The journey begins - Praxis advice

[Krafty]

Greetings! I'm new, imagine that? :D

I am in NC, 35, mother of 2 and recently have decided to work toward my teaching certification. I have a degree in another field and will be using NC's lateral entry program. I want to teach elementary school, so my first steps are to pass the 2 required Praxis exams - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment & Content Area Exercises. Once I pass those I can apply for a position and will have 3 years to complete other requirements/coursework.

I plan to take one in November and one in March. So, advice and experience please - which test should I take first? Which is harder/needs more preparation? Have you used any test prep books/systems? If so, what did you like/not like, anything that is a "must have" to study for the Elementary Praxis? I found a system online that looks good, but I'm trying to avoid being seduced by the marketing. The company is Teaching Solutions Test Success Systems and their product is called the Comprehensive Success System - anyone used it, heard of it? I don't have a lot of excess money for this goal, so I am trying to spend my money for materials wisely.

Your assistance and advice is greatly appreciated.
CJ

[TeacherRW]

I don't have any practical advice to give you as I have no experience with the tests. I do however want to welcome you to the field and wish you good luck on the testing.

Welcome to the board!!!

[scrivener]

I took the PPST last summer. I took the content mastery test for English Composition, Language, and Literature, and the pedagogy test for English, both in April.

I passed them all, the pedagogy test just barely. My suggestion is to get into a study group, if you can -- you didn't mention taking any classes, so this could be a challenge -- but if you can't, find someone who has taken your test and ask them a million questions, especially if you can find someone who's taken them several times. I wish I could give you advice related specifically to your tests, but that's why I say you need to find people who can.

I'm sure someone here has specific advice about your tests. Come on, people!

ps: have you seen this thread (http://www.theteacherscorner.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2791)? :)

[aclipse29]

I am currently studying for my Praxis II - Elementary Content Area test. I take my test in 8 days and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to study?? I have been studying for weeks for the PLT part of it and now I am trying to study the Content but i keep hitting road blocks. I am just at a lose as to what to study or where to find information. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am in Ohio if that helps. I know each state has their own required tests.

[Krafty]

Thanks for the welcome :)

aclipse, in a couple weeks, maybe you'll have some awesome advice for me ;) NC requires 011 & 012 and a combined score of 313.

I am not taking any classes at the moment, though I am looking at all my options. The local CC does not offer much except for classes geared toward daycare teachers. The closest universities with education classes (East Carolina University, UNC) are all about an hour away. I work full time, have two children that are getting ready to go back to school - I really need a good online course to start out. I have a BS already and meet the basic education requirements for the lateral entry program. I could have interviewed for a middle or HS position for this year, but I really want to do elementary and thus need the tests passed first. Once I pass them and secure a position, I'll have three years and a working plan from the lateral entry program that outlines classes and things I need to do to get my certification. The good news is by going throgh the state program vs a university outlined program, I can take classes at various colleges and all the credits count for certification.

I go to church with some teachers and at least one has expressed her willingness to help me - she just moved from middle to elementary this year. I know this isn't going to be easy, but I think (hope) I am up to the challenge.

Thanks,
CJ

[scrivener]

Okay, I thought of something helpful to say, believe it or not!

My advice, based on the experiences of my classmates, is this: Be ready to take it more than once, and don't stress about that possibility. A lot of very smart, very capable people don't pass the tests the first time, and I think that for a lot of them, it's a matter of learning how to take the test well.

Several people in my cohort have taken the PRAXIS II three times and are ready to take it a fourth. They've JUST missed it (one of my friends has missed it by one point TWICE!) and I am sure they'll eventually pass this thing. Everyone seems to do better the second time, too.

If anyone Googling this topic should stumble in here, I'll add (at the risk of topic-drift) that if anyone is taking the English Language, Literature, and Composition Content Mastery test, there's at least one question on every test about the Harlem Renaissance.

[Krafty]

I don't suppose you get a discount on those repeat tries? :D

I'm realistic, I know I can fail the first time I take it. Obviously hope not too for a variety of reasons like money, personal timeline and ego :cool: I can face myself, its my husband I don't want to tell!

[aclipse29]

Thanks for all of the replies. My test is only 4 days away and I am still struggling with the Math portion. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find great math activities?? Thanks!

[ilovemyjob27]

Hello everyone!! I took the Praxis 2-content knowledge last year and passed it the first time. I felt like I failed but I did fine. I think my best advice would be to relax and not stress over it. Some of my friends who really like to stress over everything have failed it a few times now. I know they are intelligent enough, they are just over studying. IF you read the study guide and do the practice tests you should be fine. I used some 4th grade text books to study also. I just took the PLT and passed it as well. Almost all of the questions are common sense. I would just answer the multiple choice first then do the essay questions, I did feel a little rushed. Once again I just used the study book and did fine. The people who score the test like to look for those words like "higher order thinking skills, and cooperative grouping" etc.. in your essays. You basically have to make them think you know what your talking about even if you don't haha!! Make sure you get a good nights sleep, eat a good breakfast,and remember to relax !! I hope this helps someone!!

[Krafty]

Thanks for all of the replies. My test is only 4 days away and I am still struggling with the Math portion. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find great math activities?? Thanks!

So how do you think you did?

I just ordered a bunch of books for studying and plan to jump into them the day they arrive; I am really excited about this change! I ordered the books from ETS specific to the tests I'm taking and a more general elementary study book from Barron's. My plan is to take curriculum first (November 18) and content in March (and retake curriculum in March if I bomb the first one).

November will be here before I know what hit me.:eek: