Praxis II: Core
Since I documented my experience with the Art Content & Knowledge Praxis, I thought I'd also document my experience with the Praxis II Core (Core Academic Skills for Educators).
Considering myself a fairly intelligent, educated person, I didn't worry too much about this exam until a few days prior. I took something similar, the CBEST, some 18 years ago, to qualify as a substitute teacher in California, and did not prepare at all, and don't recall having any trouble with it. However, being twenty years out of school has a way of making even the most intelligent person nervous about taking a standardized test for the first time in decades.
This series of exams (Math, Reading, and Writing) includes more difficult content than the CBEST. It's also much longer, (five hours if you take it as a combination test), and thus requires some stamina. However, after taking it, I don't think it is more difficult to pass than the CBEST, as it appears the Praxis II has a generous scoring system.
Scores on all Praxis II exams range from 100-200. As far as I can tell, the only purpose in having a minimum 100 score is that it might look like poor PR to certify teachers scoring a 55 or 65 on a 1-100 scale on a basic academic knowledge exam (passing minimum scores range from the 140s to the 160s depending on the topic and the certifying state). So instead of stating a requisite score is 55, on the Praxis II, it's 155. So much more sophisticated!
Reviewing practice tests for the exam was helpful, but it did not help ease my nerves, particularly in the reading sections where I found many questions particularly vague and/or poorly-worded. I found far greater clarity on the actual exam, so it's possible the exam has been modified since its release to exclude questions that test-takers found confusing.
While I had absolutely no trouble earning near-perfect scores on this exam, I am sympathetic to the fact that many aspiring teachers do end up having to take one or more of these exams multiple times, either due to areas of personal academic weakness or being out of practice with certain content areas. The math section seems to be a particular bugaboo for some people.
Resources for the Core exams are abundant, but some basic tips:
- On the reading section, answer only based on what is precisely stated in the passage. A conclusion you've drawn from an implication, logical extension, or outside knowledge doesn't count. A good rule of thumb is to scan all options and eliminate the ones that aren't explicitly true based only on information the passage, and settle on the one choice that can't possibly be wrong. I read this tip in a prep book, used it religiously, and scored a perfect 200 on this section of the exam.
- On the math section, manage your time wisely. Even earning a near-perfect score and enjoying greater fluency in algebra and geometry than the average artsy type, I ran out the clock on the last problem. I carefully checked all my answers until I noticed the time, and ended up speed-solving the last ten problems or so. In doing so I noticed that on many questions, there was only one answer that made logical sense, due to the units, order of magnitude on a volume calculation problem, and so on. Other problems, while not not super advanced, do require multi-step algebraic reasoning or knowledge of geometry, so do brush up on your algebra and geometry if you're out of practice. Khan Academy is a fantastic resource if you need it. Sal's smooth, sexy, reassuring voice brings fuzzy old topics into focus.
- On the writing section, I found constructing an outline useful. Your time is limited, and while not particularly inspired, I found the old high school five-point essay format the easiest way to get the essays done quickly.
Considering myself a fairly intelligent, educated person, I didn't worry too much about this exam until a few days prior. I took something similar, the CBEST, some 18 years ago, to qualify as a substitute teacher in California, and did not prepare at all, and don't recall having any trouble with it. However, being twenty years out of school has a way of making even the most intelligent person nervous about taking a standardized test for the first time in decades.
This series of exams (Math, Reading, and Writing) includes more difficult content than the CBEST. It's also much longer, (five hours if you take it as a combination test), and thus requires some stamina. However, after taking it, I don't think it is more difficult to pass than the CBEST, as it appears the Praxis II has a generous scoring system.
Scores on all Praxis II exams range from 100-200. As far as I can tell, the only purpose in having a minimum 100 score is that it might look like poor PR to certify teachers scoring a 55 or 65 on a 1-100 scale on a basic academic knowledge exam (passing minimum scores range from the 140s to the 160s depending on the topic and the certifying state). So instead of stating a requisite score is 55, on the Praxis II, it's 155. So much more sophisticated!
Reviewing practice tests for the exam was helpful, but it did not help ease my nerves, particularly in the reading sections where I found many questions particularly vague and/or poorly-worded. I found far greater clarity on the actual exam, so it's possible the exam has been modified since its release to exclude questions that test-takers found confusing.
While I had absolutely no trouble earning near-perfect scores on this exam, I am sympathetic to the fact that many aspiring teachers do end up having to take one or more of these exams multiple times, either due to areas of personal academic weakness or being out of practice with certain content areas. The math section seems to be a particular bugaboo for some people.
Resources for the Core exams are abundant, but some basic tips:
- On the reading section, answer only based on what is precisely stated in the passage. A conclusion you've drawn from an implication, logical extension, or outside knowledge doesn't count. A good rule of thumb is to scan all options and eliminate the ones that aren't explicitly true based only on information the passage, and settle on the one choice that can't possibly be wrong. I read this tip in a prep book, used it religiously, and scored a perfect 200 on this section of the exam.
- On the math section, manage your time wisely. Even earning a near-perfect score and enjoying greater fluency in algebra and geometry than the average artsy type, I ran out the clock on the last problem. I carefully checked all my answers until I noticed the time, and ended up speed-solving the last ten problems or so. In doing so I noticed that on many questions, there was only one answer that made logical sense, due to the units, order of magnitude on a volume calculation problem, and so on. Other problems, while not not super advanced, do require multi-step algebraic reasoning or knowledge of geometry, so do brush up on your algebra and geometry if you're out of practice. Khan Academy is a fantastic resource if you need it. Sal's smooth, sexy, reassuring voice brings fuzzy old topics into focus.
- On the writing section, I found constructing an outline useful. Your time is limited, and while not particularly inspired, I found the old high school five-point essay format the easiest way to get the essays done quickly.
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