Attn Teacher-Mags: Praxis II question

Hey, have any of you recently taken the Praxis II test? Specifically general science, middle grades but interested in what you used for preparation. Any texts, cd roms, etc you would recommend to me?

Someone on Amazon recommended a general science GED text as being a decent quickie content review. But I'm also looking for general pointers on this test.

Haven't taken a standardized test in years, but generally speaking I aced them all--enough to get my praxis I waived (yay!)

Hopefully that's still true!

Sprite

What are the dimensions on the Praxis II? I might want to change my pre-order.

:biggrin:

I believe there is a Praxis study guide book out there somewhere. I thought the general science practice test was pretty easy. As long as you have a pretty general knowledge of all areas of science, biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science, as well as some science and technology understanding, you should be fine. That being said, it sounds pretty daunting. Here's a link to the ETS study guide. ETS is the company that makes the test.

Praxis Study Guide

Thanks Jon! I am pretty knowledgeable re: general science. I have a chem degree...but it's been years. So I do need a refresher. I'll check out the link.

Oh, and conundrum...thanks ya smartass!
:p

Sprite

My girlfriend took the Praxis 2 in English or Language arts. It was a while ago and I don't think she studied for it too intensly. I remember that it looked fairly easy.

But, sometimes with tests like that, you can over think stuff. Especially when you have some years of real world experience. So, a light refresher, especially a Praxis specific one would probably be good to give you an idea about exactly what it is that they ask and what they expect. I wouldn't waste time with one geared towards GED or anything else. Because, you don't wanna waste your time on things that the Praxis doesn't even cover. For the same reason that studying the encyclopedia won't help you with an SAT. The people that write the books have seen the tests and can tell you whats important and what to ignore.

This discussion is not nearly as fun as talking about Praxis skis.

Sprite - I took the CO equivalent (PLACE) for Secondary Social Studies this fall. I figure a lot of these tests are similar since only a few companies make them up. I checked out studyguides from the library and found them useful for the types of questions asked, but not content. I spent a few evenings per week for about a month reading old notes and skimming through old textbooks. I tried to make a list in my head of BIG topics that would certainly be areas of focus. For the most part my guesses were right on what they would ask - it sounds like you have enough Chem background to predict the same.

I found there to be a lot of graphs/graphic organizers to interpret and it was important to know the "vocab" of the content area. Also, they liked to ask questions with answers like: a and c, but not b... etc... But this might differ from Praxis.?

Really it wasn't that big of a deal - you'll do great if you have a level head and think through the test. GOOD LUCK! ;)

Thank yoooz! :)

Looks like I'll be prepping hard the next few months. If you smell something frying, it's probably my brain.

Sprite

I don't know if it's true of the subject tests, but when I took the Praxis I for elementary the questions from the website were very similar to the actual questions on the test. If you're good at standardized tests, check out the website and don't stress, it really shouldn't be a problem for you. Good luck!

I took it during my final semester of college. Basically, it was general chem, bio, physics, geology, astronomy and weather all grouped into one big test (with an emphasis on the first four). The practice book was just like the test. If you do fine on the practice tests, you will do fine on the real test. I studied with the practice book for about a week or so. I was pretty nervous going in, but I ended up doing fine. Almost everyone I took the test with was scrared they didn't pass after taking it, but they all passed.

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Originally Posted by snowsprite

I am pretty knowledgeable re: general science. I have a chem degree...

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Awesome! And not only that but you are going to study to make sure you are all good.

Seriously, I wish....wish my elementary and middle school teachers had stronger science backgrounds. I got one so flipping mad he kicked me out of class when I told him that no, astronauts on the shuttle do not float because they are "so far from planet earth" and no, you do not "weigh several pounds less at the top of a mountain." That was my eighth grade science teacher.

Best of luck...heck, this should be sorta fun right? I always enjoy an overview/review of big picture topics and such.

I took the math test a few years ago. the ONLY study materials I could get were by calling the ETS directly and I even had to drive there (in NJ) to pick it up. It did help, but the study materails were not advertised anywhere - call them!