Useful Web sites for multiple subject tests

studying like crazy

ok I have checked out every movie about world history, US history and CA history in the nearby libraries and I'M still not ready ready for Sat. I got an English tutor for 5 hours to help me with grammar and poetry but I'm still feeling nervous....what are these exams doing to us!!!!! does anyone got any last minute study tips to share!!!!!! awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!! I'm going CRAZY!!!!!! I have failed the sub-test 1 twice and I don't want to fail again!!!! HELP!!!! SOS!!!

 

Please don't cram Friday night, yessiebravo.

Look for connections between world history, US history, and California history - there's very little in California history that isn't also US and/or world history, including the notorious Gold Rush.

What are you seeing on your score reports?

 

On the first try I missed it by 3 points on the second by five....I get stuck on the writing my mind just goes blank....I don't know what I'm doing wrong

 

Ah, very close. Could be a relatively small process issue. What are you seeing on side 2 of your score reports?

 

Hello everybody....

Well yesterday (I took the science/math of cset) was just awful! I am extremely disappointed that cset didn't vary their questions more since there were hardly anything on biology or astronomy (lots on Physics). NOTHING at all on the stuff that I studied for, but rather on things that one wouldn't normally ever hear about, or even read about deliberately since none of my study guides mentioned them! If I pass this portion, it would be a miracle since it took me all of 4.5 hours, and I still wasn't sure on about 9-12 questions. The short responses were ok, except for the math portion, which I probably didn't score so well on...but oh well....no sense in beating myself up for things that I cannot control, right?! Honestly, I believe it's just all a ruse--a deliberate attempt to trick us so that they wouldn't have to pass so many teachers. I also think it's because California can't get it together in terms of its budget....and I can go on and on about my quibbles, but I will spare you all.

Anyhow, I hope you all did well yesterday (if you had taken section 2 like I did). It was a war zone! I feel really beat up.....

 

Your study guides had nothing on physics??

 

Oh yes maybe one, but mostly on chemistry questions. Nothing at all on cells, mitotic/meiotic, etc., etc., Or perhaps it's only because i hardly had much sleep the night before so I don't recall anything

I'm just disappointed at the lack of variety, that's all :yawn::yawn:

 

Yes, the study guides covered everything. The CSET exam did not.

 

Cells? That's not physics, that's biology.

It stands to reason that a given version of a given subtest of a teacher test won't cover everything. CSET-MS Subtest II has 52 multiple choice questions and four constructed responses, and that's not very many questions in which to plumb the sum of human knowledge in science and math.

 

I hear you! I've lost all my energy studing for this test. I don't even want to touch another study guide. Now the waiting! We're to wait for the results. I'm trying to cheer up, but it's nearly impossible.

 

But that's just what I'm saying. They had at least 3-4 questions between physics and chemistry and hardly anything on biology. And yes, as I said, nothing about cells, which is biology! They had one question on natural selection. I mean, the study guide focused SO much on biology (it had a huge section on it), so one would expect at least 3 questions from that portion, would not one? That's really all I'm saying. It should be more varied since so much of the practice exams had them. c'est la vie, je supposent!

 

The scores come out on Oct. 6.....good luck to you too!

 

Oui, petit_ecole, c'est la vie: one hears the same thing about the other subtests, too, that one version or another had nothing on x and lots on y. In some cases this has worked to the test taker's advantage... though the volume of complaint when it doesn't is much higher, naturally.

Like the different versions of the subtest, different test guides inevitably specialize - for the compelling reason that there's no way to cover everything every test taker is going to need to know in a book that would be both engaging and affordable. (Believe me, I've tried.) This is why it makes sense to consult the subtest description: what's on that description is fair game.

Which is not to say I don't sympathize. Have a hug. I'll add that from what you've posted here, I think you stand a decent chance of coming out okay anyway. If you don't, let's talk.

 

tell me about ..I have spend so much money on trying to pass Sub-test one.....is ridicules...I passed Sub-test two with no problem..there are some cute cartoon programs on physics on youtube I believe they are called eurika
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by-7kkAu2Pg there's like 30 of them.....
also for algebra " Key to Algebra" is excellent since it goes very very slow..... I also checked out videos in the library about science and math....... since I"m very stupid I need to see it to understand it!!! anyway that's what I did for the science part of the CSET if anyone want to share any study guides or strategy for CSET multiple subject Sub-test one...just in case I did not pass again please let me know

 

Um. Needing to see information to understand doesn't mean one's stupid, yessiebravo, it just means one needs to see information to understand.

Have you tried drawing pictures of the terms and relationships you need to understand for Subtest I?

 

I passed it!!! I'm all done with all my state testings!!!! thanks for all your support!!!

 

Congratulations, yessiebravo! And don't forget to take some credit: no one ever passed one of these things by dumb luck.

 

thank you ....you are so sweet

 

Congrats yessiebravo!!! I can't wait to feel how you feel... I just passed Subtests 1 and 2 on the first try... I'm hoping for the same with subtest 3! Great job, it's awesome to see other people succeed so that everyone knows it's not impossible! =)

 

The rumor mill spreads perfectly hideous reports of these tests; one hears people claim that only about 15% of test takers pass CSET-MS. In fact, however, state statistics suggest that 15% is closer to the number of test takers who DON'T pass, over time.

 

Question: Are there folks here who are already teachers, but had to take the CSET? Just wondering since I'm now applying for the credentialing program, and I wanted to know what to expect. I understand that one doesn't get hired right away (esp. since there is this budgetary constraints, etc), but maybe someone can give me some pointers on the expectations. And perhaps for those who are going through a credentialing program, what can I expect to learn from the program? A teacher once said to me that they don't really teach you how to become a teacher, but my question is, would they teach you how to teach, I hope? You see, I'm doing everything by the book, meaning that I have first taken all of the necessary exams. I haven't even subbed (sp. chk) yet. I have watched a classroom and did a little interaction with the kids, but not to a full extent.
Thanks all!

 

I have a question for those who live in the SF district: Do any of you know of a really good elementary school or even a good Catholic elementary school where one can volunteer? Meaning, a school with a nice principal and staff?

Thanks much!

 

Hey petit_ecole... for my credential program, you need at least 50 volunteer hours in a classroom setting. I'm barely into the classes, but I think you just learn... well... how to teach! There are curriculum classes and such that go over each subject area and how to apply and teach it in the classroom, effectively, for your students. I'm still working on my BA (graduating in June) and taking pre-requisite courses as well, at a different university. So I'm still new at this, too! But I can say, I have over 80 hours now of volunteer work since March, and it is absolutely priceless. The experience is so valuable, it's amazing, and it's reconfirmed my desire to become a teacher, I love it =) I wish I knew the SF area well enough to recommend a school... (I live in San Jose).

 

Thanks MandiNicole.

I'll be starting another volunteer gig next week. For SFSU, we only need 45 hours of volunteer time, but I totally agree that the volunteer experiences really help; even just getting one acquainted with the different curriculum that are taught, and how teachers deal with several challenges at one time. Plus it helps teachers A LOT when there are volunteers in the classroom.

When I was in grade school (which was eons ago), I don't ever recall having an extra adult helping my teachers. The teachers managed the classrooms all by themselves with NO help, and I think to this day that they had done a really great job at controlling the classrooms and making students pay attention. Of course I went to a girls' Catholic school then so the nuns and priests pretty much put the fear in God in all of us. We were great kids! But now it's a different ballgame. Since religion cannot be taught or even the very mention of God has been forbidden, there is absolutely no fear from these kids. Is it me, or are kids these days more ignorant and less obedient than the kids from many moons ago? I see this particularly in middle school, which I have vowed never to touch. Manners go out the window, and they have no respect for their elders.

I don't think it hurts for teachers to point out simple good manner instructions like saying "Good morning, good afternoon, thank you, you're welcome, etc." to students just to reinforce good manners. I have pointed this out to the little ones when I volunteered, and I will certainly continue to do so again. Kids are growing up full of angst just because their parents or adults around them are not being good role models.

 

Yes, this is definitely an important idea, and one that I plan to fully incorporate in whichever grade I teach. I'm in a first grade classroom (actually, MY old first grade teacher's class!!!) and she is so great at teaching the kids manners... she even takes her classes on a lunch field trip towards the end of the year to a nicer, family-owned Mexican restaurant in our city where all the kids dress up, the boys open the door for the girls and pull out their chairs... it was absolutely adorable, I had the pleasure of going with them last year. I appreciate her teaching them manners... she will call on someone based on who's sitting nicely and properly in their chair, make sure they always say please and thank you... it's just a great idea =) Kids need that these days, I agree! =)

 

Praxis II Middle School English

Does anyone have any tips on passing this one? The toughtest part seems to be the very specific questions regarding book content and eras? Any advice?? Thanks in advance!

 

kristenart, I think you'll find more help in the Single Subject Tests subforum, notably http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=31052 and http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=21014.

 

Robert Duncan is a great teacher for those planning to clear Multiple subjects. His website is www.csettutor.com
I cleared all 3 subtests with his help.

 

Hi. Yes, I've taken them and they were helpful since Robert will only go over the specific ones you'll see on cset. I think it's money well spent, just take LOTS of notes. Studying a multitude of things is just crazy, and he alleviates the ones that won't be covered and focuses on the ones that will most likely show up. He's pretty on target. Good luck!

 

Is this three days in a row? That would be a brain-bender.

 

One can take the courses one after the other, certainly, but I elected to separate them according to the exams that I was focusing on, plus it was cheaper that way. It's very intense to do all three and yes it would take from Friday thru Sunday, but highly worth it!

 

Interesting.

 

It is horrible how the state creates so many exams for teachers to take and then tells them that they have to have a bachelors then a masters to get a preliminary credential then they have to take more classes to get a clear credential.
Why not just charge $100,000 for a final degree and credential so that teachers know what they are getting into. Oh, I guess I forgot about all those teachers that have paid so much money for a preliminary credential and then decide that they can't take it anymore. Ok, charge $2,000,000. for a final degree and credential.
At least I will know where I stand.

 

As far as I know, tchrwonub, California doesn't require a master's degree for a preliminary credential; if you're hearing that, it could be from a university that's trying to increase the ranks in its master's programs.

You sound very bitter. Are you having trouble with CSET-MS?

 

Are there any websites or sources that I should check out to study for CSET-MS subset III?
Thanks.

 

Well, start with the subtest description, and you could certainly look up the technical terms in it using Answers.com, then following up the terms there...

You could also search the threads here for references to Subtest III or to the domains (PE, human development, arts) covered in it.

Which of the domains has you most concerned?

 

None of the domains have me particularly concerned. I haven't begun studying for the exam; I'm wondering if 1 month is a reasonable amount of time to study for Subset III as the next test date is May 16th.

I would like to thank you for always taking time to answer everyone's questions.:thanks:

 

If none of them has you particularly concerned - and if that's because you feel reasonably well versed in all three, and if you're average or better as a test taker - then, sure, one month should be plenty.

And you're welcome!

 

Hi TeacherGroupie,
You have been always very helpful.Thanks a lot !
I cleared my Cbest with your advice.Now, as I had to move Florida bcoz of my husband's job.I'm planning to give FTCE K6.The site you mentioned above ,as I'm not teaching presently .Am I eligible to use that? And can you give me some more advice about study materials for the test or any other sites.

 

I'm the wrong person to ask if you're eligible, frankly. But you can certainly check this thread and the others in this subforum for suggestions that work with other states' tests - there are differences among the tests, but there are also useful similarities.