The Texas Algebra 2 Credit by Exam (CBE): A Complete Guide to Format, TEKS Topics, and How to Prepare (2026)
Algebra 2 is one of the most consequential courses in the Texas math sequence. It sits after Geometry and before Pre-Calculus, and it is the step that quietly sets up everything that follows — Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, and the college-readiness math that admissions offices and placement tests care about. For students who are confident with functions and equations, taking the Algebra 2 Credit by Exam (CBE) can be a smart way to demonstrate mastery and keep the math pathway moving.
This guide walks through where Algebra 2 fits, what the CBE looks like, the actual TEKS topics it covers, the topics students most often underestimate, and a calm, structured way to prepare.
Where Algebra 2 sits in the math ladder
The standard Texas high-school math progression runs Algebra 1 → Geometry → Algebra 2 → Pre-Calculus, with AP Calculus beyond that for students on an accelerated track. Algebra 2 is the bridge: it takes the function families introduced in Algebra 1 and deepens them, then adds the new families — exponential, logarithmic, rational, and polynomial functions — that Pre-Calculus and Calculus assume you already understand. Skipping ahead without solid Algebra 2 fluency is one of the most common reasons students struggle later in Pre-Calc and AP Calculus.
That is also why earning Algebra 2 credit by exam is meaningful: it is not a "filler" credit. Solid Algebra 2 readiness is part of broad college-readiness math, and the topics show up well beyond the high-school classroom.
The Algebra 2 CBE format
The Algebra 2 CBE follows the same general structure as other Texas CBE subjects:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple-choice, online, proctored (e.g., Proctorio at home) |
| Time limit | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Number of questions | Typically around 50 multiple-choice questions (counts vary by exam — verify current specs with UT High School / your campus) |
| Passing — acceleration | 80% for credit by exam without prior instruction (TEC §28.023(c)) |
| Passing — recovery | 70% for credit by exam with prior instruction (TAC §74.24) |
| Calculator & formula sheet | Graphing-calculator and formula-chart policies vary by subject — verify with UTHS |
The dual-pathway thresholds matter for planning. If you are testing out of a course you have never taken (acceleration), the bar is 80%. If you previously took the course and are recovering credit, the bar is 70%. Confirm which pathway applies to your situation with your campus counselor before you register.
What's tested: the real Algebra 2 §111.40 TEKS topics
The Algebra 2 CBE mirrors the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Algebra 2, codified in TEKS §111.40. Here are the knowledge-and-skills groupings, organized by semester:
| Semester A | Semester B |
|---|---|
|
|
Because the CBE is comprehensive, a strong study plan covers both semesters rather than just the half a student feels confident about.
Topics students commonly underestimate
A few Algebra 2 topics tend to surprise students who otherwise feel comfortable with functions. These are worth extra attention:
- Logarithms and solving log / exponential equations. Logarithms are often the newest, least-practiced family on the exam. Converting between exponential and logarithmic form, applying log properties, and solving equations that mix the two takes deliberate practice.
- Rational functions and asymptotes. Identifying domain restrictions, vertical and horizontal asymptotes, and holes — and reading them off a graph — trips up students who learned the algebra but not the graphical behavior.
- Complex numbers. Operations with i, complex solutions to quadratics, and the connection between the discriminant and the nature of the roots are easy to under-rehearse.
- Conic sections. Circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas — recognizing each from its equation and key features — often gets squeezed into the end of the course and receives the least review.
A simple way to prepare: diagnose → focus → confirm
You do not need to re-study every topic equally. A focused, three-step loop tends to make preparation more effective:
- Diagnose. Take a full-length practice exam first, under realistic conditions, and look at your results by TEKS category. This tells you where you actually stand instead of where you assume you stand.
- Focus. Spend most of your study time on the two or three weakest categories — often something like logarithms, rational functions, or conic sections. Drill those, read the step-by-step explanations, and re-test just those areas.
- Confirm. Take another full-length, timed practice exam to confirm your weak areas have come up and that your pacing fits inside the 3-hour window.
How Texas CBE™ helps
Texas CBE™ is an independent practice platform built around exactly this loop:
- TEKS-aligned Algebra 2 practice questions covering every §111.40 grouping, with full-length mock exams modeled after the official CBE format.
- Per-TEKS-category scoring, so you can see precisely which of the eight topic areas need work.
- Step-by-step explanations for every question, plus smart question rotation so you keep seeing fresh problems.
- Free sample questions on every subject, no signup required.
- A 5-language platform (English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese) for families who prefer to review explanations in another language.
Full-course access is normally $29.99 for 6 months per CBE subject; with the current launch discount of 20%, that is an effective $23.99 — typically less than a single CBE retake fee.
This post is general guidance based on publicly available information. Exam format, question counts, passing thresholds, fees, and scheduling are set by the testing provider (such as UT High School) and individual Texas school districts, and change over time. Texas CBE™ is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency, UT High School, the College Board, or any school district. Always verify current requirements with your campus counselor and official sources before registering for any exam.