TExES Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish Review

If you need help studying for the TExES Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) Spanish exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.

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What’s on the Exam?
How to Register
Exam Scores
FAQs

What’s on the Exam?

Questions: 91
Time limit: 4 hours and 45 minutes

There are 91 questions on the exam, which are grouped into four competencies, and the time limit is 4 hours and 45 minutes.

The questions are split into two types:

Selected-Response

84 questions

Selected-response questions require you to select the correct answer from a list of options. Multiple-choice questions are the most common example, but you may also see true-or-false questions and “matching” questions, which ask you to match terms or concepts with their definitions.

Constructed-Response

7 questions

The constructed-response questions require you to write or speak your answer instead of selecting from a list of choices.

Note: Every question and their accompanying answer choices are written in Spanish.

Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.

1. Listening Comprehension
21% of the exam

For these questions, you’ll hear audio clips in Spanish, each played twice. First, you’ll hear the audio and preview four related questions. Then, you’ll hear the audio again before answering each question individually.

It’s important to note that you can’t control the audio playback, so listen carefully. You’ll have 40 seconds to preview questions and 20 seconds to answer each one. You also can’t review answers, so choose carefully.

These are the main things you’ll be tested on:

Understanding the main ideas and details in spoken discourse
Understanding basic information in spoken discourse in a variety of contexts
Evaluating information in spoken discourse
Inferring meaning from spoken communications

2. Reading Comprehension
26% of the exam

For these questions, you’ll be given several passages to read in Spanish. Each passage is paired with at least one question related to the passage.

These are the main things you’ll be tested on:

Understanding the main ideas and details of a written passage
Understanding literal content of a written passage
Making inferences and interpretations
Applying critical reading skills

3. Oral Expression
29% of the exam

For these questions, you’ll be given five assignments that measure your Spanish-speaking abilities:

Simulated conversation
Question and answer (part 1)
Question and answer (part 2)
Oral presentation
Support a situation/opinion

For each one, you’ll be told how much time you have to prepare your answer and how long you’ll have to speak. There aren’t really any right or wrong answers as long as you follow the directions and provide a thorough response.

These are the main things you’ll be tested on:

Explaining, describing, and narrating skills
Control of verb tenses
General and content-area vocabulary
Using spoken language with a variety of audiences in culturally appropriate ways
Responding to everyday situations in the bilingual classroom

4. Written Expression
24% of the exam

For these questions, you’ll be given three assignments that measure your Spanish-writing abilities:

Response to letter, memo, or email
Lesson plan
Opinion/position essay

For each one, you’ll be asked to write 50-150 words in response to a given topic or scenario. There aren’t really any right or wrong answers as long as you follow the directions and provide a thorough response.

These are the main things you’ll be tested on:

Explaining, describing, and narrating skills
Developing written lesson plans and instructional materials
General and content-area vocabulary
Grammar and syntax
Persuading using written discourse

Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT)

The TExES BTLPT Spanish exam is a computer-adaptive test. Basically, this means that the questions will become harder or easier as you go through the exam, based on how well you’re answering the questions.

For example, say you answered the first question correctly. The first question is of medium difficulty, so the next question will be slightly harder. Then, let’s say you answered the second question incorrectly. The next question would then be a medium question.

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How to Register

To get started with your registration, you’ll need to create an account on the NES website. You can then register for the exam and schedule a test date through your account.

When you submit your registration, you’ll need to pay the $116 testing fee.

Exam Scores

The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:

For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 100 and 300.

You’ll need to get a final score of at least 240 to pass the exam.

The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.

FAQs

How many questions are on the TExES BTLPT Spanish exam?

The exam contains 91 questions.

What is the time limit for the TExES BTLPT Spanish exam?

The exam is timed at 4 hours and 45 minutes.

What is the passing score for the TExES BTLPT Spanish exam?

You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 240 to pass.

How much does the TExES BTLPT Spanish exam cost?

The testing fee is $116.