All high school students must pass the exit-level test to graduate. The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) is an 11th grade exit test that assesses English language arts, math, science, and social studies skills. It requires knowledge of algebra, geometry, biology, integrated physics and chemistry, English 11, and early American and U.S. history. If you are a high school student living in Texas, you must take the exit-level test at a high school in the district in which you live. If you are a high school student living outside of Texas, TTUISD staff will work with you to determine an appropriate testing site. A procedure has been established to allow bonded proctors to administer the test for students residing outside of Texas. You must pay the bonding fee and ensure the process is completed prior to the testing date. For more information about this procedure, call the TTUISD counselor or browse the TAKS website.

If you reside in Texas, you can make the arrangements to take the TAKS at a school in the district in which you reside. The TAKS test is given four times during the year: March, April, July, and October. In-state registration can be done online or registration materials can be obtained from TTUISD. The instructions will include the times and dates for each test. When registering, be sure to indicate that you are a Texas Tech university Correspondence Diploma Program student. Please contact our TTUISD TAKS Counselor if you have questions. Our TTUISD TAKS Counselor will assist students residing outside of Texas to determine an appropriate testing-site.

Elementary school students should take the TAKS test in the third and fifth grades. Middle school students should take the TAKS test in the eighth grade. High school students normally take the TAKS exit-level test during their junior year. All sections of the TAKS exit-level test must be taken and passed in order to receive a high school diploma. The following courses are recommended to be completed before taking the TAKS exit-level test:

• English 9A & B, 10A & B, and 11A & B
• Geometry 1A & B
• Algebra 1A & B
• IPC 1A & B
• U.S. History 1A & B
• World History or World Geography
• Biology 1A & B

There are review workbooks available at your local bookstores that are designed to assist you in preparing for the TAKS exit-level test. These workbooks are not required to take the test but might be a good review if you feel you are not adequately prepared. You can also obtain copies of released tests at the TAKS website.

If you have passed some, but not all, sections of the TAKS exit-level test (math, science, social studies, English language arts), it is your responsibility to make arrangements to take and pass the remaining sections. You may not retake the sections you have passed. All sections of the TAKS exit-level test must be taken and passed in order to graduate from TTUISD High School.