Customer Reviews

CliffsTestPrep FTCE: General Knowledge Test

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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. :) )

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.

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.

Outstanding guide to the FTCE. Would have passed all areas if I had actually studied the math section. Highly recommended for those that want to teach.

This book was a help in my studies. A lot of the math I had forgotten but, with the help from the book I am more confident that I can take the exam.

I used this book and REA to prepare for the general knowledge test. This book is the better one of the two. REA's topics and reviews are more complicated than the actual test, in my opinion. If I did not use Cliffs, I still would be trying to decipher the REA's questions (particularly the math portion) and feeling very incapable of passing the test. Even though, Cliffs is a great study book because it closely resembles the GK test format, the review and practice questions of the math portion are less complicated than the ones in the actual test. However, it provides you with the basis to solve more complex problems. Make sure you understand what the problem is specifically asking, the easiest answer is not always the correct one.
I agree with some comments regarding the GK reading subtest, I thought the allocated time for that test was not sufficient. The math subtest was more complicated than I thought, the essay portion is not too difficult if you get ideas on what to write right away, and the language skills portion was not too bad especially if you study. I took the test last week and passed!!!!

Good luck to anyone who is going to take the test.... and remember practice, practice, practice

I took the FTCE general knowledge exam this weekend, and only used the Cliffs TestPrep as a study guide. I bought the book hoping there would be some great math material, since I had forgotten a lot of math since high school. It has 130 pages devoted entirely to math, explaining just about all there is to know for the exam. The rest of the book focuses on the English tests, and also offers some great explanations of sentence structure, word choice, grammar, etc.

The book was really great, and reflected the types of questions/material that was on the exam. I wasn't surprised by any of the questions on the exam, thanks to the guide. For anyone who's considering buying just one guide, I highly recommend this one. Good Luck!

I used this book to help me pass the GK. It had been a long time since I took a math class. This book realy helped me brush up on my math skills and consequently, keep my job! The math questions on the actual test were harder but the book gives you all of the foundation skills you need.

I purchased this book only for the Math portion of the study guide. So that is all I can really comment on but the math portion was very informative and easy to understand. I am terrible at math and this book was very clear and had excellent explanations for solving different math problems. I loved after each lesson whether it be fractions, percentages, or even geometry, there were mini sample questions in addition to the 2 full length tests at the back of the book. The one thing people should be aware of is the "Mathematics Reference Sheet" is very helpful, but I was under the impression it would be given at the test and it was not. So make sure to memorize the conversions and equations. I just took the test and passed. I found that the practice tests were similar in format and content to the actual test. I would definitely recommend this book for it's quality and affordable price to anyone!

This book was in great condition when I got it. Great book to prepare yourself for the GKT.
Gives you lots of questions with answers in the back to check your answers. I recommend to get this book. It helps you alot with each section and it even gives you some topics that might be on the essay part.