Praxis II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (Test Code 0061): The Best Teachers' Test Preparation [Paperback]

Mel Friedman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0738603309 | ISBN-13: 978-0738603308 | Publication Date: March 27, 2007

PRAXIS II Mathematics Content Knowledge (0061)

For Teacher Certification

Are you prepared to excel on the PRAXIS II?

* Get to know the test, how it is scored, and much more.

* Set up a study schedule by following our flexible, results-driven timeline

* Take the first practice test to discover what you know and what you should know

* Use REA's advice to ready yourself for proper study and success

Sharpen your knowledge and skills

* The comprehensive review guides candidates through all the content and process categories on the official test, which is required in most states for certification. Content categories include: Algebra and Number Theory, Measurement, Geometry; Trigonometry, Functions, Calculus, Data Analysis and Statistics, Probability, Matrix Algebra, and Discrete Mathematics.

* Lessons reinforce necessary skills

* Key tutorials enhance specific abilities needed on the test

* Targeted drills increase comprehension and help organize study

Take Practice Tests

* Create the closest experience to test-day conditions with 3 full-length practice tests

* Chart your progress with full and detailed explanations of all answers

* Boost confidence with test-taking strategies and experienced advice

This test prep is a must-have for teacher certification candidates across the country!

REA books and software have proven to be the extra support teacher candidates need to pass their challenging tests for licensure. Our comprehensive test preps are teacher-recommended and written by experts in the field.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

ARE YOU READY TO PASS THE PRAXIS?
THEN USE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON THE MARKET TODAY.

PRAXIS II Mathematics Content Knowledge (0061)

The Most Complete Subject Review:
Everything you need to know for the PRAXIS II Mathematics Content Knowledge (0061) exam, prepared by leading teacher education specialists. Comprehensive review chapters cover all the subjects and skills tested on the exam.

The Best Practice Exams Available:
3 full-length practice exams based on the official PRAXIS test – balanced to include every topic and type of question you can expect on the actual PRAXIS II Mathematics Content Knowledge exam.

Total Explanations of Questions & Answers:
Each PRAXIS II Mathematics practice test comes 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 PRAXIS II Mathematics content and practical advice has helped millions succeed on their exams. With our step-by-step study plan, you can score high on the PRAXIS and get certified to teach!

Federal Guidelines for NCLB Compliance:
You can expect that candidates with NCLB-compliant credentials will enjoy preferential status in hiring. This means you need to pass the PRAXIS Assessments. Maximize your exam performance and master the PRAXIS Assessments with the unrivaled certification expertise that only REA can offer.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

About This Book

Introduction: Passing the Test

 

About the Book

 

REA’s The Best Teachers’ Preparation for the PRAXIS II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test 0061) is a comprehensive guide designed to assist you in preparing for this required test for teachers of secondary school mathematics. To enhance your chances

of success in this important step toward your career as a mathematics teacher, this test guide:

• presents an accurate and complete overview of the PRAXIS II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test

• identifies all of the important information and its representation on the test

• provides a comprehensive review of every content category on the test

• provides three full-length practice tests

• suggests tips and strategies for successfully completing standardized tests

• replicates the format of the official test, including levels of difficulty

• supplies the correct answer and detailed explanations for each question on the diagnostic and practice tests, which enable you to identify correct answers and understand why they are correct and, just as important, why the other answers are incorrect.

 

This guide is the result of studying many resources. The editors considered the most recent test administrations and professional standards. They also researched information from the Educational Testing Service, professional journals, textbooks, and educators. This guide includes the best test preparation materials based on the latest information available.

 

About the Test

The PRAXIS II Mathematics Test is designed to assess the mathematical knowledge and competencies for a beginning secondary school teacher. Below are the content and process categories used as the basis for the PRAXIS II Mathematics Test, as well as the approximate percentage of the total test that each category occupies. These categories represent the knowledge that teams of teachers, subject area specialists, and district-level educators have determined to be important for beginning teachers. This book contains a thorough review of all these categories, as well as the specific skills that demonstrate each area.

 

Who Administers the Test?

All the PRAXIS II tests are administered by the Educational Testing Service (www.ets.org/praxis).

 

Content Categories                            Approx # questions             Percentage

I.          Algebra and Number Theory             8                                              16%

II.             Measurement                                       3                                              6%

                 Geometry                                             5                                              10%

                 Trigonometry                                        4                                              8%

III.             Functions                                             8                                              16%

                 Calculus                                               6                                              12%

IV.       Data Analysis and Statistics                       5–6                                          10–12%

                  Probability                                            2–3                                          4–6%

V.        Matrix Algebra                                    4–5                                          8–10%

Discrete Mathematics                         3–4                                          6–8%

 

Process Categories -- Distributed Across Content Categories:

Mathematical Problem Solving

Mathematical Reasoning and Proof

Mathematical Connections

Mathematical Representation

Use of Technology

 

Can I Retake the Test?

Most states and institutions allow candidates who do not pass the PRAXIS II Mathematics Test to retake it as often as necessary until a passing score is achieved.

In these cases, candidates must reregister each time they retake a test. However, please check with your state or testing institution for their specific requirements. Candidates

who have passed a PRAXIS II Mathematics Test have me...

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Research & Education Association (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738603309
• ISBN-13: 978-0738603308
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fair to Middling, June 9, 2007

By 

C. Grant "Mustang Lady" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Praxis II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (Test Code 0061): The Best Teachers' Test Preparation (Paperback)

The good thing about this book is that it has 3 practice tests. The bad thing is that those tests are no where near as hard as the Praxis II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test.

Some parts of the book are well laid out with explanations. Others are not. I found a couple typos which drove me nuts because they were answers to problems.

The drill on probability has no explanations of the answers, and I have no clue how they came up with one answer. I've convinced myself it's a typo, but I don't have proof.

I would have liked more practice drills in the calculus section. I would have liked better explanations in the calculus and probability sections. I would have liked clearer instructions for the discrete math.

There are no explanations in the book about some of the test problems, such as standard deviation. There is an assumption you know about this.

And I would have liked more instruction on using the graphing calculator to solve those problems. I borrowed a graphing calculator and learned some about it, but not enough.

I live in Colorado and need a 65% to gain a "highly qualified" designation in math. On the last practice test, I attained that. However, I don't think I attained that score today when I took the actual test.

These tests are expensive to take and retake. I really want a product that's guaranteed to help me pass that test.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, August 4, 2007

By 

A. Grieser (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Praxis II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (Test Code 0061): The Best Teachers' Test Preparation (Paperback)

I had high hopes for this book as a friend had told me how great the REA review materials are, but I was very disappointed. I gave it 3 stars over 2 only because there are so few review books for this exam, and I appreciate the effort!

Good points: Exercises are available for most sections (but not all) and there are 3 full-length practice exams.

Bad points: This book is filled with typos, distractingly so. I suppose it's a good test of your math knowledge to be able to find them, but if I did not understand an answer or explanation, I had no confidence that there wasn't a typo involved. Having just taken the exam today, I can say with authority that the practice exams in this book are much too easy. Also, some of the questions didn't seem appropriate. For example, there are a few questions that require Z-score table lookups, which aren't included with this book nor are they with the actual Praxis II exam. I would much rather see questions involving logic I might actually encounter during the actual exam. Also, some of the questions require math knowledge not included in the review materials, which I found frustrating as I had to search frantically for other sources to explain things.

I wouldn't say don't buy this book; there are so few materials available for this test that you should really study everything you can get your hands on. Just be aware that if you use this as your sole review book and you aren't a math genius or it's been a while since you've taken math, I don't think it will give you good practice for the exam.

The CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (0061) (Cliffstestprep Praxis II) also has an okay level of review material, probably better than this one, but no practice exercise and its practice exams are also way too easy. As I mentioned in my review over there, I found that the "Complete Idiot's Guide" and "For Dummies" books were actually quite helpful. I'd suggest reviewing the material in this book (and the CliffsTestPrep one) and then using other more specific books in areas you are weak in.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not so good..., July 28, 2007

By 

R. Estabrook (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Praxis II Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (Test Code 0061): The Best Teachers' Test Preparation (Paperback)

I am very disappointed by this book. I am taking the test in a week, and began going through this book a couple of weeks ago. It is FULL of typos and errors. It is poorly organized, lacking consistency. Explanations are often confusing or harder than they have to be. This book needs SERIOUS editing in order to be useful - I'm wondering how the company could have let the book go to print with all the errors it has.

I found the practice tests useful, although they had some redundant questions, and they too contained typos and errors and even a couple of questions that didn't make sense (eg. one question asked for the domain and range but the answers were just of the range, one question asked to "solve the triangle" but gave just one of the missing parts in the answer choices.

I'm trying another test prep book for this coming week - I hope it is better written and edited.