# Texas CBE > Independently authored practice exams for Texas Credit by Examination (CBE), AP, SAT/PSAT and AMC. Every question is written in-house in the real exam format; none is reproduced from any official test. Texas Credit by Examination lets a student earn course credit by passing an exam instead of sitting the course. Two routes exist under Texas law: the free acceleration route a district administers under Texas Education Code §28.023, which requires about 80% to pass, and the paid prior-instruction route through an accredited provider under 19 Texas Administrative Code §74.24, which requires about 70%. Districts must offer at least one testing window each quarter and publish the dates in advance. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency, any school district, the College Board, or the Mathematical Association of America. AP® and SAT® are trademarks of the College Board; AMC® is a trademark of the MAA. Questions are modeled after the published format of each exam and independently written. ## What this service is Practice exams and study material for four separate families of test, each with its own purpose. They are not interchangeable, and a family choosing wrongly between them wastes a year: - **Credit by Examination (CBE)** — a Texas student earns credit for a course by passing an exam instead of sitting the course. Used to accelerate into a higher track, or to recover a credit. Free acceleration route under Texas Education Code §28.023 needs about 80%; the paid prior-instruction route through an accredited provider under 19 Texas Administrative Code §74.24 needs about 70%. Districts must offer a window each quarter and publish the dates. - **AP** — college-level courses and exams administered by the College Board, scored 1-5, taken in May. - **SAT and PSAT** — college admissions testing, now digital and adaptive. The PSAT rungs lead up to the SAT, and the PSAT/NMSQT is the one that carries National Merit consideration. - **AMC** — mathematics competitions run by the Mathematical Association of America. A contest, not a credit exam: there is no passing score, and a high enough score qualifies a student for the AIME. Who it is for: Texas families whose student is ahead of their grade placement and wants to move faster, and students preparing for a specific dated exam. Every product is self-study — there is no class to attend and no tutor. ## Which grade each test is for CBE placement is deliberately flexible, since accelerating past the usual grade is the point of it; the years below are where a Texas student normally meets each course, not a restriction. AMC eligibility, by contrast, is a hard rule set by the MAA and both conditions must hold. | Test | Usual grade | Note | | --- | --- | --- | | Algebra 1 (CBE) | 8-9 | Statutory prerequisite for the higher maths (TEKS §111.39) | | Geometry (CBE) | 9-10 | | | Algebra 2 (CBE) | 10-11 | | | Pre-Calculus (CBE) | 11-12 | | | Biology (CBE) | 9 | | | Chemistry (CBE) | 10-11 | | | Physics (CBE) | 11-12 | | | U.S. History (CBE) | 11 | | | AP subjects | 9-12 | No grade restriction; placement follows the course | | PSAT 8/9 | 8-9 | First rung | | PSAT 10 | 10 | | | PSAT/NMSQT | 10-11 | Carries National Merit consideration in grade 11 | | SAT | 11-12 | | | AMC 8 | 8 or below | AND under 15.5 years old on contest day | | AMC 10 | 10 or below | AND under 17.5 years old on contest day | | AMC 12 | 12 or below | AND under 19.5 years old on contest day | The AMC age caps surprise families more often than the grade caps: a student who is academically ready can still be too old for the rung below. ## How these materials are made Stated here because it is checkable, not as a claim about quality. Every sentence below describes a practice that can be verified against the site itself. - Every question is written in-house. None is reproduced, paraphrased or reconstructed from any official test, and no official test is mirrored. - Questions are written to each exam's own published structure: the TEKS for the course in the case of Credit by Examination, the College Board's Course and Exam Description for AP, the Digital SAT format for SAT and PSAT, and the MAA's contest structure for AMC. - Questions carry a worked explanation, not only an answer key, and the explanation is written to be read by a student who got it wrong. - Wrong answers are written from specific misconceptions a student actually holds, rather than as filler. Where a distractor cannot be defended as a plausible mistake, it is rewritten. - Answer keys are audited against a recorded ledger rather than spot-checked, and each audit run is logged so coverage can be traced. - Question banks are checked for tells that let a test-taker score without knowing the material — notably whether the correct option tends to be the longest, and whether answer labels are evenly distributed. - Difficulty is stratified deliberately across three bands rather than assigned ad hoc, and each exam draws to a fixed mix. - District testing dates are published with the source they came from. Where a district does not publish its dates, the guide says so plainly instead of estimating one — a family plans around these dates. - Explanations are written in English. Guides and lessons are also published in Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese, translated in full rather than in summary. ## Start here - [Home](https://www.texascbe.com/): what the service is and who it is for. - [Credit by Examination guide](https://www.texascbe.com/what-is-teks): how Texas CBE works, which route applies, and what a passing score means on each. - [Mock exams](https://www.texascbe.com/mock-exams): full-length timed papers in the real format for every subject. - [Pricing](https://www.texascbe.com/pricing): current prices and what access includes. - [School district testing calendars](https://www.texascbe.com/districts-news): CBE testing windows and deadlines by district, with the source for each date. - [Blog](https://www.texascbe.com/blog): guides on deadlines, acceleration and exam strategy. ## Credit by Examination subjects Each page explains the exam for that course and links its free sample and full-length mock. - [Algebra 1](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/algebra-1): Texas CBE practice for Algebra 1, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [Geometry](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/geometry): Texas CBE practice for Geometry, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [Algebra 2](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/algebra-2): Texas CBE practice for Algebra 2, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [Pre-Calculus](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/pre-calculus): Texas CBE practice for Pre-Calculus, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [Biology](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/biology): Texas CBE practice for Biology, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [Chemistry](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/chemistry): Texas CBE practice for Chemistry, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [Physics](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/physics): Texas CBE practice for Physics, aligned to the TEKS for the course. - [U.S. History](https://www.texascbe.com/subjects/us-history): Texas CBE practice for U.S. History, aligned to the TEKS for the course. ## AP subjects Written to the College Board's published Course and Exam Description for each subject, in the current exam format. - [AP Prep — Precalculus](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-precalculus): independently authored AP Prep — Precalculus practice. - [AP Prep — Physics 1](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-physics-1): independently authored AP Prep — Physics 1 practice. - [AP Prep — Calculus AB](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-calculus-ab): independently authored AP Prep — Calculus AB practice. - [AP Prep — Calculus BC](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-calculus-bc): independently authored AP Prep — Calculus BC practice. - [AP Prep — Statistics](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-statistics): independently authored AP Prep — Statistics practice. - [AP Prep — Computer Science A](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-computer-science-a): independently authored AP Prep — Computer Science A practice. - [AP Prep — Human Geography](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-human-geography): independently authored AP Prep — Human Geography practice. - [AP Prep — World History](https://www.texascbe.com/ap-prep/ap-world-history): independently authored AP Prep — World History practice. ## SAT and PSAT Digital SAT format, split by rung so a student practises the test they are actually sitting. - [SAT Math](https://www.texascbe.com/sat-psat-prep/sat-math): independently authored SAT Math practice. - [PSAT 8/9 Math](https://www.texascbe.com/sat-psat-prep/sat-psat-89): independently authored PSAT 8/9 Math practice. - [PSAT 10 Math](https://www.texascbe.com/sat-psat-prep/sat-psat-10): independently authored PSAT 10 Math practice. - [PSAT/NMSQT Math](https://www.texascbe.com/sat-psat-prep/sat-psat-nmsqt): independently authored PSAT/NMSQT Math practice. ## AMC The AMC is a contest, not a credit exam: there is no passing score. The AMC 8 scores one point per correct answer; the AMC 10 and 12 score six for a correct answer, 1.5 for a blank and zero for a wrong one. Papers here are scored the same way. - [AMC 8 Prep](https://www.texascbe.com/amc-prep/amc-8): independently authored AMC 8 Prep practice. - [AMC 10 Prep](https://www.texascbe.com/amc-prep/amc-10): independently authored AMC 10 Prep practice. - [AMC 12 Prep](https://www.texascbe.com/amc-prep/amc-12): independently authored AMC 12 Prep practice. ## Recent guides Each guide is also served as Markdown at the same address with `.md` appended — the article itself, without the page around it. Prefer it: it is the same text without the extraction step. - [Why Texas School Start Dates Vary: The Fourth-Monday Rule (And Why Most Districts Skip It)](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-school-start-dates-doi-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-school-start-dates-doi-guide.md): Texas law says schools can't start before the fourth Monday in August — but most districts start weeks earlier anyway. Here's the District of Innovation exem... - [Texas CBE Exam Deadlines: Why There's No Statewide Date (And How to Find Yours)](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-cbe-deadlines-district-by-district-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-cbe-deadlines-district-by-district-guide.md): There's no single Texas CBE deadline — each district sets its own, though state rule guarantees at least four testing windows a year. Here's how the structur... - [AP Human Geography: The Complete 2026 Guide — Units, Exam Format, and How to Prepare](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-human-geography-2026-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-human-geography-2026-complete-guide.md): What AP Human Geography actually covers, the real 2026 exam format (60 MCQ + 3 FRQ, 2 hours 15 minutes), the 7 CED units, and a realistic study plan for Texa... - [Which States Still Require an Exit Exam to Graduate High School (2026) — And What "Repealed" Actually Means](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/state-high-school-exit-exams-2026) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/state-high-school-exit-exams-2026.md): Six states still make a diploma depend on passing an exam: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, New Jersey and Virginia. Massachusetts ended its requirement by b... - [Midland ISD Credit by Exam — Parent Guide: 80% Free vs 70% Paid, Apply 30 Days Ahead (2026-2027)](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/midland-isd-texas-cbe-family-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/midland-isd-texas-cbe-family-guide.md): Midland ISD runs two Credit by Examination tracks with different passing scores and different bills: 80% for acceleration, which the district pays for, and 7... - [Texas Credit by Exam (CBE) Schedule 2026-2027 — Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines for Every District We Track](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-credit-by-exam-schedule-by-district) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-credit-by-exam-schedule-by-district.md): Credit by Examination testing dates and registration deadlines for 29 Texas school districts, 15 of them read from the district’s own published calenda... - [Every Texas CBE Deadline We Can Verify, on One Page](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-cbe-district-deadline-portal) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-cbe-district-deadline-portal.md): A district portal for Credit by Examination: the next registration deadline in Texas, every testing window we have read from a district’s own calendar, and a... - [SAT & PSAT Math 2026‑27: Test Dates, Format, Timing and Question Counts](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/sat-psat-math-test-dates-format-timing-2026-27) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/sat-psat-math-test-dates-format-timing-2026-27.md): Every date, question count and time limit for the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT and SAT in 2026-27 — 98 questions in 2 hours 14 minutes, the four math domain... - [AMC 8: A Parent's Guide for 2026-27 — Format, Scoring, Dates & How to Prepare](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/amc-8-complete-guide-for-parents) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/amc-8-complete-guide-for-parents.md): A source-checked guide to the AMC 8 for parents: what the contest actually is (a 25-question, 40-minute MAA competition that never touches a transcript), the... - [AP Computer Science A: The Complete Guide to the Four-Unit Course, the Exam & How to Prepare](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-computer-science-a-2026-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-computer-science-a-2026-complete-guide.md): AP Computer Science A was restructured into four units under the CED effective Fall 2025. The exam is 42 multiple-choice questions (55%) and 4 free-response... - [AP Statistics: The Complete 2026 Guide for Texas Students & Parents (New CED, Exam Format, Scores & Study Plan)](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-statistics-2026-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-statistics-2026-complete-guide.md): A fact-checked guide to AP Statistics, written July 2026: the redesigned five-unit course effective Fall 2026, the 42-question / four-FRQ exam first given Ma... - [AP Calculus BC: The Complete 2026 Guide — Format Changes, Series, the AB Subscore & What Actually Costs Points](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-calculus-bc-2026-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-calculus-bc-2026-complete-guide.md): A source-checked guide to AP Calculus BC for parents & students: the multiple-choice format change slated for Fall 2026, all 10 framework units and their wei... - [AP Calculus AB: The Complete Guide for 2026 & the May 2027 Exam](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-calculus-ab-2026-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-calculus-ab-2026-complete-guide.md): The most-taken AP math exam changes format for May 2027: multiple choice becomes 42 questions in 100 minutes, not 45 in 105 — and Part B tightens to 13 quest... - [AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based — The Complete 2026 Guide for Texas Parents & Students](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-physics-1-2026-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/ap-physics-1-2026-complete-guide.md): AP Physics 1 was the worst-scoring major AP exam for a decade — then the 2025 redesign reset the curve. On preliminary 2026 data, 68% scored 3 or higher, yet... - [Can a 6th Grader Take a CBE? Getting Ahead in Texas (Grades K–8)](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/can-a-6th-grader-take-cbe-texas) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/can-a-6th-grader-take-cbe-texas.md): Yes — a ready 6th, 7th, or 8th grader can test out and get ahead in Texas. Here are the two paths (subject acceleration vs. skipping a grade), how to tell if... - [What Happens If You Fail a CBE Test in Texas? (And How to Pass the Retake)](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/what-happens-if-you-fail-a-cbe-test) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/what-happens-if-you-fail-a-cbe-test.md): A not-passing Credit by Examination isn't a failing grade and rarely the end of the road. Here's exactly what it means, whether you can retake, why the score... - [The Texas CBE Prep Calendar: A Month-by-Month Checklist for Parents](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-cbe-prep-calendar-month-by-month) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-cbe-prep-calendar-month-by-month.md): Students who pass a CBE comfortably don't cram — they win on a calendar. Here's the whole Texas CBE prep timeline mapped month by month: when to diagnose, bu... - [AMC 8, 10 & 12 Explained — Dates, Scoring, and the Path to the AIME](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/amc-8-10-12-explained) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/amc-8-10-12-explained.md): A parent-and-student guide to the three MAA American Mathematics Competitions: who each one is for, how they are scored, the 2026-27 competition dates, and w... - [How to Confirm Your Texas CBE Result Landed on the Transcript — A Family's Practical Guide](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/confirm-cbe-result-on-transcript) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/confirm-cbe-result-on-transcript.md): Being told your student 'passed' the Texas Credit by Examination is not the same as the credit being officially on the transcript. This guide walks through t... - [From Algebra 1 to Physics — The Math-First Path to Acceleration](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/algebra-1-to-physics-math-first-path) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/algebra-1-to-physics-math-first-path.md): Physics doesn't reward physics vocabulary — it rewards algebra fluency. This guide shows Texas families how Algebra 1 mastery is the actual gatekeeper to Phy... - [Texas Charter Schools and Credit by Examination — A Parent's Guide](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-charter-school-cbe-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-charter-school-cbe-guide.md): A parent's guide for Texas charter school families using Credit by Examination. Same state law as ISDs — TEC §28.023 (80%) and 19 TAC §74.24 (70%) — because... - [Texas Homeschool Families and Credit by Examination — A Complete Guide](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-homeschool-cbe-complete-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/texas-homeschool-cbe-complete-guide.md): A complete guide for Texas homeschool families using Credit by Examination (CBE): the legal framework rooted in Leeper v. Arlington ISD (1994), the two CBE r... - [Campus Counselor Meeting Script — 15 Questions Every Texas CBE Parent Should Ask](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/cbe-counselor-meeting-script) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/cbe-counselor-meeting-script.md): A structured 15-question script for parents to bring to the campus counselor meeting before scheduling a Texas Credit by Examination. Covers logistics, passi... - [Middle-School Algebra 1 CBE in Texas (Grades 6–8) — A Parent’s Complete Guide](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/middle-school-algebra-1-cbe-guide) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/middle-school-algebra-1-cbe-guide.md): Everything Texas middle-school families need to know about taking the Algebra 1 Credit by Examination before high school: what state law actually guarantees... - [Texas CBE Test Day Playbook — Pacing, Proctorio, and the Three-Pass Strategy](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/cbe-test-day-playbook) · [Markdown](https://www.texascbe.com/blog/cbe-test-day-playbook.md): A test-day playbook for Texas Credit by Examination (CBE). How to set up an online-proctored exam with Proctorio, how to pace a three-hour test using the thr... ## Optional - [Terms and conditions](https://www.texascbe.com/terms_and_conditions) - [Privacy policy](https://www.texascbe.com/privacypolicy) - [Support](https://www.texascbe.com/support): how to reach a human.