Does anyone know a great review guide for the TExES Math 8-12 test? I am taking it for the third time in June, and I keep making the same mistakes. I went to some old text books and tried to self-teach, but I would love a great review guide. I found two guides from the local university, but both have major typos. I don't know how this test compares with other state certification exams, but if another state has something that will help me, I would buy it in a hot minute.
TExES is another of the fine products from out friends at NES. Looking at the documents online, it appears similar in breadth to CSET Math. That is, it covers algebra, geometry, trigonometry and elementary calculus. It does seem to omit some of the more esoteric subjects we have to deal with in California, like group theory, though. The Texas folks are lucky in that they get to use a calculator throughout. Actually, some of the questions are apparently designed so that you have to use a graphic calculator to answer them. Apparently they only have to pass one exam. And I didn't see anything about constructed response questions. So, all in all, my guess is that it is a bit easier than CSET Math. My guess is the same approach that works for preparing for CSET will work for TExES. But, of course, it should be tailored specifically to what is being tested. It also means that there is no free lunch. There is no useful review guide for CSET Math. And I doubt you will find one for TExES. The best I can do is recommend that you check out the threads on CSET Math in this forum and do lots and lots of practice problems in the areas you are having trouble. FWIW if you are making the same mistakes over and over again, it is time to do something different. Which domains are you having trouble with?
Thanks for the replies. It's the calculus that I am struggling with. I know how to do it, its just recognizing when I need to do a derivative in a word problem. I had a horrible Cal teacher in college, I only remember his stories. I got a Cal text from another professor, so I have to teach myself. Again, thanks for the advice. Actually, I was thinking about moving to CA, so it's good to hear about the differences on the certification tests. From what I saw on the website, if I can pass the TX test, CA will recognize it. Thanks for all your help.
All (?!) Qs related to the derivative in word problems deal with RATES OF CHANGE explicitly or otherwise: * SLOPE of a line / curve: rate of change of Y w.r.t. X * Velocity (rate of change of distance w.r.t. time) and acceleration (rate of change of velocity w.r.t. time) * Change in any dimension w.r.t. another, usually, time: for instance, change in - length of a shadow - Area of a circle / - volume of sand (falling) in a cone etc. w.r.t. time. * Maxima / Minima problems: concerning finding the optimum value of a physical quantity (distance / Area) OR dimensions of an object subject to certain constraints, identified by use of terms like - Maximum - Minimum - least - most - shortest - longest in the Q... * The other common use of derivatives is in curve-sketching using the 1st and 2nd derivatives to find maxima / minima and points of inflection. Jay. http://innovationguy.easyjournal.com
