Customer Reviews

NY State Teacher Certification Exam

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This book has a tremendous number of errors. This should not be happening in a study manual for the NYS teaching exam. Most of the errors are in the Math Review section where the question doesn't match the solution! There are also errors in the Science Review. At one point a table doesn't match the questions! I have also found a couple of typos in direction paragraphs. The tips are good, but be aware of all the errors.

However, the answer reads as if the original question was "Which of the following WOULD be a...suggestion..by the mentor...". As follows:
32. (D) One of the key tenets in improvement of classroom management is treating students with love and respect. Some ways to do this is [sic] to give the students a surprise treat (A) or give them a reward for no reason at all (B). Choice C makes the student feel that the teacher is their friend.
D is incorrect [WHAA? REMEMBER, THEY JUST GAVE D AS THE CORRECT ANSWER.] because choosing a failing grade, even in private, will reduce the self-esteem of the student. AND THE OTHER AVAILABLE CHOICE, "E", ISN'T EVEN MENTIONED!

In addition, the copyright date of this book is 1999! The REA book has a copyright of 2002, and the note "...2003 printing". "Cracking The NYSTCE" has a 2003 copyright. Also all the ARCO study sections are for the LAST Exam, not the ATS-W exam. Plus, the ATS-W exams are marked 1 and 2. There doesn't seem to be any difference between secondary and elementary preparation in this book. Disappointing.

The book's tips are o.k. but there's a better format in The Princeton Review book "Cracking The NYSTCE". The REA book has good tests and good content reviews also.

Pending my decision to change careers from the law to teaching in NY State, I purchased both this book, and it's competitor book from Barron's. I found this volume HORRIBLE, in that it is filled with INCORRECT ANSWERS, TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS, and looks like a hasty compendium by a husband-and-wife team to put together a review book for Teacher Certification Candidates rapidly. Very disappointing, and AWFUL for those with less experience at spotting these discrepancies. USE THE BARRON'S ONLY!!!
[B.A., J.D. and Ph.D.]