Sciences: Content Knowledge Study Guide (Praxis Study Guides) [Paperback]

Educational Testing Service (Author)

Book Description

Series: Praxis Study Guides | Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Complete with a targeted review of all the material on the selected Praxis exam in addition to a full-length practice test, these test preparation guides are written by the makers of the real tests. Thorough explanations of the answers are provided and helpful test-taking strategies are found throughout the guide. The three categories of assessments covered correspond to the three milestones in teacher development-academic skills assessment, subject assessment, and classroom performance assessment. Reflecting the rigorous and carefully validated nature of the exams, these guides provide beginning teachers the information needed to succeed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the world's premier educational testing organization and the only publisher of GRE and TOEFL test preparation materials containing authentic test questions from start to finish.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Educational Testing Service; Study Guide edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886852161
• ISBN-13: 978-0886852160
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, let me be your Praxis II Chemistry guide..., March 21, 2009

By 

M. Chuang (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sciences: Content Knowledge Study Guide (Praxis Study Guides) (Paperback)

I bought this book because I was really scared about the Praxis II Chemistry test (0245) and thought that this book from the test makers will help alleviate my anxiety. I was wrong. It didn't help me at all. It was not worth the money and I would really like a refund. :-(

Since I only took the Praxis II Chemistry, I can't really help with the other test but I would like to help you with Chemistry 0245 so that you wouldn't have to waste money on this book too!

The main pro for the book is that it provides information about the test that you would not otherwise know. But if you want to buy this book for that reason alone, save your money. I will tell you.

*** It gives you the "Answer Sheet" that you will see on the test. Nothing out of the ordinary, you must provide name, candidate id (that is on your admission ticket which you can bring with you), birthday, social security, and test form codes which you will get from your proctor. There is also a certification statement that you need to write, sign and date. It reads, "I hereby agree to the condition set forth in the Registration Bulletin and certify that I am the person whose name and address appear on this answer sheet." That is it.

*** It gives you the "Periodic Table" that you will see on the exam. It is a standard periodic table with Hydrogen over Lithium if that is a quirk for anybody. :-D The only thing to note is that the the names of the elements are NOT provided on the exam only the symbol.

*** It gives you the same "Table of Information" provided on the exam. I understand the urge to know what is provided because I had the same urge. I provide it for you now. The information provided is the electron, proton, and neutron rest mass, magnitude of the electron charge, Bohr radius, Avogadro's number, Universal gas constant (in atm and joules), Boltzmann constant, Planck constant, speed of light, Vacuum permittivity and permeability, Coulomb constant, universal gravitational constant, acceleration due to gravity, 1 atmosphere pressure, Faraday constant, 1 atomic mass unit, 1 electron volt, Heat of fusion, vaporization and mean specific heat for H2O, and Volume of 1 mole of ideal gas at 0 degree C, 1 atmosphere (which is 22.4 liters). NO FORMULAS are provided, but from my experience, it seems only the simple, basic formulas such as ideal gas law is needed.

*** Lastly, it provides 75 sample questions for the exam. Now, I personally found these questions to be easier than the questions on the actual exam. When I took the exam, simple questions such as which of the following formula represent a ketone was not on the exam but is a "sample question" in the book. My advise is to go to any AP Chemistry, your textbook, or SAT Chemistry book and use those questions. AVOID questions that involve lengthy calculations. My exam did not contain a single one (it makes sense because you can NOT use a calculator). Practice balancing equations and understand pH and pKa (my personal advice to you, take it or leave it). Conceptual things are more likely to be asked.

Now, of the 19 chapters in the book, only chapter 4, 11 and 12 relate to chemistry.

Chapter 4 is an outline very similar to the .pdf file provided for free on the ets website. (http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0245.pdf) It is an outline of the topics that could be covered on the test. However, the book does elaborate on it (a little). I did not find it very helpful, because it is very broad. Look at a chapter outline of any general chemistry textbook and you will see the same outline provided here.

Chapter 11 is the sample test and 12 is the solutions.

Chapter 8 sort of relates to the test because it attempts to help you learn to take multiple choice test with suggestions such as, there is no penalty for guessing and it is OK to write in your test booklet. The same suggestion in any prep guide.

Chapter 19 is an useless chapter. It provides "last minute tips" to the test takers such as "be well rested." :-/

And that is it.

This is the information that I would have liked to know about the test without having to buy the book. But it is too late for me, so I hoped I have helped you. Good Luck.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good practice, January 15, 2007

By 

C. Little (VT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sciences: Content Knowledge Study Guide (Praxis Study Guides) (Paperback)

Biology: I found the practice biology test to be very helpful for taking the 0231 test. The one in the book was harder. My mouse button must have slipped as I meant to give it 4 stars instead of 5. The section on Study Topics was overwhelming, and suggests you should know ALLLL of the topics at great depth. The real test was nothing of the sort. What I did to study was to get the Cliffs Quick Review called Biology and just read it. The topics are exactly the same, and those explain the material adequately and in a little more depth than the test asks you to know it.


General Science: My other gripe is that the general science practice test was not helpful for preparing me for 0435. It was only half the length and the questions were harder on the real test. The study topics were generally accurate, but I was completely unprepared for the vast barrage of weather-related questions the real test asked me.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biology Praxis II Prep, May 3, 2007

By 

Career Changer "Science Lover" (MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sciences: Content Knowledge Study Guide (Praxis Study Guides) (Paperback)

This book was an excellent review for the Biology Praxis II. I am a career changer. I am in the process of changing from a career as a Scientist to a Biology Teacher. I need something to direct my preparation efforts for the Praxis II. I read over the topics and then took the practice exam just before taking the actual exam and I'm so glad I did. There were questions exactly like those on the exam. I was able to review topics from areas that aren't my expertise, plant biology, ecology, etc.

Great buy for Biology Praxis II Prep.