Exam Overview

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The Social Studies 7-12 exam is given by computer at Pearson VUE test centers in Texas and across the country, by appointment throughout the year. Every question is selected response with four answer choices, and there is no written assignment.

Key Facts About TExES Social Studies 7-12 (232)

Feature	Details
Full name	TExES Social Studies 7-12
Test code	232
Questions	140 selected-response questions
Answer choices	Four (A to D), one correct answer
Appointment time	5 hours, including a 15-minute tutorial and compliance agreement
Testing time	About 4 hours 45 minutes
Format	Computer-administered test (CAT)
Fee	$116
Score scale	100 to 300
Passing score	240
Certificate	Social Studies Grades 7-12

The Seven Domains

Domains, Weights and Approximate Questions

Domain	Weight	About How Many Questions	Competencies
I World History	15%	21	001 to 004
II U.S. History	20%	28	005 to 009
III Texas History	13%	18	010 to 012
IV Geography, Culture and the Behavioral and Social Sciences	13%	18	013 to 016
V Government and Citizenship	13%	18	017 to 019
VI Economics and Science, Technology and Society	13%	18	020 to 022
VII Social Studies Foundations, Skills, Research and Instruction	13%	18	023 to 026

The three history domains are organized by era; the other four are organized by discipline. Questions in any domain can reach across time: a government question may ask about the Magna Carta, and an economics question may ask about the Industrial Revolution.

How the Test Is Scored

Your raw score is the number of scored questions you answer correctly. It is converted to a scaled score from 100 to 300, and you need 240 to pass. Some questions are being tried out for future forms and do not count, but they are not marked, so treat every question as if it counts.

There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question.

What Kinds of Questions to Expect

Single-answer multiple choice with four choices; this is…

Single-answer multiple choice with four choices; this is the only format and the format used in this guide's practice tests

Direct knowledge questions

the purpose of a law, the holding of a court case, the idea of a philosopher or economist, the effect of an event

Source questions

a short excerpt from a law code, letter, speech, newspaper or court opinion, followed by a question on its meaning, purpose, point of view or context

Map, graph and table questions

reading a thematic map, a supply-and-demand graph or a table of economic or population data and drawing a supported conclusion

Classification questions

a list of statements to title, sort or match to a concept

Comparison and cause-and-effect questions across places and…

Comparison and cause-and-effect questions across places and eras

Instruction questions

a grade 7 to 12 classroom scenario asking for the best strategy, source, organizer or assessment

Exam Tip: Many wrong choices are true statements about the wrong era, the wrong place, the wrong branch of government or the wrong economic model. Before you choose, check that the choice fits exactly what the question asks about.

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