Customer Reviews

How to Prepare for the LAST/ATS-W/NYSTCE (Barron's How to Prepare for the LAST/ATS)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I only bought this book because I wanted some extra practice tests in addition to the one that came with the Kaplan book. As it turns out this was the better of the two books. This book contains everything one needs to pass the LAST. I cannot say whether or not it is right for the ATS-W as I have not gotten that far yet. Everything you need to know is explained in great detail with plenty of practice questions and their explanations.

Thius book gives an excellent overview of the LAST and ATS-W with a plan for a quick review and more in depth review if you need it.
The questions on the practice tests were a lot like the tests I just took. I highly recommend this book.

Don't buy this book if you are looking for a practice test for the LAST. The test questions in this book were nothing like the ones on the test. The LAST is basically a reading comprehension test. While it does test different subject areas, all the information you need to answer the questions is generally found in the text provided. The Barron's book aknowledges this yet has several questions that expect you to have have specific previous knowledge to answer the questions.

Do buy this book if you want a quick review of the different subjuect areas. The book provides information to help you brush up on the different content areas. I didn't find this type of review especially necessary for the test.

I have never been so appalled by a test prep book in my life- there were typos on every page, and incorrect answer keys. For example, it would print that (A) was the correct answer for question 42, and then go on to explain why (C) is the correct answer. The book also focuses on reviewing elementary math, of which there was ONE question in the test itself, and does not provide helpful strategies for reading comprehension, which was the majority of the test. You had to be much smarter than the book for the practice tests to be at all helpful; and in the end the real LAST was formatted so differently from the practice tests provided in this book that I would have been better off reading Aristotle to prepare for reading comprehension, instead of this book. In most test books I can glean that while the "matter" is not the same as the actual test, the "method" is, so that helps prepare one. This book lacked BOTH. I would recommend very enthusiastically to NOT GET THIS BOOK.

Despite the annoying repeated grammatical errors in this book, it does a nice job preparing you for the ATS-W and reviewing educational subject matter; however, the questions in this book made me worry obsessively about the LAST. When I took the test, it was MUCH easier than what this book made it out to be. My advice: use common sense to get you through the LAST, but buy this for the ATS-W.

I cannot believe that a reputable brand such as Barron's would publish a book with so many logical inconsistencies, grammar issues and incorrect answer keys. It's really unfathomable that this book is so laughably put together. The joke is on me as I spent money on it. As one reviewer said, it would be more valuable to read Aristotle than to rely on this book. The sheer number of errors and idiotic statements is absurd. I would request my money back, not from Barnes and Nobles, which is where I bought it, but from Barrons, if I only thought I would be refunded. Do not buy. One caveat: I do not have a particular book to suggest in this book's stead. The Barron's book is the only one I purchased. Also, I'm pretty sure that this is the only review I have ever posted. That should speak volumes about my dissatisfaction with this study aid.

I'm studying for the LAST and this preparation guide has been great! It comes with 2 full practice exams, countless strategies, and an abundance of extra questions for each section of the exam. Well worth the cost.

In preparing for the LAST and the ATS-W, I bought this book and the Kaplan book. There is a marked difference. The Kaplan book really just lays out the objectives of the tests and offers practice tests with explained answers. The Barron's book gives actual information. There is a section in the book for every section on each test with actual information. This way, you could make flashcards and actually learn the things you don't know. If you were certified alternate route (like me) and didn't get a lot of formal, college-level information about child development and education, this is a much more useful tool. The Kaplan book will help you figure out your weak points, but does not offer a useful way to learn the things that you don't already know.

If I don't pass the tests, I'll eat my words, but this book makes me feel like I'm actually studying for THESE tests, not just preparing to take a test.

Very helpful for this test and also provides useful test tips for taking any test.

Do not buy this book! The sample questions are much, much harder than those on the real test. Some of the multiple choice questions do not even have the correct answer as one of the choices. Buy the Kaplan book instead.