Customer Reviews

MSAT - The Best Test Prep for the Multiple Subjects Assessment for Teachers (PRAXIS Teacher Certification Test Prep)

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

 

 

First the book is excellent for it's source of general information in Language arts, math, science, etc. However the questions in the mutiple choice and content knowledge are nothing close to the actual questions on the real exam.

The Cliffnotes book is even worse. I studied from three books, Everything a 4th, 5th, and 6th grader needs to know. I studied for a 1.5 months and passed. I didn't study for the art section and human development section. The sections you need to focus on are Math, language arts, science,and social studies. These area are worth the most points.

The key to passing the MSAT is to answer all the essay questions.
Please e-mail me and I can explain everything you need to know.
I also passed the R.I.C.A. and I can tell you about that as well.

If you can pass the sample tests in this book, you can pass the MSAT. I used this book, the E.D. Hirsch series, "What your second grader (third grader, fourth grader, etc) needs to know", and the Cliffs Notes MSAT preparation book. THe Cliffs Notes book is also available from Amazon.com but you need to really search for it. Of all the books, I thought this one was the best. To avoid confusion, I'm going to call this book the REA book. It is packed with information. It had so much information that I had a hard time retaining it, even after just finishing the page. I would use the "what your ___ grader needs to know" books to simplify the material and chop it into digestible blocks, and then go back and review the REA book to see what I had missed. This book is lacking a section on California History. That section is available on the Cliffs Notes. Cliffs Notes and the REA book have decent math reviews. I thought both did well on the literature and language portion. REA's history review was substantially better. Cliffs Notes and REA both recommend a three month study schedule. I passed the test on my first try. I was very glad I used the 3 month study schedule, it takes about that long to reaquaint yourself with all the information you once knew but forgot about 10 years ago.

I highly recommend the REA study guide above the other MSAT test prep books. Its History and Literature sections are very detailed and provide ample review, if you have more than a month to dedicate to studying. However, if you are pressed for time, I would recommend the Cliff's Notes MSAT prep guide, which is more of an outline of what you need to know. I also found the practice tests in the Cliff's book to be more similar to those on the actual MSAT. Good luck!
-C.K., student teacher, Oakland, CA

This book will definitely prepare you for the MSAT. I spent a month studying about every page of this study guide and passed the test with no problem. No study guide can prepare you for all possible questions on this test. This book will for sure refresh your memory on important key concepts though.

I used this book as part of my study stategy and am happy to say that I passed my MSAT on the first try. What you have to bear in mind is the huge scope of information that MSAT potentially covers, makes it impossible for any review book to hit on questions that may actually appear on your exam. The Hirsch books(What every 4th, 5th 6th grader needs to know) were very helpful in focusing on specifics, in terms of facts. California is changing exams for teacher credentialing and will now require the CSET instead of the MSAT. I understand the form is different, fewer essays and more emphasis on California history, but the rest is not too much different than MSAT. Have confidence in yourself, eat a good breakfast, bring a snack and don't psyche yourself out. I am in my mid-40's and am working on my Master's as well as a credential after being away from school since 1977. You can do it!

This book is an excellent overall review of basic knowledge and concepts that are covered on the test. If you know this book well, you will do well on the test. Its thick and covers every topic necessary.

While the MSAT is no longer being offered, I feel that those who will be taking the CSET will still benefit from the information contained in this book. If you struggle the most in history, this is the book for you. Half of the book (excluding the practice exams)is a detailed review of American and World History. It covers anything you could imagine would be asked on the exam in this section. The book also has a good math and literature section. The book's weak points are the other sections: science, art, and human development. I passed the MSAT on my first try using this book along with other books which I highly reccomend. Get the Cliffs Notes MSAT book which goes into less detail but is good to skim through as an outline to accompany the REA book. Finally, get the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade "What Your --- Grader Needs To Know" books for some more facts. The combination of these 5 books will help you succeed as long as you study hard and don't give up. I did it, and so can you. Good luck on the CSET!

This book was helpful in terms of preparing me for the format of the exam. I, like so many others, recommend the Hirsch books (What your xxx grader needs to know) for detail on subject matter. I took the test on 1/11//03 and passed! If you are getting your credential in California, the MSAT is being phased out. Hopefully there will be study guides for the CSET (MSAT's sucessor) soon. CSET is a different test, not just a name change from MSAT.

I found the tests prepared me for the exam and would highly recommend the REA. There are slightly fewer exam questions on the current MSAT than what is presented in the REA book. The reviews are thorough and well done. The best book of the ones I looked at.

This book was a tremendous help. I used it as my primary study guide and I passed the exam on my first try! Give yourself plenty of time to read through it though - the information is highly condensed. I also used the Cliffs Notes book and the "What your ... needs to know" series. Good luck!