A question for DIS teachers

[Debi]

I am scheduled to take my Praxis II in March in Content Knowledge: Elementary Education (Praxis number 0014), and I'm starting to stress about it. Just how difficult of a test is this? I bought Kaplan's study guide, and I'm comfortable with 90% of the material; the remaining information is stuff that I haven't seen in quite some time, so I need to refresh my memory on. Is the test as easy as the study guide makes it out to be, or should I buy additional study material?

 

[Bojangles]

Does your university offer a seminar to help you prepare? Have you finished all of your coursework? Most people I know take it while they are student teaching.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Is it content knowledge ina particular subject...or the general test which has the 4 subjects? The general test I found to be pretty easy with the exception of the Social Studies Section. But luckily my scores for the other 3 categories were high enough to carry me through! If it is the general(4 parts) get a hold of an algebra book, a biology book, an S.S. book and an Art book! The Language Arts is easy enough! Skim through the text for tidbits of info.

 

[Debi]

Because I am an Elementary Education major, I only have to take the El. Ed. Content Knowledge test, which is the test with 4 sections: Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. I'm okay with the math and language arts, and am okay with most of the social studies. There are a few social studies questions and a lot of science questions that really have me stuck.

Unfortunately, my college doesn't offer a Praxis prep course. I wish they did! The way my college's regulations are written, I have to pass the Praxis before I can student teach, so because I'll be student teaching next spring (beginning January '05), I need to pass the test before then.

Any more advice/tips on the test?

 

[AspiringCindy]

If Science is giving you the most trouble, Grab a physics book and a Biology book and do what I said earlier...skim through. I remember there being questions particularly on Friction, Force and some Genus/Species questions! I also remember the Kaplan book being more dificult than the actual test!

 

[Bojangles]

There are also online resources that can help you. Is there another college where you can take a review course? I think if you can sift through the information online and find some sample questions, you should be well prepared.

link Good luck, Debi.

 

[KarenB]

I took this test last January. In my state, it was a new requirement and my group was part on the groups to set the passing score.

I felt like it was just a random group of questions. Since I took it right before student teaching, I used the knowledge that I had from my college courses, plus following along with what my 7th and 8th grade DSs were studying.

I really don't know how a person can study for this test. If you need to look over some science concepts, I would use about an 8th grade text and review the basics.

Have you looked at "Tests at a Glance?" on the Praxis website?

The very best advice I could give is to get a good nights sleep, go in with confidence, do the best you can, then forget about it until the results come in the mail!

Karen

 

[Debi]

Thanks for the link - I'll definately be looking at that tomorrow! I haven't looked at the Praxis website, other than to register for the test. What kinds of questions are asked on the Elementary Education content knowledge test?

 

[Bojangles]

The Praxis site has some sample questions.