Consult the Florida Department of Education's Bureau of Educator Certification at www.fldoe.org/edcert to determine what tests are appropriate for you.
When should the FTCE be taken?
The test should be taken just before or right after graduation for those seeking certification right out of school. While the FTCE is required to teach in Florida, you may be issued a three-year temporary certificate while completing your teaching requirements and working toward passing the FTCE itself.
Computer-based tests are offered throughout the year in many locations; you simply schedule an appointment at a testing center. Paper-based tests are offered about six times per year at fixed times and locations Special accommodations can also be made for applicants who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically disabled, or specific learning disabled.
To receive information on upcoming administrations of the FTCE, consult the FTCE Registration Bulletin, which can be obtained by contacting:
FTCE/FELE Program
Pearson Evaluation Systems
PO Box 660
Amherst, MA 01004-9018
Phone: (413) 256-2893
Website: www.fl.nesinc.com
The FTCE Registration Bulletin also includes information regarding test retakes and score reports.
Is there a registration fee?
To take the FTCE, you must pay a registration fee. You may pay by personal check, money order, cashier’s check, or Visa or MasterCard. Cash is not accepted.
How to Use This Book
What do I study first?
Read over the reviews and the suggestions for test-taking. Studying the reviews thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to take the practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual FTCE.
To best utilize your study time, follow our FTCE Independent Study Schedule located at the end of this chapter. The schedule is based on a seven-week program, but can be condensed to four weeks if necessary.
When should I start studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the FTCE. 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, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material.
Format of the FTCE
The Professional Education Test features 120 questions designed to assess your knowledge of the information described in the competencies included in our review sections.
The test covers the 14 teaching competencies identified by the Florida Department of Education as foundational to effective teaching. Mastery of the content included in each of the competencies is gauged by one or more items on the examination. Individual test items require a variety of different thinking levels, ranging from simple recall to evaluation and problem solving.
The competencies are broad statements written in a way that reflects the information an entry-level educator needs in order to be a truly effective teacher. Within the review section, each competency is broken down into the competency statement and a description of what the competency covers. The competencies will not be discussed in the actual FTCE test.
All the questions on the FTCE are in multiple-choice format. Each question will have four options, lettered A through D, from which to choose. You should have plenty of time in which to complete the FTCE, but be aware of the amount of time you are spending on each question so that you allow yourself time to complete the test. Although speed is not very important, a steady pace should be maintained when answering the questions. Using the practice tests will help you prepare for this task.
Computer-Based Testing
Every test in the FTCE program may be taken as a computer-based or paper-based test, both of which are equivalent in length and difficulty. If you elect to take the computer-based test, you need to know only a few computer skills, such as using a mouse, clicking, double-clicking, dragging, and scrolling. A tutorial is offered preceding each computer-based test so you can become familiar with the screen and the functions. At the conclusion of the test, you will instantly receive an unofficial score, as well as your pass/fail status.
About the Review Sections
The reviews in this book are designed to help you sharpen the basic knowledge needed to approach the FTCE, as well as provide strategies for attacking the questions.
Each teaching competency is examined in a separate chapter. All 14 competencies are extensively discussed to sharpen your understanding of what the FTCE covers.
Your schooling has taught you most of what you need to answer the questions on the test. The education classes you took should have provided you with the know-how to make important decisions about situations you will face as a teacher. Our review is designed to help you fit the information you have acquired into specific competency components. Reviewing your class notes and textbooks
together with our competency reviews will give you an excellent springboard for passing the FTCE.
Scoring the FTCE
How do I score my practice test?
There are a total of 120 questions on the FTCE Professional Education Test. A score of 200 or higher, which is equivalent to 73% correct, is needed to pass. In other words, you need to answer approximately 88 questions correctly to achieve a passing score.
If you do not achieve a passing score, review the detailed explanations for the questions you answered incorrectly. Note which types of questions you answered wrong, and re-examine the corresponding review. After further review, you may want to retake the practice tests.
When will I receive my score report, and what will it look like?
Unofficial score reports are available through the FTCE website after 5:00 p.m. on the day of the test. Official score reports are issued approximately 2 weeks after each computer-based test, and approximately one month after each paper-based test. Your scores will be submitted electronically to the Bureau of Educator Certification.
A copy of your score report is provided to one Florida college or university and one Florida school district. You should have requested this information on your registration application.
When you receive your score report and have passed with a 200 or higher, only the word PASS will be reported. If you do not pass, you will receive a numeric score and will have to retake the test.
Studying for the FTCE
It is very important for you to choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some individuals may set aside a certain number of hours every morning to study, while others may choose to study at night before going to sleep. Other people may study during the day, while waiting on line, or even while eating lunch. Only you can determine when and where your study time will be most effective. Be consistent and use your time wisely. Work out a stud routine and stick to it.
When you take the practice tests, simulate the conditions of the actual test as closely as possible. Turn your television and radio off, and sit down at a quiet table free from distraction.
As you complete each practice test, score your test and thoroughly review the explanations to the questions you answered incorrectly; however, do not review too much at any one time. Concentrate on one problem area at a time by reviewing the question and explanation, and by studying our review until you are confident that you have mastered the material.
Keep track of your scores. By doing so, you will be able to gauge your progress and discover general weaknesses in particular sections. Give extra attention to the reviews th...
