- TX PACT 738 is the Pre-Admission Content Test in Life Science for grades 7-12, coded 738 by the Texas Education Agency.
- The exam has 125 selected-response questions across five domains, with Genetics and Evolution weighted heaviest at 27%.
- A scaled score of 240 is required to pass, and the base exam fee is $106 through Pearson VUE.
- PACT proves content readiness for an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) - it is not itself a teaching certificate.
What TX PACT 738 Actually Stands For
"PACT" is the acronym for the Pre-Admission Content Test, a program created and overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The "738" is simply the test code TEA assigned to one specific subject-area exam: Life Science: Grades 7-12. So when someone says "TX PACT 738," they mean the exact content exam that checks whether a prospective secondary science teacher understands life science well enough to be admitted into an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) in Texas.
It is easy to confuse this with other credentials that happen to share the same acronym or number pattern, but for Texas educators, TX PACT 738 refers to nothing other than this Life Science exam. If you want the full backstory on how this fits into the broader PACT system, TX PACT 738 Certification lays out the bigger picture, and What Is TX PACT 738? covers the basics for anyone just starting their research.
Who Administers the Exam
TEA owns the PACT program, but day-to-day test delivery is handled by Pearson through its network of Pearson VUE test centers. That means candidates book their appointment, pay their fee, and sit for the exam through Pearson's system, while TEA sets the policy framework - who must take it, what passing looks like, and how it connects to EPP admission decisions.
This dual structure matters when you're troubleshooting registration issues or trying to understand deadlines. Policy questions (who needs to test, GPA thresholds, credit requirements) trace back to TEA; scheduling, fees, and test-day logistics trace back to Pearson VUE.
The Five Domains Behind the Name
The "738" designation maps to an official framework with five domains and 15 competencies. Each domain carries an approximate weight, meaning the exam isn't evenly distributed across topics - some areas simply matter more for passing.
Domain 1: Nature of Science (20%)
Covers scientific inquiry, experimental design, and how scientific knowledge is built and revised.
- Understanding controls, variables, and valid experimental conclusions
Domain 2: Biochemistry and Cell Biology (13%)
The smallest-weighted domain, but still tested - covers cellular structures, processes, and molecular-level biology.
- Cell organelles, membrane function, and metabolic pathways
Domain 3: Genetics and Evolution (27%)
The largest domain by far, nearly double most others. This is where a disproportionate share of exam questions will live.
- Inheritance patterns, molecular genetics, and mechanisms of evolutionary change
Domain 4: Biological Unity and Diversity (20%)
Classification systems, organism structure and function, and comparisons across taxonomic groups.
- How diverse organisms share common biological themes
Domain 5: Ecology and Environment (20%)
Ecosystem dynamics, energy flow, population interactions, and human impact on environments.
- Trophic levels, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological relationships
Because Genetics and Evolution alone accounts for more than a quarter of the exam, it deserves proportionally more study time than any single domain. For a competency-by-competency breakdown of all five areas, see TX PACT 738 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 5 Content Areas.
Exam Format and Question Style
TX PACT 738 is a computer-administered exam consisting of 125 selected-response questions. Some unscored field-test items may be mixed in to gather data for future exam versions - you won't be able to tell which questions are scored and which are experimental, so every question deserves full attention.
Total testing time is 3 hours, but plan for a full 3 hours 15 minutes at the test center once you account for the tutorial and compliance agreement at the start of the appointment. An on-screen scientific calculator is provided, so you don't need to bring your own device or worry about calculator policy violations.
Key Takeaway
Pace yourself against 125 questions in 3 hours - roughly 1.4 minutes per item on average, though content-heavy Genetics and Evolution questions may take longer to reason through.
Registration, Fees, and Scheduling
The base exam fee is $106, paid through the Pearson registration system. Testing is available year-round by appointment, both at Texas locations and at Pearson VUE centers nationwide, which gives flexibility to candidates who may be completing coursework outside the state.
Once you register, you must schedule and complete the exam within 170 days of registration - this isn't an open-ended window, so plan your study timeline around that deadline rather than letting it slip. For a full cost breakdown including what to budget beyond the base fee, check TX PACT 738 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown, and for scheduling windows and deadlines specifically, see TX PACT 738 Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Who Actually Needs This Exam
TX PACT 738 exists for candidates entering or transferring into a Texas EPP to become a secondary Life Science teacher. To be eligible, you need a bachelor's degree or final-semester standing, plus a TEA ID.
Not every EPP candidate is required to take it. PACT becomes mandatory for admission when a candidate's GPA falls below 2.5, or when they have fewer than 15 relevant subject-area semester credits. Individual EPPs can layer on additional requirements beyond this baseline, so it's worth checking with your specific program. The full eligibility picture - including how GPA and credit thresholds interact - is covered in TX PACT 738 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Retake Rules and Attempt Limits
If you don't pass on the first try, you must wait at least 30 days before retesting, and your prior results need to be posted to ECOS before you can register again. Candidates affiliated with an EPP also need retest approval from that program before scheduling another attempt.
There's an important nuance around attempt limits: PACT taken for EPP admission or for charter-school subject-area assignments is exempt from the standard five-attempt limit. However, candidates in intensive pre-service pathways remain subject to that five-attempt cap. Knowing which category you fall into matters before you plan multiple retake attempts.
To gauge how likely a first-attempt pass is and where most candidates struggle, review the statewide data in TX PACT 738 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows, and confirm exactly what score you're aiming for in TX PACT 738 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Test code | 738 |
| Subject | Life Science, Grades 7-12 |
| Question count | 125 selected-response |
| Testing time | 3 hours (3:15 total appointment) |
| Passing scaled score | 240 |
| Base fee | $106 |
| Domains | 5 (15 competencies) |
| Scheduling window | 170 days from registration |
Mapping a Study Plan to the Name
Because the "738" designation is tied directly to five weighted domains, the smartest prep strategy allocates time proportionally rather than treating every topic equally. Genetics and Evolution at 27% deserves the largest single block of study time, while Biochemistry and Cell Biology at 13% can reasonably get less.
Nature of Science + Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- Review experimental design and inquiry concepts (20% weight)
- Cover cellular structures and molecular processes (13% weight)
Genetics and Evolution
- Dedicate the longest stretch to this 27%-weighted domain
- Work through inheritance patterns and evolutionary mechanisms in depth
Biological Unity and Diversity + Ecology and Environment
- Compare organism structure and classification (20% weight)
- Study ecosystem dynamics and cycles (20% weight)
Full-Length Practice and Review
- Simulate the 125-question, 3-hour format under timed conditions
- Revisit weak competencies before your 170-day scheduling deadline closes
For a structured week-by-week plan built around these exact weights, see TX PACT 738 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. If you're still deciding how challenging this exam is relative to your background, How Hard Is the TX PACT 738 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 breaks down what makes it demanding. And when you're ready to test your readiness, practice questions modeled on the real exam format can help you gauge where you stand before test day.
Key Takeaway
Don't split study time evenly across all five domains - Genetics and Evolution alone carries more weight than Biochemistry and Cell Biology plus one other domain combined.
Frequently Asked Questions
738 is the test code TEA assigned specifically to the Life Science: Grades 7-12 Pre-Admission Content Test, distinguishing it from other PACT subject exams.
No. It's an admission exam used by Educator Preparation Programs to verify content readiness before or during entry into the program; certification comes later through the EPP pathway.
Not automatically. It's required when a candidate's GPA is below 2.5 or when they have fewer than 15 relevant subject-area semester credits; individual EPPs may add further requirements.
Five domains spanning 15 competencies: Nature of Science, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution, Biological Unity and Diversity, and Ecology and Environment.
It's administered by Pearson at Pearson VUE test centers in Texas and nationwide, with year-round appointment availability.
Understanding what TX PACT 738 stands for is really about understanding the pathway it unlocks: content mastery in Life Science that clears the way into a Texas Educator Preparation Program. From here, exploring the TX PACT 738 Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis or weighing Is the TX PACT 738 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 can help you see the bigger career picture, while focused practice tests can help you turn this domain breakdown into a passing score.