From the Back Cover
ARE YOU READY TO TEACH IN OKLAHOMA?
THEN USE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON THE MARKET TODAY. OGET & OSAT General Education (74) and Elementary Education (50 & 51)
The Most Complete Subject Reviews
Everything you need to know for the OGET (Oklahoma General Education Test) and the OSAT (Oklahoma Subject Area Tests) General Education (74) and Elementary Education (50 & 51) exams,
prepared by leading specialists in teacher education. Comprehensive review chapters cover all the subjects and skills tested on the General Education (74) and Elementary Education (50 & 51) OGET & OSAT exams.
The Best Practice Exams Available
3 full-length practice exams (1 for the OGET and 2 for the OSAT) based on the official General Education (74) and Elementary Education (50 & 51) exams – balanced to include every topic and type of question you can expect on the actual tests.
Total Explanations of Questions & Answers
Our OGET & OSAT General Education (74) and Elementary Education (50 & 51) practice exams come with detailed feedback on every question. We don’t just say which answers are right – but explain why the others are wrong, so you’ll be prepared on test day!
Proven Test-Prep Methods
REA’s focused OGET & OSAT content and practical advice have helped millions succeed on their exams. With our step-by-step plan, you can score high on the OGET & OSAT and get certified to teach in Oklahoma!
Federal Guidelines for NCLB Compliance
You can expect that candidates with NCLB-compliant credentials will enjoy preferential status in hiring. In Oklahoma, this means you need to pass the OGET & OSAT. Maximize your exam performance and master the OGET & OSAT with the unrivaled certification expertise that only REA can offer.
Get the World’s Most Advanced OGET & OSAT Software
REA’s TestWare combines a realistic test environment with the most powerful scoring analysis and diagnostic tools available. With every practice test you take, you’ll gain knowledge and confidence for the real exam. Automatic scoring and instant reports help you zero in on the topics and types of questions that give you trouble now, so you’ll succeed on the OGET & OSAT!
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Introduction
With this book in hand, you've taken an important step toward becoming a certified teacher in the state of Oklahoma. REA's all-new OGET/OSAT teacher certification test prep is designed to help you get into an Oklahoma classroom. The instructive chapters in this book provide complete coverage of the Oklahoma OGET and OSAT tests with in-depth reviews of every topic and area appearing on the exam. Full-length practice tests carefully derived from actual OGET (Field 74) and OSAT (Fields 50 and 51) exams will hone your test-taking skills. All practice test answers are explained in thorough detail to provide you with a greater understanding of the exam's content and difficulty. When you finish preparing with this book, you will be well-equipped with all the knowledge, practice, and strategies needed to succeed on these important exams.
About the Tests
What are the OGET and OSAT used for?
The Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) is designed to assess state core general education knowledge and skills, including critical thinking, computation, and communication. The Oklahoma Subject Area Tests (OSAT) are designed to assess subject-matter knowledge and skills. The OSAT Elementary Education test consists of two subtests: One is for reading, language arts, and social studies, while the second covers math, science, health, and fine arts.
Am I required to take these tests if I hold a teaching certificate from another state?
Comparable test evaluation is now available for out-of-state candidates. Contact the State Director of Assessment at the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, (405) 525-2612, for more information.
How is the test content determined?
The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation (OCTP) has the responsibility of developing a competency-based testing program for teacher candidates. The assessment was designed to examine competency in the following areas: general education, subject area, and professional teaching knowledge. Candidates for teacher licensure/certification are required to successfully complete the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET), the Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT), and the Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination (OPTE).
Who administers the OGET and OSAT?
OCTP has contracted with National Evaluation Systems (NES) and the Buros Center for Testing to assist in the development, validation, and administration of the assessments included in the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators (CEOE) program.
When are the OGET and OSAT tests offered? How long is the testing time?
The OGET and OSAT tests are offered five times a year. Test sessions are determined by the type of test you are taking. The OGET is only given in the morning. OSATs are given in both the morning and the afternoon. Additional information is available from the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation. The department can be contacted as follows:
Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation
4545 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 275
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3418
Phone: 405-525-2612
Fax: 405-525-0373
E-mail: octp@octp.org
Website: www.octp.org
Is there a registration fee?
Yes. Only cashiers' checks, money orders, or credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted for test fee payment. Information on testing fees and registration can be found in the CEOE Registration Bulletin available online at www.ceoe.nesinc.com.
How to Use this Book
What do I study first?
We recommend beginning your study with the comprehensive chapter reviews. It is important to read over each review, noting crucial test-taking suggestions and insights. By studying each review thoroughly, you will reinforce basic skills that are vital to performing well on the OGET and OSAT. After reviewing, take the practice tests. This will familiarize you with the actual exam's format, procedures, and level of difficulty. An added bonus to taking these practice tests is knowing what to expect on exam day.
Wisely scheduling your study time is also a key component to your success on the OGET/OSAT. To best utilize your study time, follow our flexible study schedule at the end of this chapter. The schedule is based ideally on a seven-week program, but can be condensed if needed.
When should I start studying for the OGET/OSAT tests?
It is never too early to start studying for your test. Time is your ally here. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills and focus your efforts. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you enough time to learn what will be required of you. It takes time to learn the tested areas and test format. Make the most of your time while you have it. Use it well to master the essentials necessary to pass.
Format of the OGET/OSAT tests
What is the basic format of the OGET/OSAT?
The OGET includes both selected-response questions and a single constructed-response (writing assignment) question. There are approximately 80-100 selected-response (multiple-choice) questions that account for approximately 80% of the test's scaled score. Each constructed-response question offers four possible answer choices. The writing assignment accounts for 20% of the total scaled test score.
The OSAT Elementary Education subtest 1 focuses on reading, language arts, and social studies. Subtest 1 contains approximately 40 selected-responses that account for 85% of your score. As with the OGET, the OSAT's selected-response questions offer four possible answers. Subtest 1's single constructed-response assignment accounts for 15% of your total scaled test score. The OSAT Elementary Education subtest 2 focuses on mathematics, science, health and fitness, and fine arts. Subtest 2 contains approximately 40 selected-response questions.
The constructed-response assignment is intended to assess subject knowledge and skills, not writing ability. However, your response must be communicated clearly enough to be scored. Your response to the constructed-response assignment will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
o The extent to which your response answers the question
o The accuracy and appropriateness of subject matter knowledge
o The quality and relevance of your supporting details
o The soundness of your argument and your understanding of the subject matter
About the Subject Reviews
The subject reviews in this book are designed purposefully to provide you critical insight into the content and form of the OGET and OSAT. For smarter study, we break down this part of test preparation into more manageable "chunks." Before you begin reviewing, it is important to note that your own schooling experience has taught you most of what is needed to answer the questions on the actual tests. Our review is written to help you fit and shape information acquired over the years into a context ideally suited for taking the OGET and OSAT.
You may also be taking test preparation classes for the OGET and OSAT, or have purchased other study guides and textbooks. Reviewing class notes and textbooks along with our subject reviews will provide you with an even better foundation for passing the OGET and OSAT.
Scoring the OGET/OSAT
Your test score report will be mailed to you and to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation approximately four weeks after you take the test. Unofficial scores will be available for online access by 5 p.m. CT on the official score report mailing date for each test administration. To access your unofficial scores, go to www.ceoe.nesinc.com and follow the score retrieval instructions.
Total test scores are reported as scaled scores. For the OGET and OSAT, scaled scores are reported using a range from 100 to 300, with 240 as the minimum passing scaled score. Your score report will indicate whether you have passed the test and will include your total test score and a description of your performance on the major content subareas of the test. These scores will provide you with valuable information for identifying the strengths and weaknesses in your content preparation.
And finally, if you do not do well on test day, don't panic! Each test can be taken again, so you can work on improving your score on your next test. A score on the OGET or OSAT that does not match your expectations does not mean you should change your plans about teaching.
Test-Taking Strategies
Although you may not be familiar with tests like the OGET/OSAT, this book will help acquaint you with this type of exam and help alleviate test-taking anxieties. Here are the key ways you can more easily get into an OGET/OSAT state of mind:
Become comfortable with the format of the OGET/OSAT. Practice tests are the best way to learn the format of the OGET/OSAT. When you take a practice test, try to simulate the environmental conditions of the actual testing facility. Remember, you are in training for the OGET/OSAT, and simulated testing conditions will only help you perform better. Stay calm and pace yourself. After simulating a test even once, you boost your chances of doing well, and you will be able to sit down for the actual OGET/OSAT with much more confidence.
Read all the possible answers. Examine each answer choice to ensure that you are not making a mistake. Jumping to conclusions without considering all the answers is a common test-taking error.
Use the process of elimination. GUESS if you do not know. If you do not know the answer immediately after reading the answer choices, try to eliminate as many of the answers as possible. Eliminating just one or two answer choices gives you a far better chance of selecting the right answer.
Do not leave an answer blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers, and you might even get it right if you had to guess at the answer.
Familiarize yourself with the test's directions and content.
Familiarizing yourself with the directions and content of the OGET/OSAT not only saves you valuable time, but can also aid in reducing anxiety before the test. Many mistakes...
