Overview

ABOUT THIS BOOK and Testware®You are preparing to take the Praxis® I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST). Perhaps you are taking it for the first time. Perhaps you are retaking the exam. Whatever the case, this book, together with our exclusive REA TESTware® software, will help you pass.While working through this book and the CD-ROM, you will acquire a thorough and accurate understanding of what it takes to master the PPST. The comprehensive review material in this book covers all subject areas known to appear on the PPST, providing you with all the information you need to take this challenging certification exam.Test-takers should note that every time the PPST is administered, multiple versions of the exam are created and distributed to each testing center. These versions may contain a mix of different questions with different answers. This test versioning can add a greater level of uncertainty for the test-taker. Are you sure you are studying every topic enough? Are you adequately prepared for every test subject you may encounter on the PPST? You can rest assured. One important purpose of this book is to prepare you for every possible version of the PPST. We at REA believe you cannot prepare enough for this career-building exam.Apart from the book itself, we give you two full-length simulated PPST tests on CD-ROM. We strongly recommend that you begin your preparation with the TESTware® practice exams. The software provides the added benefits of automatic scoring and enforced time conditions.ABOUT OUR PRACTICE EXAMSYou will be allotted three hours to take the actual exam. This same amount of time is allotted to take each of our practice tests. REAs tests are carefully based on the current PPST exams, and thus contain every type of question that you can expect to see on test day, whether you take the paper-and-pencil PPST or the computerized PPST. Each practice test question is thoroughly explained in easy-to-follow detail. Sample responses are also provided for the essays to help you better understand and master the test material.ABOUT THE TESTWho Takes the Test and What Is It Used for?The PPST is used by many states as a gateway exam to certification and is part of the Praxis Series: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers. The PPST falls under the umbrella of Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments and is designed to test the reading, writing, and mathematics skills of its candidates.If you do not achieve a passing score on the PPST, dont panic. You can take the test again, so you can work on improving your score in preparation for your next administration.Who Administers the Test?Like all Praxis Series tests, the PPST is administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and involves the assistance of educators throughout the country. The test development process is designed and implemented to ensure that the content and difficulty level of the test are appropriate.When Should the PPST Be Taken?The PPST is usually taken immediately before the completion of a teacher certification program at a college or university. This gives candidates enough time to retake the test if they are not pleased with their score. Our practice tests will familiarize you with the format of the exam so that you do not have to go through the anxiety of learning about the PPST during the actual exam.When and Where Is the Test Given?The PPST is administered seven times a year at testing centers throughout the United States. Tests are usually administered on a Saturday; however, the test may be taken on an alternate day if a conflict, such as a religious obligation, exists.When you register for the PPST, your registration bulletin will contain test dates and administration sites. You may obtain a registration bulletin by contacting:ETS - The Praxis SeriesP.O. Box 6051Princeton, NJ 08541-6051Phone: (609) 921-9000Website: www.ets.org/praxisIs there a Registration Fee?Yes, you must pay a fee to take the PPST. Fee waivers are available for candidates who are unable to afford registration. You must be enrolled in a college undergraduate program and must prove that you are required by a registered score recipient to take the exam. Details regarding income eligibility levels are contained in the registration bulletin.HOW TO USE THIS BOOKWhat Should I Study First?Read over our review material, and then take the first practice test. This will help you pinpoint your areas of weakness. Study those sections in which you had the most difficulty first, and then move on to those areas that presented less of a challenge to you.When Should I Start Studying?It is never too early to begin studying for the PPST. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study. Give yourself enough time to become familiar with the format of the test and the material it covers. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more comfortable and confident you will be on the day of the test.FORMAT OF THE PPSTThe PPST is divided into three sections:The Reading Comprehension TestThe Reading Test measures your ability to understand and analyze written information. The test consists of several written passages and about 40 multiple-choice questions to test your understanding of those passages. You have one hour to complete this section of the exam.The Mathematics TestThe Mathematics Test measures competency in mathematical skills that an educated adult will require. It focuses on the ability to solve problems in a quantitative context. Several problems involve the integration of several skills into one problem-solving situation. The test consists of about 40 multiple-choice questions, which you have one hour to complete.The Writing TestThe Writing Test assesses the ability to communicate in written form using appropriate language and grammar. There are two separately timed sections in the writing test. The first consists of approximately 45 multiple-choice questions testing your facility with the use of standard English, and you have 30 minutes to complete it. The second section consists of an essay on an assigned topic to be written in 30 minutes.ABOUT THE REVIEW SECTIONSThe Reading Comprehension ReviewThe Reading Comprehension Review is designed to enhance the reading comprehension skills necessary to achieve a high score on the PPST. Strategies for attacking reading comprehension questions are thoroughly explained, and a four-step approach to answering the test questions is completely outlined. In addition, a vocabulary enhancer is included to help you better understand the passages on the test.The Basic Math Skills ReviewThe Mathematics Review will help you reinforce the arithmetic, algebraic, and geometric concepts that will be tested on the PPST. Drill questions are included that will help you sharpen your mathematical skills. A valuable reference table offers quick access to important formulae and an index of mathematical symbols. Careful review of this section should give you all the information you need to pass this section of the PPST.The Writing Skills ReviewThe Writing Skills Review contains a wealth of information concerning the structure, content, and form of the PPST essay. Regardless of the topic you are assigned on the exam, a concise, well-constructed essay is essential to achieve a passing score. Careful study of the Essay Writing Review will hone your essay writing abilities, so that you will be able to write your essay with confidence.SCORING YOUR PRACTICE TESTSHow Do I Score My Practice Tests?Educational Testing Service does not set the passing scores for the PPST. The bar is set by the institutions that require the test. Each test is scored separately, and a conversion table is included in this section that will help you convert your raw score (the number of questions answered correctly) into your scaled score (the score that a given institution will use to determine whether or not youve passed).PPST Reading Test Conversion TableNumber Correct Scaled Score Number Correct Scaled Score40 18739 18638 18637 18536 18435 18334 18233 18132 18031 17930 17829 17728 17727 17626 17525 17424 17323 17222 17121 17020 16919 16818 16817 16716 16615 16514 16413 16312 16211 16110 1609 1598 1597 1586 1575 1564 1553 1542 1531 1520 151PPST Mathematics Test Conversion TableNumber Correct Scaled Score Number Correct Scaled Score40 19039 18938 18837 18736 18635 18534 18433 18332 18231 18130 18029 17928 17827 17726 17625 17524 17423 17322 17221 17120 17019 16918 16817 16716 16615 16514 16413 16312 16211 16110 1609 1598 1587 1576 1555 1544 1533 1522 1511 1500 150PPST Writing Test Conversion TableMultiple-Choice Essay ScoreSection (Sum of Two Readings)(# Right) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 120-2 150 152 154 155 157 159 160 162 163 165 167 168 1703 150 152 154 155 157 159 161 162 164 166 167 169 1704 151 153 154 156 158 159 161 162 164 166 168 169 1715 151 153 155 156 158 160 162 163 165 166 168 170 1716 152 154 155 157 158 160 162 163 165 167 169 170 1727 152 154 156 157 159 161 162 164 166 167 169 170 1728 153 154 156 158 159 161 163 164 166 168 170 171 1739 153 155 157 158 160 162 163 165 166 168 170 171 17310-11 154 155 157 158 160 162 164 165 167 169 170 172 17412 154 156 158 159 161 162 164 166 167 169 171 172 17413 154 156 158 159 161 163 165 166 168 170 171 173 17414 155 157 158 159 161 163 165 166 168 170 171 173 174<...