A news story about a school budget vote ends with the sentence "This was clearly the wrong decision." Which Texas standard for student publications does that sentence break?Answer: Keeping the writer's opinion out of non-editorial coverage. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.66, Advanced Journalism: Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(2)(B). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 003
A story on a proposed dress code quotes only the principal. Which step named in the Texas standards would make the coverage balanced?Answer: Adding credible sources who hold other views. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.66, Advanced Journalism: Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(2)(A). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 003
A student reporter wants records under the federal Freedom of Information Act. From which bodies does that law give the public the right to request records?Answer: Federal agencies. Source: FOIA.gov, Frequently Asked Questions. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 004
Show all 45 questions (42 more)
Mass media and communication, continued
A yearbook staff wants to reprint a professional photo found online and asks whether that is fair use. Which of these is one of the four factors the copyright statute tells a court to consider?Answer: The effect of the use on the potential market for the work. Source: 17 U.S.C. §107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 004
Edward R. Murrow first gained prominence with live radio broadcasts during World War II. What did his later reports on the television program See It Now help bring about?Answer: The censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Source: Wikipedia, Edward R. Murrow. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 001
The exam framework names four functions of mass communication. A student newspaper prints an editorial urging the school board to start classes later. Which function does the editorial mainly serve?Answer: Persuade. Source: Texas Educator Certification Examination Program, Journalism 7–12 (256) preparation manual, Section 3, competency 002. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 002
Frederick Douglass began publishing The North Star in Rochester, New York, in 1847. The paper is an example of the press serving which purpose?Answer: Pressing for social reform, as an anti-slavery paper. Source: Wikipedia, The North Star (anti-slavery newspaper). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 002
In Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), a principal removed two pages from a newspaper produced in a journalism class. Under that decision, when may educators exercise editorial control over school-sponsored student speech?Answer: When their actions are reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns. Source: Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988), syllabus. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 004
In Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), students wore black armbands to school. What did the Supreme Court say school officials must be able to show before they prohibit student expression of an opinion?Answer: That it would materially and substantially interfere with school discipline. Source: Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503 (1969). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 004
Nellie Bly is remembered for a trip around the world in 72 days and for an exposé of a mental institution. How did she report the exposé?Answer: She worked undercover inside the institution. Source: Wikipedia, Nellie Bly. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 001
Penny press newspapers appeared in the United States in the 1830s. What set them apart from the papers of the day that cost about six cents?Answer: A one-cent price that put the news within reach of more readers. Source: Wikipedia, Penny press. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 001
Printer John Peter Zenger was tried for libel in New York in 1735 after his paper criticized the royal governor. Which argument by his lawyers made the case a landmark for freedom of the press?Answer: Truth is a defense against a charge of libel. Source: Wikipedia, John Peter Zenger. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 001
Under New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), a public official who sues for a defamatory falsehood about official conduct must prove "actual malice." What does that term mean?Answer: Knowing the statement was false, or reckless disregard of whether it was. Source: New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain I, competency 004
Journalistic writing and photojournalism 14
A beginning photographer puts every subject in the exact center of the frame. Where does the rule of thirds say important elements should be placed?Answer: Along the lines that divide the frame into thirds, or where they cross. Source: Wikipedia, Rule of thirds. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 009
A feature story opens with a two-sentence scene in the band hall. Which paragraph should follow that lead to explain, in a nutshell, what the story is about and why it matters?Answer: The nut graph. Source: Wikipedia, Nut graph. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 006
A photo editor removes the empty bleachers at the edges of a basketball photo so that the shooter fills the frame. What is this step called?Answer: Cropping. Source: Wikipedia, Cropping (image). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 009
A photographer wants both a speaker at the podium and a banner far behind her to be in focus. Which aperture choice gives the longer depth of field?Answer: A smaller opening, which has a larger f-number. Source: Wikipedia, Aperture. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 008
A source agrees to talk only "off the record," and the reporter accepts. What does that agreement mean for the reporter?Answer: The information is not to be reported or repeated. Source: Wikipedia, Source (journalism), Confidential information. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 005
A student photographer wants a sprinter crossing the finish line to appear sharp, with no motion blur. Which camera setting matters most for that?Answer: A very short shutter speed. Source: Wikipedia, Shutter speed. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 008
A student reporter finds a striking statistic in a social media post. What do the Texas journalism standards expect before the figure goes into a story?Answer: Confirming it with other sources, such as qualified persons or reports. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.62, Journalism (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(3)(F). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 005
A water main breaks two blocks from campus on the same day as a larger break in another state. Student editors lead with the local one. Which news value explains the choice?Answer: Proximity. Source: Wikipedia, News values. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 005
At deadline an editor must shorten a news story by removing its last three paragraphs, and the story must still give readers the essential facts. Which story structure makes that possible?Answer: The inverted pyramid. Source: Wikipedia, Inverted pyramid (journalism). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 006
The exam framework lists "using active-voice verbs" among the guidelines for journalistic writing. Which sentence follows that guideline?Answer: The school board approved the budget Tuesday. Source: Wikipedia, Active voice. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 007
On a newspaper page, what is a cutline?Answer: The lines of text that explain a published photograph. Source: Wikipedia, Photo caption. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 008
One student reporter writes "9 a.m." and another writes "nine o'clock in the morning." What is the main reason a staff adopts a stylebook?Answer: To keep usage consistent across the publication. Source: Wikipedia, Style guide. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 007
The Texas standards ask students to write copy that combines direct and indirect quotes. Which sentence is an indirect quote with attribution?Answer: The principal said the gym will reopen in March. Source: Wikipedia, Indirect speech. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 007
Which kind of article is often unsigned and expresses the opinion of the publication itself on a topic or issue?Answer: An editorial. Source: Wikipedia, Editorial. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain II, competency 006
Student-produced media 9
A design lesson has students mark the white space on a finished spread. Which parts of the page count as white space?Answer: The parts left unmarked, such as margins and gutters. Source: Wikipedia, White space (visual arts). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 011
A lesson compares the rules for print and for broadcast news. According to the Federal Communications Commission, what does the commission license?Answer: Individual broadcast stations. Source: Federal Communications Commission, The Public and Broadcasting. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 012
A newspaper staff designs two facing pages as one unit, with a photo and a headline that stretch across both. What is this pair of pages called?Answer: A double truck. Source: Wikipedia, Double truck. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 010
A printer tells a yearbook staff that the book will be printed and bound in signatures. In bookbinding, what is a signature?Answer: A group of sheets folded together and bound as a unit. Source: Wikipedia, Section (bookbinding). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 010
A yearbook template calls for an internal margin of one pica between the elements of a spread. How wide is one pica?Answer: 1/6 of an inch, or 12 points. Source: Wikipedia, Pica (typography). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 010
An editor plans coverage of school lunch as a main story, a sidebar of prices, an infographic and a set of photos, all designed together. What do the Texas advanced journalism standards call this kind of plan?Answer: A packaged presentation. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.66, Advanced Journalism: Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(1)(E). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 011
From a 15-minute interview, a student producer keeps one 8-second clip of the coach saying, "We left everything on the field." What is the clip called?Answer: A sound bite. Source: Wikipedia, Sound bite. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 012
In a student news package about the robotics team, shots of the robot at work play while the coach's interview continues on the soundtrack. What is this supporting footage called?Answer: B-roll. Source: Wikipedia, B-roll. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 012
Students choosing type for headlines compare faces with and without small strokes at the ends of the letters. What is a typeface without those strokes called?Answer: Sans-serif. Source: Wikipedia, Serif. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain III, competency 011
Journalism in the school community 9
A broadcast adviser has students rotate through producer, technical director, camera operator and anchor during the first six weeks. Which standard for advanced broadcast journalism does the rotation serve?Answer: Understanding the role of various personnel in broadcast journalism. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.64, Advanced Broadcast Journalism I, II, III (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(2)(A). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 014
A student newspaper runs, at no charge, a quarter-page message urging students to wear seat belts. Which type of advertising named in the Texas journalism standards is this?Answer: Public service. Source: Wikipedia, Public service announcement. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 013
A student newspaper sells advertising at $7 per column inch. A local shop buys an ad 3 columns wide and 4 inches deep. What does the ad cost?Answer: $84. Source: Wikipedia, Column inch. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 013
A Texas adviser prepares students for University Interscholastic League journalism. Which list gives the five journalism contests the UIL sponsors?Answer: News, feature, editorial and headline writing, and copy editing. Source: University Interscholastic League, Journalism. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 015
A yearbook sales poster reads, "Everyone at Central is buying one. Don't be the only one left out." Which persuasive technique is the poster using?Answer: Bandwagon. Source: Wikipedia, Propaganda techniques. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 013
After each issue, a newspaper staff surveys students, teachers and parents who are not on the staff. What purpose do the Texas standards give for seeking this non-staff opinion?Answer: To determine its impact on future publications. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.66, Advanced Journalism: Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(2)(E). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 015
Before pages go to the editor in chief, section editors trade spreads and return written comments to each other. Which standard does this routine practice?Answer: Editing and critiquing the work of others. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.66, Advanced Journalism: Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(5)(G). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 014
Texas schools can join the scholastic press organization of the UIL, which offers its members yearbook, newspaper, online news and broadcast competitions. What is that organization called?Answer: The Interscholastic League Press Conference. Source: University Interscholastic League, Journalism. Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 015
Yearbook spreads keep reaching the editor in chief days late. Which leadership skill in the Texas advanced journalism standards addresses the problem most directly?Answer: Developing a deadline schedule and a regular way to monitor progress. Source: 19 Texas Administrative Code §110.66, Advanced Journalism: Yearbook, Newspaper, Literary Magazine (Legal Information Institute copy), (b)(5)(D). Written to TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) Domain IV, competency 014
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the exam framework of TExES Journalism 7–12 (256) in Section 3 of the preparation manual on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website, https://www.tx.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/TX_SG_obj_256.htm (copyright Texas Education Agency), read 2026-10-15: 100 selected-response questions in four domains, Mass Media and Communication about 28%, Journalistic Writing and Photojournalism 32%, Student-Produced Media 20%, and Journalism in the School Community 20%. This bank holds 45 in those shares: 13, 14, 9 and 9. Each question rests on one public page, named and linked under it and opened 2026-10-15: the Texas journalism course standards, 19 Texas Administrative Code §§110.62, 110.64, 110.65 and 110.66 (Legal Information Institute copies); the Supreme Court's opinions in Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier and New York Times v. Sullivan, and 17 U.S.C. §107 (Legal Information Institute); FOIA.gov; the Federal Communications Commission; the University Interscholastic League; the framework itself for two questions; and Wikipedia articles on the history, craft, photography, design and broadcast terms the framework names. One answer is arithmetic. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
A free TExES Journalism study guide built as a practice test: 45 questions written for this site across the four domains of exam 256. Unofficial, and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or Pearson.
Read the full guide
Four domains
Mass Media and Communication carries about 28%, Journalistic Writing and Photojournalism 32%, Student-Produced Media 20% and Journalism in the School Community 20%. The 45 questions here split 13, 14, 9 and 9.
Length and timing
Journalism 7–12 has 100 selected-response questions and 4 hours 45 minutes of testing time in a 5-hour appointment. A timed run of 45 questions in 128 minutes keeps that pace.
What the answers rest on
Press law answers quote the Supreme Court in Tinker, Hazelwood and New York Times v. Sullivan and the fair use statute. Advising answers cite the Texas journalism course standards and the University Interscholastic League.
Know the two student press cases by their tests: substantial interference in Tinker, legitimate pedagogical concerns in Hazelwood.
Read the Texas course standards for Journalism, Photojournalism, Advanced Broadcast Journalism and Advanced Journalism. Each is short enough to read whole.
Questions and answers
Where is the official TExES Journalism 7-12 study guide?
The Texas Educator Certification Examination Program posts a free preparation manual for Journalism 7–12 (256). Its Section 3 lists four domains and 15 competencies, and each answer on this page names the competency it was written to.
What does the TExES Journalism exam cover?
The history and role of mass media, press law and ethics, reporting and newswriting, photojournalism, publication design, broadcast, the business side of student media, and advising a staff.
Are these real TExES Journalism questions?
No. Each was written for this site from one competency of the public framework and one public source. Nothing comes from the exam or from the sample questions in the manual.
What score passes TExES Journalism 7-12 (256)?
240 on a scaled score, by the exam's page. The exam may carry unscored questions and the scale is not a percent, so this page gives a count of right answers and no pass or fail.