown break down the full financial picture, while TExES 118 Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis looks at where this certification can lead.

You can also confirm you meet the eligibility requirements - typically approval through a Texas educator preparation program or another TEA-authorized route - before your next attempt by reviewing TExES 118 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.

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