Hi, I need some advice. Has anyone ever used Dr. Lynn Gardner's Math Made Easy? It has excellent reviews. I have taken the core math 3 times with scores ranging from 136, 140, 142. Each time the test is different. I know that is basic math, but I'm not sure what's going on with me and these problems. Time is usually a factor for me though too. I always have to rush at the end because I take my time in the beginning. Pacing is hard for me while doing math. Anyway, I have purchased ETS' practice test and they really aren't similar to the real one in my opinion. I usually score 44/56 on them but only get about 25-27/50 on the real thing. Number and quantity - 8/15 Algebra and functions - 8/15 Geometry - 6/10 Prob and stats - 6/10 ^ these are my usual scores. I feel like if I could get the number and quantity or algebra up, I would pass. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm basically out of resources at this point. This is the last test I have to complete to be accepted into the non - traditional teaching program in my state. I've passed writing, reading and biology (praxis II) but can't seem to pass this one. It's very discouraging. So again, has anyone used that book or have any other tips? Thanks for reading!
Praxis Core math is scored as a whole: it doesn't matter where in the test you gain the points as long as you gain enough, and there's room for improvement across the board. Your best bet might be to find a tutor to work with you on speeding up your math. Mental math, including estimating, can be very helpful: in fact, most basic-skills teacher tests explicitly test estimation skills. If you were asked to estimate the result of multiplying 33.5 times 47.8, how would you proceed?
Yes, absolutely, you should buy Lynn's book! It is the single best resource for Praxis Core Math out there. I tutor Praxis Core Math and use as my primary source in my tutoring. The book is dead-on in terms of content compared to the actual test. Why? Because Lynn has taken the test herself 12 times. I have taken the test twice myself (for research purposes) last year and can testify to how closely her book and the actual test align. I am not even sure if the publishers of the other books (Praxis Core for Dummies, Baron's, etc) have even taken the test themselves, or if they just go off the study guide when creating their books. In addition to the book, Lynn also gives you 9 practice tests that you can practice with. You can go to her website and read testimonials from legit people like struggling students and university Directors of Education who all rave about the book. All of that being said, you still may need additional resources like a tutor or a math textbook, because the book doesn't go into a deep dive like a textbook does explaining every little thing. She does explain the answers very well, and that may be enough for you, but perhaps not. Many people can work through the book on their own and use her explanations, but some need a little more in depth understanding, and that's where these other resources come in handy. My recommendation is getting a tutor who can help you fill in your gaps of understanding. Best of luck! - Tim www.wyzant.com/tutors/timctutor
One tip I always give my students who have issues with time is this: Do all of the easy ones first! You should make two passes through the test. For the first pass look at each problem and make a split second decision about whether it is easy or not. If it is wordy or about a topic you know is more difficult, skip it and come back to it later. If it is very short and is a topic you are very comfortable with, like adding fractions or graphs, do it. So do all the easy ones first. Then, during the 2nd pass, do the rest, being careful not to spend too much time on a question at the expense of the ones you have left. Doing all of the easy ones first ensures you don't leave any points "on the table". If you do them in order, and run out of time, you could be leaving easy points just sitting there at the end of the test! So, get all of the "gimme points" and that'll help give you a psychological boost for that second pass. - Tim www.wyzant.com/tutors/timctutor
Umm math made easy by dr Gardner is no joke!!! I have literally used all of the praxis prep books out there. I failed three times with a 136, 142, and 140. I took it again and made a 174 after studying her book for 4 days! That book is no joke. I wish more people knew about it. It's not that difficult when you are studying the right material! I hope someone else who is struggling reads this!!
Congratulations, Amh5! That's an impressive score increase, and I'm glad you found success with Gardner's book. The best teacher-test resources are often not specifically teacher-test resources.
Yes, congratulations! I know that her book has helped so many struggling students immensely. I'm glad it worked for you too! - Tim www.wyzant.com/tutors/timctutor
I must say, Lynn Gardner's book is the best math praxis study guide I have ever used. I wish I had known about this before I wasted money on other study guides.
As August closes in, the Costco in my area is stocking back-to-school books, among them DK's excellent and very visual Help Your Kids With Math.
Hello all! I am another Praxis Math failed. I have taken it multiple times and got a 128, 136, and 142. I have been working with a tutor as well for 3 months. My score has increased but, still not passing. I have bought the practice tests from ETS website and have scored 79% and higher. This is nothing like the real test. I am looking for tips and advice. Please help!
Dr. Lynn Gardner's book helped me tremendously. I went from a 147 to 182 with 11 hours of studying. Buy it!!! She has taken the test 12 times herself and then wrote the book.
I just got it! I start Monday after my grad class ends then I hit this material and try #3. I may get a tudor also. She took test 25 times now. She says she takes it every 3 months and updates her book. I hope it works.
Looks like I need to look into this, I got a 118 the first go around, just took it again today and got a 148, need a 150. I agree many of these so called prep tests are nothing like the real tests.
I can definitely relate to you. Failing this test multiple times myself, really makes you feel defeated!! I just ordered Dr. Lynn Gardner's book, math made easy. I hope that this resource gives me the help that I need to pass the test the next time. Don't give up and keep studying!
So what did YOU study to go up 30? I too studied hard but didn't matter! i studied 5 weeks like a full-time job. Apparently all the wrong material!!!!For 5 weeks! Got on ETS, and my college PRAXIS help test site a designated site for this test , watched modules, did assignments in all categories, took quizes, online simulated tests 16 of them. Only went up 2 points. Luckily I didn't go down. Very frustrating! Considering all the hours I put in 5 to 7 on average a day for 5 weeks. Just got Lynn's book. I am on Algebra and functions as of today. It has good tips, and seems similar to test so far. I take it again Aug 29th. I can use all the tips and suggestions of improving my score I can get!I have never had so much struggle on any test!
The 1st time - N&Q- 8-15, A&F 4-15, GEO 3-10, S&P 4-10. So I needed help on everything. Geometry surprised me because I used basic geometry everyday at work before I became a teacher. Just not the geometry that was on the test. Algebra has always given me trouble. Found this nice lady on youtube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD764451D8E87C345 I went back to the basics, watched every video, the way she taught, helped me. I still was having problems with word problems, found another youtube teacher, Bill Witte, really broke it down in terms I could relate to. Like you I took every test and quiz I could, brushed up on geometry a little, Took the test again on 8/7 this time- N&Q- 7-15, A&F 8-15, GEO 7-10, S&P 7-10. I also bought Dr. Gardner's book, I do like it. really is helping me on the numbers and quantity and understanding slope, so far. Really I think this version I just took was a little easier than the first one. My BIGGEST problem is I need to get faster, even on Dr. Gardner's practice quiz I time myself and still run out of time around question 45. I haven't figured out a solution for that.
Thanks I may need the videos! Well I ALSO run out at 45! I noticed at 42 is when I see 5 minute Flash Warning, so I have to guess then go back and finish up to 45! Hmmm must be something to that. We have to get 36 questions right. 56-42 I am guessing at way too many! I am gonna try the two sweep method, hope I can handle it. Where you go thru and do "easy" ones quickly then second sweep do next less time consuming ones first. I get test anxiety a bit so I wonder how I will deal with the sweeps. I will try. I only have 15 days to get thru this book! I want to do tests last week so I am having to cram. This will be try #3. I am already certified and don't get the why of all this. I passed all Praxis in 2007 first time. ACT fine, grades above 3.5. Passed reading and writing fine. THIS Math is for a math major, but I will keep spending $90.00 until I get it done. I got a job and it was for LBD Special Ed. They have a shortage and needed me to go thru alternate cert program. That is why I have to take this test. To get into the Alternate Cert Program for Learning Behavior Disorder. I already have a Masters, but that doesn't matter apparently. I am not a Math teacher I am an elementary Special Ed level teacher! BUT I have to do what they say. So however many times it takes!
Your perseverance is admirable and I understand your frustration. My situation was the reverse: I had to take a worthless class on K-3 reading in order to get my single subject math credential. At the time, I was like, "Are you joking me? What relevance does this have with high school mathematics?" Sometimes I think educational policymakers just randomly throw darts at a list of various subjects and say, "This looks very nice. Let's put this as the new standard so it gives the appearance that the field of education is more rigorous." Here's another example: The US Constitution exam. Show me one instance where this is EVER brought up in a mathematics classroom. Yet another piece of bull crappus that I had to waste my time with. Sorry for the rant, but I feel sorry for teachers who already have numerous certifications and advanced degrees in their field and have to still take nonsense that has nothing to do with their subject matter. Programs should ONLY have material that relates to the field of study in question. No more, no less. NOTE: I live in California so go figure.
Wow! I first think of how I am expected to "differentiate" according to my students needs, but I will not receive the same guidance as an adult! Seems they may be training us one way and treating us another way? I feel bad for you! You have to meet their standards even though they are not signifigant to your area! Imagine if that happened in high school? Parents would show up mad and everything would change. No parents to back us up as an adult. Lol! We could act like the snow flakes in this generation, and say it is soooo unfair! And ask for a crying room? Just teasing- just couldn't resist. I have actually learned over the years I have to to "just do it'. Complaining gets me nowhere really. The best way is for me to look the ridiculous in the eye, and try to beat it! Then, come what may I know I can face whatever is dished out to me in my career. I am born to teach so I got to teach!
I'll hazard a guess that that literacy class was motivated by the California Common Core State Standards in math (CA CCSSM). The math Framework, which elaborates the standards, discusses this point; see especially the chapter on Universal Access, which devotes a section to "New Language Demands of the CA CCSSM": The section goes on to list standards with examples, and explicitly directs math teachers to heed the English language arts/English language development content standards and framework, (670), which also address the issue of content-area literacy across the curriculum.
For those who did get lynn's book, did you happen to get the electronic copy?? I just got the electronic copy because I wanted to get it right away and I was able to download it but it will not open?? Any ideas??
I bought the hard copy, had it in 2 days. It also comes with an E copy. Mine opened fine. it is a zipped file and it opens with adobe.
I did. I printed it fine. It took 4 ink cartridges! 2 black 2 color. Email her, she is very nice and willing to help.
I just scheduled the math test again. Sept 2nd. I think I'm ready this time. I have been getting around a 83 average on Dr. Gardner's practice tests and finishing all 56 questions. I was hoping to have it done before we go back, it didn't happen. We start back on Monday the 28th.
Great! I take it Tuesday. Almost done with book.Sunday will start to try timing and simulating the tests. Wanted to finish entire book before took cumulative tests. I have been missing about 8 or less out of 56. That is tons better than before! Hey that is about same as your score I just calculated. 82% or a little higher is what I have been doing. I have been pacing though, working problems, then checking answers. I still have probability and stats to go. I am about done with Additional problems section today. We shall see. I feel pretty ready. I will know better come Sunday as I time myself. Best wishes to you!
? on page 5 of Lesson 5 ADDITIONAL Topics: IRRATIONAL NUMBERS: is 7 1/5 irrational? I convert it to 36/5 then it is 7.2. Since it terminates doesn't that mean rational? I am confused now. Is that my error or her the books error?
As the ever-helpful Math is Fun (www.mathsisfun.com/irrational-numbers.html) puts it, an irrational number is a real number that can't be written as a simple fraction. 7 1/5 is a mixed number that, as you discovered, can be rewritten as the simple fraction 36/5. 1/3 is also a simple fraction, even though it doesn't terminate. The classic irrational number is pi. It can't be written as an exact simple fraction (that is, 22/7 is APPROXIMATELY but not EXACTLY to pi, and when pi is expressed as a decimal, it's both non-terminating and non-repeating). So the error isn't yours, it's your source's. I always hate to find typos in my materials, but one tends to catch them over time, I'm afraid.
Thanks, best wishes to you also. For what it's worth, I've taken the test twice. I haven't encountered a question with irrational numbers yet. But I'm sure there is a version with it. I still have to pass writing, but I'm taking the Math test by itself, then binge on writing skills. My brain is burnt out on Math, I'll be happy with a 150 on the nose.
Oh No! I hate that. She in a hurry didn't get a proof reader for the additional section. She takes test every 3 months gotta get old writing and rewriting math test problems I say. Thanks!
Oh yes! Burnt out! This be #3 time since June 19. BUT this time I think Gardner's book helped so much. I am believing for 36 answers right!
In the problem you are referring to, the fraction 1/5 is an exponent of 7. This means the fifth root of 7, which is indeed irrational.
Well, that would certainly make a difference, yes. On the other hand, in a basic-skills math test I'd be surprised to see any roots problem much more complex than, say, the cube root of 27 or 125.
Lynn does an excellent job of remembering the tests exactly, so my bet is this is what she saw. I've taken the test four times and have seen my share of problems that I thought were too complex for a basic math skills test, so I don't put it past ETS to put something like that on the test. I saw a "which of following numbers are irrational" problem on one of the four tests I took, but none of the choices had a fifth root. - Tim www.wyzant.com/tutors/timctutor
I PASSED! 126, 128 to a 164. I even finished with 10+ minutes left! That is hard for me to believe, because the other two times I had to guess at the last 14 due to only getting to #42 at the 5 minute warning! I went up 36 points in just 3 weeks time! I am so relieved. Lynn Gardners' book is the only guide that really helped. I bought 5 other books! All a waste of time!
