If you have completed your training in education and want to get into the teaching profession, you must have heard of Praxis tests. Praxis exams are part of the certification documents that many states and licensing organizations require as proof that you are a competent teacher. The tests measure academic skills and knowledge specific to certain subjects that you need for effective teaching. Taking Praxis practice tests is the best way to prepare yourself for a Praxis test and ensure you pass.
The ideal situation is to pass your first attempt at the Praxis test as it saves you the time and money you would use during a retake. So, how do you go about practicing to ensure you pass the test?
1. Learn what the test will cover
You can find details of what you can expect in the Praxis test in Stud Companions and Study Guides. These usually have detailed test descriptions, answers and explanations to help you prepare for your test. The Core exams, for example, cover Math, Reading, and Writing. Content and pedagogy exams test content and pedagogy knowledge. Content is the fact that teachers should know to be termed as experts in a particular area. Pedagogy is the how of teaching, which enables you to deliver knowledge to different kinds of students successfully. These include children, adolescents, and young adults.
You may also find state-specific exams whose content is unique to that particular state. The detail of the exam requirements varies according to state. There are also non-teaching Praxis exams designed for school administrators and classroom aides.
2. Assess yourself to determine how much you know
Do not overestimate your preparedness. You need to take tests to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in every content area. The more you have been away from content, the more you need to read and re-read. If you are working with an academic advisor, he or she will help you determine areas where you require additional study and recommend the best materials for that content area. Studying with others who are planning on taking the test can help you understand concepts faster and better.
3. Prepare study materials
Organizing all the materials you need for reference can help you study better. You can look for college books you have that relate to some of the content you will be covering. You can also check your college or local library for relevant books on the topic.
4. Have a study schedule
The first step is to push your test date far enough to give you enough time to practice based on how much content you have to cover. Based on the time you have to study, create a schedule and follow it through to ensure you study regularly. For example, you can have a one-month study plan where you detail what you want to achieve every week and set specific times for study. After studying, you can note down your level of understanding of the content and areas you will re-visit.
5. Practice how you will explain the construction response test
You need to be able to explain concepts clearly with the fewest words possible. The conciseness and comprehensiveness of your responses show your level of understanding and ability to transfer knowledge. You can practice writing different versions of the answer to determine which one works best.
6. Understand the scoring
You should understand the scoring process. As you already know, there are two types of questions—the multiple-choice questions and the essay questions. For questions with selected responses, each one is worth one point, and the scores are done using a computer. For constructed response questions, two or more educators will score the question. There is no standard passing score, as the pass or fail mark varies from state to state.
To pass the Praxis test, ensure you are consistent in your study. Focus on all areas and not just the difficult ones. It is not enough to get your practice questions right. Try to reason out and understand why an answer is right or wrong.
The results for the test can take up to six weeks. With good preparation, you will inevitably pass the test.
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