Passing the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics (5169) Exam
Lets assume for the moment that you are confident you really know your math (which will be the case when you finish this book). Thats great, but you also need to know whats in this first chapter in order to pass the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics (5169) test. After all, if you dont know how to communicate your math competency because youre confused by the question format, unfamiliar with the online calculator, or youve made an innocent mistake that disqualifies you from taking the exam, how will you land a great teaching job?
Dont skip this chapter just because you want to get right to the math examples and test yourself with the exercises and practice tests presented in this book. Read this chapter through now, and then read it again after you finish studying the review chapters. The key to scoring well on the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics test is threefold:
1. Know the math (this goes without saying, but we said it anyhow).
2. Familiarize yourself with what you will face on the exam—no surprises to ambush you.
3. Be relaxed and at your best on exam day (e.g., wear comfortable clothes).
About the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics Test
Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the Praxis II tests. They are designed to evaluate the preparedness of an individual to teach subject-specific courses and are part of teaching certification and licensure in many U.S. states and territories.
The purpose of the Praxis II Middle School Math test (5169) is to assess the mathematical knowledge and competency for certification as a middle school math teacher. The people who take this exam come from a variety of backgrounds, but most are college seniors or recent graduates of a four-year college. Another contingent of people seeking certification include those who have had other occupations and are hoping to change careers, or teachers who are moving to a state that requires the Praxis for certification from a state that does not. The Praxis scores are transferable between states that both require the Praxis for certification.
The Middle School Mathematics test consists of 55 selected-response and numeric-entry questions. You have two hours to complete the test. Content categories include:
* Arithmetic and Algebra (approximately 34 questions)
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebra
- Functions and Their Graphs
* Geometry and Data (approximately 21 questions)
- Geometry and Measurement
- Probability, Statistics, and Discrete Mathematics
For a more detailed list of subtopics covered on the exam, see the Praxis Middle School Math 5169 Study Companion, available for download from www.ets.org/praxis.
How This Book and Online Prep Will Help You
“Praxis tests are demanding enough to require serious review of likely content.” —Educational Testing Service
A demanding test . . . scary, yes? So, even if you think you know the math, this book will help you prepare for your test. Our review offers complete coverage of the material you will find on the Praxis Middle School Mathematics exam, along with plenty of practice exercises. After youve finished studying and practicing with our test prep, youll be more than ready to tackle and pass this challenging test.
REAs comprehensive test prep gives you:
— An online diagnostic test to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses. Your instant score report will show you where to focus your study.
— Five chapters of review material explaining all the math concepts tested on the exam.
— Plenty of practice exercises with step-by-step detailed explanations that show you why the incorrect answers are wrong. Working through the exercises and studying the detailed explanations is part of your learning—dont skip them!
— An online posttest. Youve done your studying, now lets see what youve learned. Taking this posttest with instant scoring and topic-level feedback will let you know if you need more practice and review.
— Four full-length practice tests (two online and two in the book). Practice makes perfect, so practice as much as possible before taking the actual test.
Test Yourself at the Online REA Study Center
The REA Study Center (www.rea.com/studycenter) is where youll find the online material that accompanies this book—the diagnostic test, the posttest, and two full-length practice tests.
The Praxis Middle School Math is a computer-based exam. Practicing online at the REA Study Center will simulate test-day conditions and help you become comfortable with the exam format. The online content at the REA Study Center comes with these added benefits:
* Automatic Scoring—Find out how you did on your test, instantly.
* Diagnostic Score Reports—Get a specific score tied to each competency, so you can focus on the areas that challenge you the most.
* Detailed Answer Explanations—See why the correct response option is right, and learn why the other answer choices are incorrect.
* Timed Testing—Learn to manage your time as you practice, so youll feel confident on test day.
As you read this book, youll see icons telling you when to access the online material. Take your time as you work through the online practice—its all been designed to help you thoroughly prepare for your Praxis exam. (Youll be taking the online Diagnostic Test when you finish this chapter, but keep reading.)
Preparing for Your Test
ETS states, “Research shows that test-takers tend to overestimate their preparedness.” Dont get lulled into complacency. It is never too early to start studying for the test. Set a realistic time to review the material that will likely be on the test so you arent cramming. Cramming equates to forgetting—try to remember rather than memorize the material covered in this book.
Work out a study routine and stick to it. Reviewing class notes and textbooks, along with this book, will provide you with a strong foundation for passing this exam.
Scoring the Test
The one advantage of a computer-based test is that you can get an idea of how well you did at the end of the test. This is only partially true. You will be given your raw score (the sum of correct answers), and you can get a general idea from that how much you can celebrate. Your official score (ranging from 100 to 200) may not be immediately available.
The official score, along with a pass/not pass designation, will come later because the raw score on each test is actually weighted according to its difficulty, which makes sense. The tests are not identical. Each edition of a test has its own table to convert from a raw score to the official score so there is a standard across all forms of the test. Your official score, if it is not available at the end of the test, will be available approximately two to three weeks after the test date.
You can access your official score via the web using your Praxis account number free of charge for one year following the test date. Scores are no longer mailed. Passing scores vary by state. Visit the ETS website to see what your state requirement is. All states, however, require a minimum of 165 points for passing.
If you score in the top 15% of test-takers, you will be given a Recognition of Excellence (ROE), a prestigious award for outstanding individual performance on the Praxis test. Candidates who earn the ROE receive a formal recognition certificate and congratulatory letter from ETS. The honor is also indicated on score reports that are sent to you and your designated institutions.
Contacting ETS
If you need more information about the Praxis Middle School Mathematics (5169) test or if youre ready to register and schedule your test, visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website at www.ets.org/praxis.
Good luck on the Praxis II Middle School Mathematics (5169) test!