Customer Reviews

How to Prepare for the TExES: Texas Examination of Educator Standards (Barron's How to Prepare for the Texes: Texas Examination of Educator Standards)

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I was extremely disappointed with this review. I'm preparing for TExES and I bought just about all guides available at Amazon. It has four tests to practice, but each test uses at least 30% of questions from the previous test, just with changed names. And all 37 questions that you can get from free official TExES Manual (grades 8-12) are included in Barron's tests. The design of tests also needs improvement. The competency is stated right before each question on the test, and that reduces the educational value of the test for me. With so many "recycled" questions, I was hoping that I could practice recognizing competencies tested in the questions, but Barron's took that option away from mee too. Each question has detailed answer, but the answers are organized in such a way that sometimes you are left wondering which answer the authors actually think is right.
At this point, having completed the review, I feel like I memorized the questions and right answers, but that did not do anything for my ability to recognize patterns in questions or build deeper knowledge base in preparation for the test. And I don't have any confidence that the same questions will be on the actual test.

I bought this book and the Preparing for the Texes PreK-4 Certification by Janice Nath. That is the book you need to get, not this one. I was so frustrated with this book and not being able to answer the questions correctly. The ones on the test weren't even as hard as the ones in this book. I was studying for the EC-4 test. I lost confidince after working in this book. But after studying in Nath's book I felt great and passed the test the first time. Don't buy this book for the EC-4 test.

After hearing that many of my friends have failed this test three or more times, I was determined to succeed. This study guide covered each competency across the domains in a clear and precise way. The practice tests included allowed me to diagnose my areas of weakness so that I could concentrait my energy in these areas. What I found most helpful was that the language used in the book's practice tests was most similar to the actual test questions. For me, this was half the battle. The second half was the reasoning and justification of the practice test answers. This allowed me to move from the perspective of test taker to test maker- and understand why one answer would be better than another. The result: I passed the first time with a score of 270. I have since passed on this book to a lady who also passed after failing three times. Thank you Van Tassell and Crocker!

This is the worst study guide I ever read before. Is not aligned with any of the objectives that the new test includes. Besides is very incongruent with the concepts presented, differs a lot with the concepts of the real test. I felt horrible when I arrived to take the test and I couldn't perform at a good level, I felt totally frustrated and unprepared. As advertised this book is your Blue Print for Test... FLUNK.

I've failed both the Excet and TExES Exams a few times. On every single test, I would make that "magical score" of 238 (or a few points lower)--talk about sheer madness! Honestly, I was ready to give up teaching in Texas.

Thank God (and the constant, unbearable proddings of family and friends) that I didn't. One great personality trait I do have is preserverance.

With the combination of Barron's Texes Guidebook and a Region 10 Texes study session, I passed the first time with a score in the 260's. What a relief--the nightmare was finally over!

As an out-of-state certified teacher, I've learned a few things about taking my Texes Test:

1) If you've EVER taught in the classroom, COMPLETELY throw out everything you've learned mentally! The reason why college students usually pass on their first or second try is because of their current book knowledge and no full-time experience.

2) To study WITH lots of noise! Man, that's extremely tough for introverts (yes, the REAL me away from school). The result was that I had developed great focusing skills due to mentally "blocking out" distractions.

3) Region 10 (or wherever you are) study sessions are a MUST!

4) Keep and study the Barron's book. However, I've loaned it out to one of my friends and he passed it the 1st time! Since then, I've been REALLY popular.

5) Last but not least, NEVER, EVER give up on your teaching dreams! I have a ton of business experience (which I use as a temp during the summer), but my God-given "gift" and career is being a teacher.


P.S. I LOVE TEACHING!!!

TExES: Texas Examinations Of Educator Standards
By Frances Van Tassell and Betty Crocker
Barron's Educational Series
www.barronseduc.com
2004
ISBN # 0-7641-2884-1
Large Paperback/Textbook
$14.95 US
$21.95 Canada



Every school year seems to bring more and more mandated test for students in Texas schools. Teachers too are being tested, not just in the classroom, like never before. In previous years, such required certifications were under the umbrella of the ExCET tests. Now, the name has been changed to TExES and this book serves as study guide to those new teacher certification tests.

Written by professors in the Department of Education at The University of North Texas (Denton, Texas), this book contains lots of helpful information. Part 1 consists of an introduction to the requirements, who is required to take the test, and suggested guidelines for using this comprehensive 444-page book. Sections that most students would normally skip but serve to help those who take the time to read them.

Section 2 is a twenty-page guide to preparing for taking the test. Information that is aimed primarily towards this test but would be helpful for any student regarding tests.

Section 3 covers current teacher standards and competencies using detailed explanations of both. As a parent of two active boys, this section was also very interesting as it explained some of the actions teachers have taken with my children.

Section 4, which covers chapters 13-18, provides diagnostic and sample tests for every grade level in public school.

This is followed by several appendices that cover websites, printed material and appropriate rules and standards. A glossary and index completes the text.

Detailed and comprehensive, this book is a must for those of us, regardless of the reason, interested in teacher standards in Texas.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2005