Prepare for the TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) Certification Exam

This course provides comprehensive preparation for the TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) certification exam. It is designed for educators seeking certification to teach social studies in grades 4 through 8 and covers all 7 competencies across the two Pearson domains: Social Studies Content and Social Studies Foundations, Skills, and Instruction.

AI Study Buddy and Smart Study Dashboard

Study guide topics include an embedded AI Study Buddy that can explain concepts, give classroom examples, define key terms, and quiz you on the competency you are studying. Practice quizzes and exam pages suppress AI support by design.

Your Smart Study Dashboard tracks performance across every competency with progress indicators and targeted next steps. The dashboard also includes Verónica, your AI tutor, who helps you prioritize study based on your course performance data.

Practice Quizzes and Diagnostic

Each competency includes a practice quiz with immediate feedback on every question. Domain review quizzes help you synthesize learning across multiple competencies. The course begins with a 10-question Welcome Diagnostic Quiz that gives you a quick readiness snapshot and helps you decide where to start.

Expert-Reviewed Question Bank

Practice with 300 scenario-based selected-response items aligned to the Pearson TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) framework and the Texas Social Studies TEKS for grades 4-8. The question bank was audited in May 2026 for answer-key balance, historical accuracy, civics precision, geography/economics accuracy, and visible item-writing artifacts.

Course Capstone vs. Pearson Exam

The live Pearson TExES 118 exam has 100 selected-response questions, a 5-hour appointment, and 4 hours and 45 minutes of testing time. The passing score is 240 on a 100-300 scale.

This course uses an 80-question timed capstone in 5 hours. It preserves the official 71% / 29% domain weighting while allowing multiple lower-overlap practice forms and enough time to review explanations deeply. As test day approaches, practice toward Pearson pacing, about 2 minutes and 50 seconds per question.

Earn a Verifiable Digital Credential

Pass the course capstone and earn the TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) Mastery digital credential, issued through our Proof of Knowledge (POK) verification system. The credential includes:

A downloadable, branded PDF certificate with your name and the exam name
A unique QR code that verifies the credential was issued by Enabling Learning
A shareable link for LinkedIn, hiring portals, university applications, or institutional records
One-of-a-kind issuance, each credential has a unique identifier and counterfeit copies fail QR verification

The credential documents demonstrated mastery on a timed course capstone aligned to the Pearson competency blueprint.

Course Structure

Domain I: Social Studies Content (71%)
Competency 1: History
Competency 2: Geography
Competency 3: Economics
Competency 4: Government and Citizenship
Competency 5: Culture; Science, Technology, and Society
Domain II: Social Studies Foundations, Skills, and Instruction (29%)
Competency 6: Social Studies Foundations and Skills
Competency 7: Social Studies Instruction and Assessment

What Is Included

Study guides for all 7 competencies
300 scenario-based practice questions
AI Study Buddy on study guide topics and Verónica support in the dashboard
Practice quizzes, domain review quizzes, and a 10-question diagnostic
80-question timed course capstone, 5 hours
POK digital credential after passing the capstone
18 CPE hours of professional development

AI Data Notice

This course uses AI-powered study tools and practice activities. AI chat prompts are processed to generate responses. Course progress and quiz performance are stored in the learning platform to power the dashboard and study recommendations.

Course authored by Luis Hernández, EdD candidate. Enabling Learning LLC is approved by TEA as CPE Provider #903-017. Course aligned to the Pearson TExES Social Studies 4-8 (118) framework and Texas Social Studies TEKS for grades 4-8, 19 TAC Chapter 113.