Students take the TAKS every year beginning in third grade. Students must meet or exceed the standards of the TEKS in reading and mathematics before matriculating from fifth and eighth grades. In fifth grade a student must correctly answer 29 of 42 reading questions and 28 of 44 math questions. In eighth grade a student must correctly answer 34 of 48 reading questions and 29 of 50 math questions. TAKS scores for all other grade levels provide teachers, parents and the TEA with a measure of how well students and schools are meeting the TEKS curriculum passing standards, but do not affect the students' ability to graduate. Passing scores vary between grade levels.
When a student's TAKS confidential report indicates that he "Met Standard" for a subject, the student displayed sufficient proficiency to comply with the TEKS curriculum. The student possesses an understanding of the material taught and demonstrates the ability to matriculate to the next grade level with little or no difficulty grasping new material. A "Met Standard" score indicates a minimum numerical score of 60 to 70 percent depending on the grade level.
A child labeled "Did Not Meet Standard" scored below 60 or 70 percent on the subject tested. Teacher's use this score to identify children who may need additional help to succeed at the next level. If the student receives a "Did Not Meet Standard" on reading and/or mathematics in either the fifth or eighth grade, the student participates in additional instruction and retakes the TAKS one month later. An unsatisfactory score on the second test indicates that the student should repeat the grade.
Students with a high level of academic achievement receive a score of "Commended Performance." This passing standard reflects a numerical score of 90 percent or better depending on the grade level. These students exceed the standards set forth in the TEKS curriculum.