CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test [Paperback]

Jeffrey S. Kaplan (Author), Sandra Luna McCune PhD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764589482 | ISBN-13: 978-0764589485 | Publication Date: September 9, 2005 | Edition: 1

Your guide to a higher score on the FTCE: General Knowledge Test

Why CliffsTestPrep Guides?

Go with the name you know and trust Get the information you need--fast! Written by test prep specialists

About the contents:

Introduction
* An overview of the exam
* Notes on how to use this book
* Answers to your questions about the test


Part I: Diagnostic Test

Part II: Subject Reviews
* Reviews of exam subjects, including English language skills, reading, and math
* Sample questions and answers
* Guidelines for writing the essay


Part III: Two Full-Length Practice Examinations with Answers and Explanations

Test Prep Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes?

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your guide to a higher score on the FTCE: General Knowledge Test

Why CliffsTestPrep Guides?

Go with the name you know and trust Get the information you need—fast! Written by test prep specialists

About the contents:

Introduction

• An overview of the exam
• Notes on how to use this book
• Answers to your questions about the test

Part I: Diagnostic Test

Part II: Subject Reviews

• Reviews of exam subjects, including English language skills, reading, and math
• Sample questions and answers
• Guidelines for writing the essay

Part III: Two Full-Length Practice Examinations with Answers and Explanations

Test Prep Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes®

About the Author

Jeffrey S. Kaplan, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Educational Studies in the College of Education at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He has spent thirty years in education in the state of Florida. Dr. Kaplan has authored many publications on teacher preparation and lectures widely at state and national professional conferences.

Sandra Luna McCune, Ph.D., is Regents Professor and math specialist in the Department of Elementary Education at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Dr. McCune is a nationally recognized author of teacher education test preparation review materials..

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 1 edition (September 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764589482
• ISBN-13: 978-0764589485
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Education & Reference > Education > Test Guides - Careers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Meat-and-Potatoes Guide, September 10, 2006

By 

Stephen A. Berry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test (Paperback)

I used the the September 2005 edition to study for the GK. [Hopefully there'll soon by a 9/06 guide.] It tracks precisely with the competency sections tested in all areas of the GK. My only criticism is that if you are so fortunate as to get one of those harder tests they give out, :) the practice questions on the math portion in the CN's book are not sufficiently difficult.

I also purchased the GK guide put out by REA, which isn't as good a guide to the overall GK test, but has a wider variety of practice questions. If you use this Cliff Note's book as the basis for your studies and cull through the REA guide for additional, harder math problems, all should be well. (Note: there is a rumor in Florida that the computer-based math test is almost always easier than the written test. Trust me--this is not true. :) )

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good test prep, March 31, 2008

By 

A. Walker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test (Paperback)

I purchased two test prep books for the FTCE General Knowledge Test. This was by far the better of the two. I was very familiar with the content, so I was mostly looking for the practice tests. This book has TWO full practice tests as well as smaller quizzes throughout the book.

I took the test and passed all of the sections in March 2008

All three of the multiple choice sections of the practice exams were VERY representative of the actual tests. Good prep!

I think that the front of the book (where they teach the content) is very good in this book, though I did not read most of it. But, comparing it to the other prep book for this test, it is much more comprehensive. So, if you need to brush up on the content, this looks like a good book from which to learn the material.

If you were only going to buy one book to prepare for the test, I would say this one will help you. I used this and the XAM book, and this one is far above the XAM book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Review Book, July 13, 2008

By 

Adrienne Miller (Lake County, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test (Paperback)

I found this book helpful in providing a review of the types of questions similar to those found on the actual FTCE General Knowledge Exam. The book covers question types and detailed answers for all four areas of the exam; Reading, Math, English Language Skills and the Essay. There are 2 full-length practice exams at the end with detailed answers.

After being out of school for several years, I found the book useful in providing a review of general knowledge questions, especially the entire math section. The book contains a lot of pages and for those who don't have a lot of time to examine the book, you may want to skim through the sections and problems, then concentrate on the areas that you need more help in understanding/remembering; for me, that was the math section. The actual test includes a page listing some of the formulas you might use, but you still need an understanding of general math principles and problem solving to realize which formula/equation to use to answer the questions, not to mention how to solve the equation once you pick a formula to use. I felt that this book provides that understanding.

I also purchased a Test Preparation Guide issued by the Florida Department of Education which can be downloaded from the FTCE Testing website for a small fee. It is a smaller guide, but I used this side by side with Cliffs TestPrep book.

Overall, I found the Cliffs TestPrep General Knowledge book helpful. I passed the FTCE General Knowledge Exam after taking it for the first time.