Test Preparation Tutorials
Take advantage of these tutorials to practice using these tools before test day. They will walk you through how to use some of the tools you may encounter while taking a TExES test.
Alternate Character Toolbar Tutorials
The TExES program has several computer-administered language tests with Writing sections that require you to enter written responses on the computer.
- Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish (190)
- Languages Other Than English (LOTE) EC-12 — French (610), German (611) and Spanish (613)
An alternate character toolbar for inputting accents and alternate characters is built into the tests, specific to the language being tested.
The tutorials below let you practice using the toolbar for each language. If you are taking any of these tests, you are strongly urged to view the appropriate tutorial and practice using the toolbar before the day of your test.
Choose the appropriate link below to launch the tutorial for the language in which you will be testing. You will be presented with a blank area to practice typing and inserting alternate characters and accents in that language. The toolbar may be repositioned anywhere on the screen. You may type anything you like; your response will not be saved. For example, you may answer the question "Why are you taking this test?" When you are finished, choose Exit to close the tutorial.
French Alternate Character Toolbar Tutorial
German Alternate Character Toolbar Tutorial
Spanish Alternate Character Toolbar Tutorial
Note: To execute these tutorials, you need Java Runtime Environment version 1.7.45 installed on your computer. If you do not have Java Runtime Environment version 1.7.45, a free Windows download will install it on your computer, or you can visit the Java website to install it. To avoid issues with the download, be sure to uninstall all Java versions in your system and reboot your computer before downloading version 1.7.45.
When you select any of the tutorial links above, a security prompt asks you to allow the program to run. This is normal. These toolbar tutorials run the same version of Java that is on the actual tests to ensure that the tutorials accurately reflect the testing experience. When the prompt appears, click Allow.
Additionally, if your security settings are set very high, a second security prompt asks you to run the application. Again, this is not unique to these tutorials. When this prompt appears, click Run.
If you are unsure if your computer has Java Runtime Environment version 1.7.45, navigate to Start/Control Panel/Java. From the Java Control Panel popup window, select the Java tab, then the View button. The Java Runtime Environments Setting window displays the currently installed versions of Java.
Online Calculator Tutorial
An online calculator is now part of the testing software for some of the TExES tests that require the use of a graphing or scientific calculator. Two online calculator tutorials are available for you to practice using the online calculator prior to taking a test. They are:
- a scientific online calculator tutorial
- a graphing online calculator tutorial
Once you request access to the tutorial, you will be sent an activation key that is good for 90 days of practice use.