World History Credit by Examination in Texas — Complete Study Guide (TEKS §113.42)
What is the World History Credit by Examination?
Texas high-school students seeking to earn credit in World History Studies outside of the traditional classroom have two established pathways under Texas Education Code §28.023 and 19 TAC §74.24:
- Acceleration exam (no prior instruction, TEC §28.023): passing score of 80%, offered free through the district (once per subject per year).
- Credit-recovery exam (prior instruction, 19 TAC §74.24): passing score of 70%, offered through approved providers UT High School (UTHS) and Texas Tech University K-12 (TTU K-12), for a per-exam fee.
World History counts as one full credit (1.0) within the four-credit social-studies requirement of the Texas Foundation High School Program. Students commonly take World History in 10th grade, but the CBE route lets accelerated or transferring students earn the credit outside the classroom schedule.
TEKS §113.42 — What the Exam Covers
The World History Studies course is defined by 19 TAC §113.42. The exam splits chronologically into two semesters:
- Semester A: from earliest human civilizations (~8000 BCE) through the Middle Ages and the transition to early modernity (~1450 CE) — covering ancient river-valley civilizations, classical Greece and Rome, the spread of major world religions, the medieval empires of Byzantium and Islam, Song China and the Mongol expansion, medieval Europe, and the trans-Saharan and Indian-Ocean commercial networks.
- Semester B: from the Age of Exploration (~1450 CE) through the present — covering the Renaissance and Reformation, the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, the Atlantic revolutions (American, French, Latin American), the Industrial Revolution, 19th-century imperialism, the two World Wars, the Cold War, decolonization, globalization, and 21st-century developments.
Both semesters test across the same eight TEKS reporting strands: History, Geography, Economics, Government, Citizenship, Culture, Science & Technology, and Social Studies Skills.
Exam Format at UT High School / Texas Tech K-12
The official CBE format at UTHS and TTU K-12 for each semester includes:
- 100 multiple-choice questions covering all eight TEKS strands.
- 2 essay prompts requiring extended written responses on major historical themes and interpretations.
- 3-hour total time limit.
- 130 total possible points combining multiple-choice and essay scores.
Important: our practice covers the multiple-choice portion only. Essay preparation should be developed separately with a teacher, tutor, or writing-focused review resource.
How to Prepare with Texas CBE™
Our World History practice module provides independently authored multiple-choice questions modeled after the official CBE format, organized by the same TEKS reporting categories that structure the exam. Every question includes a detailed explanation citing specific historical events, dates, and figures — not just an answer key, but a structured way to build the underlying knowledge.
Practice by semester, by TEKS strand, or via full-length mock exams that mirror the 100-question official format. All content is original and TEKS-driven — we do not mirror sample questions from the official providers.
Two-Semester Study Plan
For students preparing for both semesters, a common six-to-eight-week structure works well:
- Weeks 1–2 — Foundations: the Neolithic Revolution, river-valley civilizations, classical Greece and Rome, the origins of major world religions.
- Weeks 3–4 — Medieval world: Byzantine and Islamic empires, Song and Mongol Asia, medieval Europe, trans-Saharan and Indian-Ocean trade.
- Weeks 5–6 — Early modern to 19th century: Age of Exploration, Renaissance and Reformation, Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, Atlantic revolutions, Industrial Revolution.
- Weeks 7–8 — 20th and 21st century: imperialism, world wars, Cold War, decolonization, globalization, contemporary issues.
Alternate between focused strand practice and full-length mock exams throughout to keep both recall depth and pacing endurance in shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the FAQ section below (or expand your browser view) for the most common questions about the World History CBE — pathway differences, provider choice, credit implications, and how our practice materials fit into a broader study plan.