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| Introduction: Passing the Test | |
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| About This Book and TestWare�“ | |
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| REA���s Praxis II Middle School Mathematics (0069) test is a comprehensive guide designed to assist you in preparing for this required test for teachers of middle school mathematics. To enhance your chances of success in this important step toward your career as a mathematics teacher, this test guide presents an accurate and complete overview of the Praxis II identifies all of the important information and its representation on the test provides a comprehensive review of every content category on the test provides three full-length practice tests suggests tips and strategies for successfully completing standardized tests replicates the format of the official test, including levels of difficulty supplies the correct answer and detailed explanations for each question on the practice tests, which enable you to identify correct answers and understand why they are correct and, just as important, why the other answers are incorrect | |
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| Introduction: Passing the Test | |
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| This guide is the result of studying many resources. The editors considered the most recent test administrations and professional standards. They also researched information from the Educational Testing Service, professional journals, textbooks, and educators. This guide includes the best test preparation materials based on the latest information available | |
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| Practice Tests 1 and 2 are included in two formats: in printed form in this book and in TestWare�“ format on the enclosed CD. We recommend that you begin your preparation by first taking the computerized version of your test. The software provides the added benefits of enforced time conditions and instantaneous, accurate scoring, making it easier to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses | |
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| Who Administers the Test? | |
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| All the Praxis II tests are administered by the Educational Testing Service (www.ets.org/Praxis) | |
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| To receive information on upcoming administrations of the Praxis II, consult the Praxis II Information Bulletin (found at www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/01361.pdf), or contact the ETS at | |
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| Educational Testing Service Teaching and Learning Division P.O. Box 6051 Princeton, NJ 08541-6051 Phone: (609) 771-7395 Website: www.ets.org/praxis E-mail: www.ets.org./praxis/contact/email_praxis | |
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| Can I Retake the Test? | |
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| Most states and institutions allow candidates who do not pass the Praxis II to retake it as often as necessary until a passing score is achieved. In these cases, candidates must reregister each time they take a test. However, please check with your state or testing institution for their specific requirements. Candidates who have passed a Praxis II test have met that part of the testing requirement for certification and, therefore, are not eligible to retake the test again | |
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| When Should the Praxis II Be Taken? | |
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| Individual states, institutions, and associations set their own requirements and passing scores for the Praxis. Some states specify the passing of additional or different tests. Check with your state agency for details. ETS offers the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics | |
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| Is There a Registration Fee? | |
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| To take the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics test there is a fee. A complete summary of the registration fees can be found at the website or phone number listed above | |
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| How to Use This Book and TestWare�“ How Do I Begin Studying? | |
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| Take a moment to review the organization of this test preparation guide | |
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| To best utilize your study time, follow our Praxis II Independent Study Schedule. The schedule is based on an eight-week program, but can be condensed to four weeks if necessary | |
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| Take the first practice test on CD-ROM, score it according to the directions, then review the explanations to your answers carefully, studying the areas that your scores indicate need further review | |
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| Review the format of the Praxis II | |
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| Review the test-taking advice and suggestions presented later in this section | |
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| Pay attention to the information about content and the objectives of the test | |
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| Spend time reviewing topics that stand out as needing more study | |
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| Take the second practice test on CD-ROM and follow the same procedure as #2 above | |
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| Take the third practice test in this book | |
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| Follow the suggestions at the end of this section for the day before and the day of the test | |
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| When Should I Start Studying? | |
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| It is never too early to start studying for the Praxis II. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! An eight-week study schedule is provided at the end of this section to assist you in preparing for the test. This schedule can be adjusted to meet your unique needs. If your test date is only four weeks away, you can halve the time allotted to each section, but keep in mind that this is not the most effective way to study. If you have several months before your test date, you may wish to extend the time allotted to each section. Remember, the more time you spend studying, the better your chances of achieving your aim—a passing score on the Praxis II | |
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| Studying for the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics Test | |
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| It is very important for you to choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some students set aside a certain number of hours every morning to study, while some choose the night time, before going to sleep, and others study during the day, while waiting in line, or even while eating lunch. Choose a time when you can concentrate and your study will be most effective. Be consistent and use your time wisely. Work out a study routine and stick to it | |
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| When you take the practice tests, simulate the conditions of the actual test as closely as possible. Turn your television and radio off and sit down at a quiet table with your calculator, if you will be using one. As you complete each practice test, score it and thoroughly review the explanations to the questions you answered incorrectly. Do not, however, review too much at any one time. Concentrate on one problem area at a time by examining the question and explanation, and by studying our review until you are confident that you have mastered the material. Keep track of your scores to discover general weaknesses in particular sections and to gauge your progress. Give extra attention to the review sections that cover your areas of difficulty, as this will build your skills in those areas | |
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| Format of the Praxis II | |
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| The Praxis II Middle School Mathematics test is composed of five main content categories with both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. The test utilizes five process categories as charted on page two. Part A of the content categories contains 40 multiple-choice questions, and each contains four response options, A through D. Part B of the content categories is composed of three problem-solving exercises. These are three equally weighted constructed-response questions whose focus is distributed across the four content categories. The content categories were designed to measure the ability to integrate knowledge of mathematics and may involve more than one competency, as well as competencies from more than one content area | |
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| Entry-level middle school mathematics teachers must demonstrate that they have an understanding of the various ways in which math content knowledge is acquired and used. The process categories assess this ability and one or more may be applied to any of the content topics in the test | |
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| You are given two hours to complete the test, so be aware of the amount of time you are spending on each question. Using the practice tests will help you prepare to pace your time evenly, efficiently, and productively | |
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| About the Review Sections | |
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| The reviews in this book are designed to help you sharpen the basic skills needed to approach the Praxis II, as well as provide strategies for attacking the questions. Each teaching category is examined in a separate chapter. The skills required for all categories are extensively discussed to optimize your understanding of what this Praxis II test covers. Your schooling has taught you most of what you need to succeed on the test. Our review is designed to help you fit the information you have acquired into specific content and process categories. Reviewing your class notes and textbooks together with our reviews will give you an excellent springboard for passing the Praxis II | |
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| Test-Taking Tips | |
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| Although you may not be familiar with tests like the Praxis II, this book will help acquaint you with this type of test and help alleviate your test-taking anxieties. Listed below are ways to help you become accustomed to the Praxis II, some of which may be applied to other tests as well | |
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| Become comfortable with the format of the Praxis II. When you are practicing, stay calm and pace yourself. After simulating the test only once, you will boost your chances of doing well, and you will be able to sit down for the actual test with much more confidence | |
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| Read all of the possible answers. Just because you think you have found the correct response, do not automatically assume that it is the best answer. Read through each choice to be sure that you are not making a mistake by jumping to conclusions | |
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| Use the process of elimination. Go through each answer to a question and eliminate as many of the answer choices as possible. By eliminating two answer choices, you have given yourself a better chance of getting the item correct since there will only be two choices left from which to make your guess. Answer all questions you can; you are not penalized for wrong answers, but you are rewarded for correct ones | |
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| Place a question mark in your answer booklet next to answers you guessed, then recheck them later if you have time | |
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| Work quickly and steadily. You will have two hours to complete the test, so work quickly and steadily to avoid focusing on any one problem too long. Taking the practice tests in this book will help you learn to budget your precious time | |
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| Learn the directions and format of the test. This will not only save time, but will also help you avoid anxiety (and the mistakes caused by getting anxious) | |
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| Be sure that the answer circle you are marking corresponds to the number of the question in the test booklet. Since the test is multiple-choice, it is graded by machine, and marking one answer in the wrong circle can throw off your answer key and your score. Be extremely careful | |
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| The Day of the Test Before the Test | |
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| On the day of the test, make sure to dress comfortably, so that you are not distracted by being too hot or too cold while taking the test. Plan to arrive at the test center early. This will allow you to collect your thoughts and relax before the test, and will also spare you the anguish that comes with being late | |
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| You should check your Praxis II information bulletin or registration information to find out what time to arrive at the testing center. Before you leave for the test center, make sure that you have your admission ticket and two forms of identification, one of which must contain a recent photograph, your name, and signature (i.e., driver���s license). You will not be admitted to the test center if you do not have proper identification | |
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| You must bring several sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers and an approved graphic calculator (see above) as none will be provided at the test center. If you would like, you may wear a watch to the test center. However, you may not wear one that makes noise, because it may disturb the other test takers. Dictionaries, textbooks, notebooks, briefcases, laptop computers, or packages will not be permitted. Drinking, smoking, and eating are prohibited | |