The essay and short answer portions are scored by graders at Pearson, though they are required to be Texas residents with a bachelor's degree. The multiple-choice questions are scored by computer. The grade is scaled and reported, though not much attention is given to this since the percentage of correct answers is also given on the score report. Scores above an average of 90% are awarded a status known as Commended on that section.
Strategy
Unlike AP tests, the TAKS essays do not require the student to write about the passages earlier in the section. Instead, many of the essay topics may be broadly interpreted and often ask the student to relate personal experience. Many teachers and educators have noted that there is no obvious correlation between writing an essay based on previous passages and writing an essay independent of them. It has been noticed, however, that essays that are cheerful or upbeat in nature receive higher scores than purely technical or pessimistic essays. The math section of the TAKS exit level exam will require a knowledge of special right triangles, however the formulas for these are not printed on the formula sheet.