TELPAS practice test for 8th and 9th grade
Grades 8 and 9 share a reading and writing test. For listening and speaking, grade 8 is grouped with grades 6–7 and grade 9 with grades 10–12, so the listening and speaking practice here sits between those two levels.
The reading, listening and editing questions below are checked as you go, with an explanation after every question. Written responses and speaking cannot be scored automatically. On the real test they are scored against a rubric, so those pages give you the prompt, the rubric and a worked sample instead of a score. Practice one part at a time to get used to a single kind of question, or take a mixed practice test. The real TELPAS is two tests, so there are two here: listening, and reading with writing.
Mixed practice tests
Listening practice test
Every listening question for this grade cluster from start to finish, like the listening questions on the real listening and speaking test, with an explanation after every question.
Start the mixed practice test →Reading and writing practice test
Reading passages and editing questions together, as on the real reading and writing test, with an explanation after every question. The written responses are on the writing page.
Start the mixed practice test →
Practice one part at a time
Reading
Literary and informational passages with questions on word meaning, understanding, and analysis, grouped by the three reading reporting categories.
Practice Reading →
Listening
Short spoken directions, conversations, announcements and lessons, each followed by questions. A written transcript is available under each passage.
Practice Listening →
Writing
Written-response prompts with a rubric and a sample answer, plus one-point editing questions that are checked as you go. Written responses are not scored here, but you can ask for AI practice feedback on one.
Practice Writing →
Speaking
Speaking prompts with the rubric and a sample answer. Record yourself and play it back, with optional AI practice feedback from the live transcript. Not scored here: on the real test, speaking is scored with a rubric.
Practice Speaking →
TELPAS for 8th and 9th grade: common questions
Do 8th and 9th graders take the same TELPAS test?
For reading and writing, yes: grades 8 and 9 share one test, with 37 reading items in TEA's blueprint. For listening and speaking they do not. Eighth graders take the grades 6–8 test and ninth graders take the grades 9–12 test.
What reading test counts for reclassification in 8th and 9th grade?
Grade 8 uses STAAR reading and grade 9 uses the English I end-of-course exam. Either needs a result of Approaches, Meets or Masters, alongside a TELPAS composite rating of Advanced High and a teacher's evaluation.
How is TELPAS writing scored in 8th and 9th grade?
Each of the three written responses is scored on vocabulary, usage and completeness, 1 to 4 points each. The six editing questions are worth one point each. A sentence rewrite earns its point only if the rewrite is a complete sentence and fixes every error.
Guides for families and teachers
- What Is TELPAS? Meaning, Grade Levels and Ratings
- TELPAS Scores Explained: Levels, Scale Scores and What They Mean
- TELPAS Test Dates: The 2027 and 2026 Testing Windows
- How to Prepare for TELPAS: Practice and Tips by Domain
- TELPAS Listening and Speaking Test: What to Expect and How to Practice
- TELPAS Writing Test: Rubric, Prompts and Samples
Practice for another grade
This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Texas Education Agency or the official TELPAS program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published test design.