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Increase your chances of scoring higher on the Praxis II Elementary Education test Contrary to popular belief, the Praxis II Elementary Education test isn't a measure of academic performance, which is why many test-takers who achieve perfect grades in college don't always pass it. Studying such a broad range of topics and enduring such a long testing processing can be challenging, so what's the best way to prepare for it? Turn to Praxis II Elementary Education For Dummies with Online Practice! It offers easy-to-follow subject reviews, test-taking strategies and advice for multiple choice and essay questions, sample practice questions, two full-length practice tests with detailed answers and explanations, and more. If you're one of the more than 600,000 aspiring teachers who take this test each year, this hands-on, friendly test prep guide gets you up to speed on everything you need to know to pass the Praxis II Elementary Education text with flying colors. This helpful guide covers Reading and Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education. It leaves no stone unturned by offering tips on registering for the exam, as well as a detailed overview of the test and how it's administered. * Practice with hundreds of authentic Praxis II questions * Hone the skills needed to ace the exam and start your career as a licensed teacher * Boost your confidence and do your best on test day * Get one year of online access to five Praxis II exams to sharpen your test-taking skills If you're a future educator gearing up to take the Praxis II Elementary Education test, this is your ultimate guide to one of the most important tests you'll ever take.
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Praxis® Elementary Education For Dummies® with Online Practice
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016935257
ISBN 978-1-119-18786-8 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-18788-2 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-18787-5 (ebk)
Table of Contents
Cover
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting the Ball Rolling
Chapter 1: The Praxis Elementary Education: CIA Test (5017)
Analyzing the Format of the Test
How the Test Is Scored
Getting a Very Early Taste of 5017
Reading and Language Arts practice questions
Answers to practice Reading and Language Arts questions
Mathematics practice questions
Answers to Mathematics practice questions
Science practice questions
Answers to Science practice questions
Social Studies practice questions
Answers to Social Studies practice questions
Art, Music, and Physical Education practice questions
Answers to Art, Music, and Physical Education practice questions
Analyzing Your Practice Question Results
Chapter 2: The Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge Test (5018)
Analyzing the Format of the Test
How the Test Is Scored
Getting Started on Taking the Test
Reading and Language Arts practice questions
Answers to practice Reading and Language Arts questions
Mathematics practice questions
Answers to Mathematics practice questions
Science practice questions
Answers to Science practice questions
Social Studies practice questions
Answers to Social Studies practice questions
Analyzing Your Practice Question Results
Chapter 3: Getting Ready for Test Day
Registering for the Test
Organizing Study Time Wisely
Doing Some Fine-Tuning
Preparing the Night Before the Test
Using Test Time Wisely
Getting Extra Advice If You Have Taken the Test
Looking into Test Accommodations
Part 2: Subject Area Content Knowledge
Chapter 4: Reading and Language Arts Subject Content
Reading into the English Language
The ABC’s of Writing
Analyzing Literature and Informational Texts
Speaking and Listening Styles
Chapter 5: Mathematics Content Knowledge
Numbers and Operations Content
Knowing Algebra Content Down to the Letter
Sizing Up Geometry and Measurement Principles
Data, Statistics, and Probability
Chapter 6: Concepts of Science
Life Science Principles
Earth and Space Science
Physical Science Facts
Science Today
Chapter 7: Studying Social Studies Content Facts
A Big-Picture View of Social Studies
Geography
Approaches to Teaching History
Government and Economics
Anthropology and Sociology
Chapter 8: Art, Music, and Physical Education Content
Seeing the Light of Art
Marching to the Beat of Music
Getting in Shape on Physical Education Principles
Part 3: The Principles of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Chapter 9: A General Overview of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Forming a Curriculum
Grasping the Principles of Instruction
Conducting Proper Assessments
Having Subject Area Content Knowledge
Chapter 10: Reading and Language Arts Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Creating a Reading and Language Arts Curriculum
Giving Reading and Language Arts Instruction
Conducting Reading and Language Arts Assessment
Answering Reading and Language Arts Practice Questions
Chapter 11: Mathematics Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Calculating a Mathematics Curriculum
Providing Mathematics Instruction
Performing Mathematics Assessments
Chapter 12: Science Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Establishing a Science Curriculum
Giving Science Instruction
Doing Science Assessments
Chapter 13: Social Studies Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
The Themes of Social Studies Standards
Presenting Social Studies Instruction
Social Studies Performance Assessment
Chapter 14: Art, Music, and Physical Education Curricula, Instruction, and Assessment
Building Art, Music, and Physical Education Curricula
Supplying Instruction on Art, Music, and Physical Education
Engaging in Art, Music, and Physical Education Assessments
Part 4: Praxis Elementary Education Practice Tests
Chapter 15: Practice Test: Praxis Elementary Education - 5017
Answer Sheet
Section 1: Reading and Language Arts
Section 2: Mathematics
Section 3: Science
Section 4: Social Studies
Section 5: Art, Music, and Physical Education
Chapter 16: Answers and Explanations for 5017 Practice Test
Answers for Section 1: Reading and Language Arts
Answers for Section 2: Mathematics
Answers for Section 3: Science
Answers for Section 4: Social Studies
Answers for Section 5: Art, Music, and Physical Education
Answer Key
Chapter 17: Practice Test: Praxis Elementary Education - 5018
Answer Sheet
Section 1: Reading and Language Arts
Section 2: Mathematics
Section 3: Social Studies
Section 4: Science
Chapter 18: Answers and Explanations for 5018 Practice Test
Answers for Section 1: Reading and Language Arts
Answers for Section 2: Mathematics
Answers for Section 3: Social Studies
Answers for Section 4: Science
Answer Key
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten Common Misconceptions Concerning Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Myth #1: Teachers are supposed to know everything
Myth #2: All curriculum is mandated, so teachers don’t really need to be subject experts
Myth #3: If it isn’t part of the mandated and accepted standards, don’t teach it
Myth #4: Students who can’t keep up have to be left behind
Myths #5 and #6: Direct instruction is best; cooperative learning means losing control
Myth #7: Differentiated instruction is only for students with IEPs or language barriers
Myth #8: All instruction should be geared toward standardized or state assessment
Myth #9: Teaching to the test results in better test scores and smarter students
Myth #10: The main purpose of a classroom assessment is for grading purposes
And One to Grow On: Test scores indicate the effectiveness of teachers
Chapter 20: Ten Major Areas of Confusion in Math
Thinking 1 Is Prime and 2 Is Composite
Viewing Surface Area as Three-Dimensional
Misusing the Distributive Property
Confusing GCF with LCM
Solving for Something Other than a Variable
Assuming a Middle Number Is a Median
Misunderstanding Operations with Fractions
Mixing Up Perimeter and Area
Lacking Perspective on Place Value
Misconceiving the “MDAS” in “PEMDAS”
About the Authors
Cheat Sheet
Advertisement Page
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
Cover
Table of Contents
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You probably already know that if you hope to become a teacher, you’ll have to take and pass an entry exam. The ones you’ll most likely take are the Praxis exams. Many colleges and universities require that students who want to complete an undergraduate degree in education take a Praxis Core exam that tests their knowledge of reading, writing, and math. After that, many aspiring teachers have to take another Praxis exam to obtain licensure. “Wait, what? More than one test?” Yes, we’re afraid so. It might be a repeat of the Core exam or it might be a subject test—or depending on your goals, more than one subject test.
The Praxis Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (5017) is indeed a subject test. As the name suggests, this particular test covers a pretty broad span of what you need to know regarding elementary education. Also reviewed in this book is the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (5018) exam. It restricts its coverage to the content of the main four subject areas that an elementary teacher should have mastered: Reading and Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science.
The goal of this book is to refresh your existing knowledge or develop new understanding on what you need to know in preparation for the Praxis exams. We don’t cover every topic that is tested in detail; instead, we offer an overview of those topics. The overview allows you to review a topic and say to yourself either, “Yep, got it! I can move onto the next topic” or “I don’t get it. I’d better focus on math a little more.” While you may be required to successfully pass the Praxis Elementary Education test in order to get a teaching license in your state, don’t panic! You have your hands on the right book to help you ace this exam.
Praxis Elementary Education For Dummies breaks down the exam’s main objectives into understandable sections. This book is organized into subsections so that you can quickly navigate through subject areas. For example, if you’re struggling with math, you can find all those topics grouped together. If science makes you want to pull your hair out, you can get a comprehensive overview in Chapter 6. In addition, this book offers helpful tips and strategies that you can practice so you don’t fall for the booby traps others seem to. They say practice makes perfect. This book provides two practice tests and an additional two practice tests can be found online. You may want to practice before you read any of the chapters to discover your strengths and areas that could use improvement. Once you have mastered the material, you can practice again to put your skills to the “test.”
In writing this book, we’ve made some assumptions about you. The biggest assumption we’ve made applies to all readers: You have decided to become a teacher, which is one of the most rewarding professions known to man. Then, we assume you fall into one of the following categories:
You are a first time test-taker:
You want to take and pass the test on your first try.
You are a retester:
You’ve taken the test before but didn’t get the score you needed or wanted. You can still successfully reach the passing score goal. You’re actually in a better situation than the first-time test-taker because you possess a detailed report that outlines your strengths and weaknesses. That way you can truly attack the sections that give you the most difficulty.
You are a traditional teacher candidate:
You’re currently working on or have recently completed an undergraduate or graduate education degree. You need to pass this test to get licensed.
You are an alternative route teacher candidate:
You already possess a four-year degree and you need to pass this test as one of your first steps toward certification.
If you’re in one (or more!) of these categories, good for you. We have written this book to fit your specific needs.
Icons are the drawings in the margins of this book, and we use several icons to call out special kinds of information.
Examples are sample test questions that appear at the ends of sections and that highlight particular ideas that you should be familiar with. We provide an answer and explanation immediately after the question.
The Remember icon points out something you should keep in mind while you’re taking the exam.
A Tip is a suggestion that usually points out a test-taking strategy or a trick for remembering information for the test.
The Warning icon flags traps and tricks that the creators of the Praxis often employ to trip you up when it comes to choosing the correct answer. Pay special heed to these paragraphs.
In addition to the material in the print or e-book you’re reading right now, this product also comes with some access-anywhere goodies:
Cheat Sheet: (
http://www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/praxiselementaryeducation
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When you’re down to the last few days before the test, not only do you have to remember everything you’ve studied for the test, but you have to remember what to take with you to the testing site. Check out the online Cheat Sheet for a handy list of what to take with you. You’ll also find some general tips for succeeding on the Praxis. Review this a week or so before you’re scheduled to take the test so you can make sure you’re as prepared as you can be.
Online practice and study aids:
In addition to the two complete practice exams contained in this book, your book purchase also comes with a free one-year subscription to two additional practice tests that appear online for you to access whenever and from wherever you want. With all of these practice questions at your disposal, you can take entire timed exams or just practice with a handful of questions at a time.
To gain access to the online practice, all you have to do is register. Just follow these simple steps:
Find your PIN access code.
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Praxis Elementary Education For Dummies
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You don’t need to read this book from front to back. Instead, use it as a reference. Skip around to the sections that you find most useful. If you can’t decide, begin with Chapters 1 and 2. They present overviews of the Praxis 5017 and 5018 exams. If you know that math (Chapter 5) is your Achilles heel or that language arts questions (Chapter 4) make your eyes cross, go straight to the corresponding chapter. We also give you an index at the back of the book to help you find specific information. Or, if you like, start by taking one of the tests in Part IV to target the material you need to brush up on.
Part 1
IN THIS PART …
Get the details about who takes the Praxis 5017 and 5018, what’s on the tests, and how your score is calculated.
Figure out how to schedule your study time in advance of test day, figure out what to expect on test day, and get some pointers if you’re retaking the test.
Try out some practice questions to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Develop a study plan to make your weaknesses your strengths.
Chapter 1
IN THIS CHAPTER
Finding out what’s on the Praxis
Seeing how the Praxis is scored
Taking some practice questions
Reviewing the results of your practice
For decades, teacher candidates have been taking assessments in order to meet certification requirements. You may have taken a Praxis Core exam (or some earlier version) to get into a teaching program at a college or university. Once you completed it, perhaps you thought that was the last you would see of Praxis.
Not so fast! If you want to become a teacher, you are likely to encounter more Praxis exams on your road to certification. Many states use the Praxis Core and/or one or more Praxis subject exams as certification tests to show that you’ve mastered the skills needed to be a highly competent teacher. Praxis Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (5017) (or Praxis Elementary Education: CIA) is one of these subject exams. Teaching licenses often are directly tied to passing this exam and perhaps other subject tests as well. This chapter gives you an overview of what you need to know about this exam.
According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) this exam is designed for prospective teachers in the elementary grades. It covers the breadth of material a new teacher needs to know while assessing content knowledge, pedagogical principles, and processes. To be successful on this exam, candidates must show mastery of curriculum planning, instructional planning, and assessment planning in the areas of reading and language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education. Luckily, you have this book to help you make the Praxis Elementary Education: CIA exam a milestone rather than a roadblock.
Also included in this book is the preparation for the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (5018). This exam differs from the 5017 designation in that candidates must show mastery of content in four areas: reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. This knowledge is exhibited through questions assessing conceptual understanding, procedural awareness, interpretation, integration, and application.
The items presented on both exams will be aligned to the appropriate state and national standards for that subject area. Examinees should also note that the tests may contain some questions that will not count toward their score. Almost every state in the country uses some form of the Praxis. Contact your state department of education for specific licensure details.
For details on preparing for the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge, proceed to Chapter 2. Content review chapters for this test are 4, 5, 6, and 7. The practice test and explanations are Chapters 17 and 18.
The newly developed Praxis Elementary Education: CIA exam uses 120 questions to evaluate your curriculum development, instructional, and assessment abilities in five subject-area groups:
Reading and language arts
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
Art, music, and physical education
To date, all 120 questions are selected-response type questions. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the questions are easy!
According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the 120 questions of the Praxis Elementary Education: CIA exam are divided among five subject-area groups according to the proportions you see in Table 1-1.
TABLE 1-1 Breakdown of Praxis Elementary Education
Test Subject
Approximate Number of Questions
Approximate Percentage of the Exam
Reading and language arts
37
31%
Mathematics
31
26%
Science
20
16%
Social studies
17
14%
Art, music, and physical education
15
13%
In each of the five subject areas, questions are related to relevant national standards and test your knowledge of how to help students develop an understanding of particular areas of knowledge or how to help them acquire and use key skills.
The questions about each subject are focused on curriculum, instruction, or assessment.
Curriculum:
Curriculum questions require you to show that you understand developmentally appropriate curriculum planning. Specifically, you need to be ready to demonstrate that you can sequence lessons; plan strategies to enhance students’ understanding and, inevitably, correct their misunderstandings; and make connections to and from one subject and other subject areas, such as connecting reading and math concepts, or social studies and science.
Instruction:
Instruction questions require you to show that you understand how to design instruction to meet the culturally and academically diverse needs of your students. They also test your ability to select and use developmentally appropriate instructional methods, strategies, and resources that support learning in the major focus areas of each subject.
Assessment:
The assessment questions for every subject area require you to show that you know how to evaluate the effectiveness of your instruction and your students’ progress in each subject area. To answer these questions correctly, you need to be ready to show that you can design, use, and interpret a variety of formative and summative assessments. You must be able to recognize the misconceptions students may develop and devise ways to reteach in order to correct those misconceptions.
The topics addressed by questions in the reading and language arts section reflect the state and national standards for language arts. You’ll see questions about:
Reading foundational skills:
These questions test your understanding of how to help students develop concepts of print, phonological awareness, phonics and word-analysis skills, and fluency.
Reading literature and informational texts:
These questions test your understanding of how to help students comprehend literature and informational texts; ask and answer questions about texts; identify and organize main ideas and details; use text features; identify point of view; distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment; compare texts and different formats; select appropriate texts; and progress toward independent reading.
Writing:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students do research and develop their writing skills in a variety of genres.
Language:
These questions require you to show your knowledge of how to help students understand conventions of English, build their vocabularies, and interpret figurative language.
Speaking and listening:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop active listening skills, oral presentation speaking and listening skills, and skills in using multimedia in presentations.
The topics addressed in the math section also reflect state and national standards. You’ll see questions about:
Numbers and operations:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of and ability to use natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers; proportional relationships; and number theory.
Algebraic thinking:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of and ability to use expressions, equations, and formulas, as well as linear equations and inequalities.
Geometry and measurement:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of one-, two-, and three-dimensional figures; coordinate planes; and measurement.
Data, statistics, and probability:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of and ability to use measures of center, data collection and display, and probability.
In the science section of the exam, you’ll see questions about instructing students in the following topics:
Science concepts, inquiry, and processes:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of science and science disciplines; scientific inquiry; how to plan, conduct, and observe investigations; and how to choose the appropriate tools to gather data, organize and analyze information, communicate results, and come up with reasonable explanations.
Life science:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students learn about the characteristics, life cycles, and environments of organisms.
Earth and space science:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of the interrelationships among Earth and space systems; astronomy; Earth patterns, cycles, and change; geology; hydrology; meteorology; oceanography; and soil science.
Physical science:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of physical and chemical changes, temperature and heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, force, motion, energy, and matter.
Health:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their knowledge of healthy living, including growth, nutrition, safety, and well-being, as well their knowledge of communicable and common diseases and substance abuse.
In the social studies section of the exam, you’ll see questions about the following topics:
Information processing skills:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of how to locate, analyze, and synthesize social-studies information and how to select and use appropriate materials and equipment.
Geography:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students learn about relationships among human and physical systems, the environment, and society, as well as learn about states, regions, the United States, and the world.
History:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of the interrelationships between the past and the present, causes and effects of historical events, U.S. history, and classical societies.
Government, civics, and economics:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of basic economic concepts; governments’ roles in economics, democracy, and politics; and U.S. government.
Anthropology and sociology:
These questions test your knowledge of how to help students develop their understanding of how groups and individuals are affected by conditions and events; how people from different cultures interact with their physical environments and social environments; as well as communication, transportation, and technology.
This section of the exam tests your understanding of how to teach three very different subjects:
Art:
These questions test how well you develop students’ understanding of elements and principles of art; visual communication and production; and art history, criticism, and aesthetics.
Music:
These questions test your understanding of how to help students develop their understanding of elements of music, such as texture, harmony, melody, and rhythm; their knowledge of music notation and terminology; and their ability to compose music.
Physical education:
These questions test your ability to help students exercise and develop physical fitness, game and sports skills, and body management and locomotor skills, as well as develop their knowledge of safety, social discipline, and healthy lifestyles.
Praxis Elementary Education: CIA is composed entirely of selected-response questions, also known as multiple-choice questions. You don’t have to write any essays or even short answers. You’ve probably been answering multiple-choice questions since you were old enough to wield a No. 2 pencil on your first standardized test. So you may think you know all there is to know about them. But, Praxis puts new twists on a few of these old favorites in two ways: first, by changing the numbers of correct answers, and second, by varying the type of response you need to make. It’s not all just clicking the correct ovals.
A huge majority of the questions on the Praxis Elementary Education: CIA exam have a single correct answer. The remainder have more than one correct answer. Occasionally, questions with more than one correct answer specify how many answers you should pick, but far more often, this type of question doesn’t tell you how many of the choices are correct. The following sections take a closer look.
You can think of these as the basic, no-frills model of the multiple-choice question. They have one and only one correct answer. On the Praxis, the question typically includes an instruction to remind you that the question has only one correct answer, such as, “Answer the question by clicking the correct response.”
ETS suggests an effective approach for answering multiple-choice questions that have a single answer. Eliminate any answers you know are incorrect to narrow down the choices before picking a possible answer. Then, try out your preliminary answer by referring back to the question. For example, suppose a question shows a student-generated graph that is supposed to plot the student’s answers to several equations. Does it make sense to say that giving the student extra instruction about the horizontal and vertical axes of a graph would address the misunderstanding shown in the student’s work sample? If not, eliminate that option and decipher the remaining choices similarly until you find the one that fits.
This souped-up version of a multiple-choice question has two or more correct answers, instead of just one. A few of these will helpfully tell you the number of correct answers, often emphasized in capital or boldfaced letters. For example, you might find a question like this accompanying an example of a paragraph a student is supposed to peer edit: “Which TWO types of errors can a peer editor find in this paragraph?”
To get points for answering a question that tells you the number of correct answers, following the instructions is essential. Click the specified number of answers, whether it is two answers, three answers, or some other number.
Most of the time, however, the question does not tell you how many correct responses to choose. One of these may look like a no-frills multiple-choice question at first glance, but then you may notice the instruction, “Click on your choices.” How many choices? Well, that’s up to you. Maybe the question only has one correct answer. Maybe it has two or three. It’s possible that every single option is correct.
When a question tells you to “Click on your choices” but does not tell you how many choices are correct, you need to examine each answer option individually and decide whether or not it is correct.
The vast majority of items on the official Praxis practice test and the actual test itself are the multiple-choice format you’re probably most familiar with. You read the question and click on the oval next to the correct answer choice (or choices). However, you may also encounter items that ask you to indicate your choice in some other fashion. Sometimes, the difference may be subtle; you may be asked to click the boxes, rather than the ovals, beside all the correct answers, or you may choose your answer from a drop-down menu of choices. Other times, the task will look quite different from what you see in a standard multiple-choice question. You may be asked to:
Choose an answer by clicking on a part of a graphic.
For example, a question might instruct you to click on a part of a map to indicate where you would direct your students’ attention during a lesson on interpreting the scale of a map.
Select a sentence from a passage.
For example, a question may ask you to click on the sentence from a student’s opinion paragraph that indicates whether or not the student has supported his opinion with evidence.
Drag answer choices into the correct spots in a table or list.
For example, you might be asked to drag several examples of student writing into a table to show which example indicates that a student needs practice in a particular reading skill.
In the practice tests both in this book and online, you’ll find many examples of various multiple-choice questions with varying numbers of answers. Taking all of our practice tests will give you a consistent feel of what you will see on the actual test so that you’ll have a chance to refine your own personal strategy for nailing the answers every time.
Praxis Elementary Education: CIA is divided into five sections, each focused on a specific subject area (or on a group of subjects) that you’re likely to teach: reading and language arts; mathematics; science; social studies; and art, music, and physical education. When you receive your score report, you will see a breakdown of raw points for each section and a total score. The total score is calculated from your raw points and adjusted to a scale that ranges from 100 to 200 points.
Your total score on the exam is based on the number of raw points you earn in each section. The available numbers of raw points are very similar to the percentages of the exam represented by each subject area:
Reading and language arts:
31 raw points available
Math:
26 raw points available
Science:
16 raw points available
Social studies:
14 raw points available
Art, music, and physical education:
12 raw points available
Your raw score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. ETS points out in its preparation materials that your test may contain some questions that do not count toward your score. “Which questions?” you ask. Well, if they told you that, you probably wouldn’t bother answering them, would you? Nope, and that’s why they don’t tell you. You need to try and answer every single question on your exam.
You don’t lose any points for answering a question incorrectly. If you were to answer every single question incorrectly, your raw score would be 0, which is exactly what it would be if you didn’t answer any questions at all. That’s why you have nothing to lose by guessing if you don’t know the answer to a question.
The number that may interest you the most when you get your score report is your final score, which ETS simply calls “your score.” Your score determines whether or not you pass the test. No wonder it gets so much attention!
Your score will be a number from 100 to 200. It is calculated by taking your raw points—which are based on the number of questions you answer correctly—and comparing them to the number of questions on the test. This conversion of your raw points to your total score also adapts to the level of rigor of that particular testing edition.
To achieve a total score that is considered passing by most states, you must answer at least 60 percent of the questions correctly. This gives you a benchmark to measure yourself against as you go through the practice tests in this book or online.
If you fail the Praxis the first time you take it (or if you’ve already failed it), you can look at your scores for each content category to see where you did well and where you struggled. Use those scores to help you target what to study most before you take the exam again.
Remember, though, that each state that requires passing the exam has its own minimum score. What constitutes a passing score in one state may not be a passing score in another state. Contact your state or local department of education for the minimum passing score.
In a moment, this chapter will lead you to some practice questions that will give you a basic idea of what to expect on the Praxis Elementary Education: CIA test. This is an ideal time for you to begin studying actual test material.
Because the practice questions that are coming right up will prepare you for the practice questions later in the book, what you are really about to do is practice for practice. You can use these first sets of practice results to help you determine what you need to focus on in the rest of your preparation. You might realize that you have a firm grasp on math instruction but know very little about science curriculum or perhaps that you need to focus on learning social studies content knowledge. However, no matter what you realize from looking at your practice question results, you should thoroughly study all areas to achieve the best possible real test score.
Although the big test you are preparing for is timed, we do not recommend timing yourself when you try the practice questions in this chapter. You should first learn to do something well before you learn to do it fast.
Because time will not be a factor for these questions, you don’t need to worry about timing techniques. Pace yourself and do your best to answer every question. Keep in mind that leaving exam questions blank does not benefit you. On the test you are preparing for, there is no penalty for guessing and getting a wrong answer, aside from not getting the points a right answer would have gotten you.
We also encourage you not to check your answers as you go through these practice questions. Knowing for sure that you missed several questions in a row can be discouraging and tempt you to give up too easily. Perhaps, knowing that you are on a roll at this stage can make you worry about jinxing your winning streak. Plus, when you look up one answer, you can easily see the other ones. That makes the practice less of a practice.
Okay, here are the questions. Good luck!
These practice questions are similar to the reading and language arts questions that you’ll encounter on the Praxis Elementary Education: CIA test.
1.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
A teacher observes that a student is having difficulty reading a list of words that includes “chow,” “shot,” “whip,” and “then.” The teacher can best address this student’s needs by adding instruction in which of these phonetic elements?
(A) diphthongs
(B) vowel blends
(C) consonant blends
(D) consonant digraphs
2.Answer by choosing all the correct responses.
A student writes the following and reads aloud, “It was very cold and dark in the cave, but I could see a lot of bats.”
It wz vr kld dk n cv bt I kd c lt v btz
Which skills is this student demonstrating the ability to perform?
Select all that apply.
(A) Use spaces between words.
(B) Partially include medial vowels.
(C) Partially spell consonant blends.
(D) Use correct directionality of print.
3.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
Third-grade students are reading informational text that describes the migration patterns of gray whales. Which is the best graphic organizer for students to complete in order to help them understand the sequence of the whales’ yearly travels?
(A) a T-chart
(B) a K-W-L chart
(C) a content map
(D) a Venn diagram
Questions 4 and 5 refer to the following passage.
During a discussion after reading one of Aesop’s fables to first-graders, a teacher asks students the following questions:
Why didn’t the lion think the mouse would ever help him?
Can mice and lions really talk?
4.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
Which comprehension task does answering Question 1 require students to do?
(A) identify key details
(B) sequence specific events
(C) understand the central lesson
(D) describe character motivations
5.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
Discussion of students’ answers to Question 2 is likely to help the teacher introduce students to which type of figurative language?
(A) personification
(B) onomatopoeia
(C) metaphor
(D) simile
6.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
A teacher thinks aloud, “I wonder what this word, caterwauling, could possibly mean? I see before that word it says Gemma was very loud and in the next sentence it says the high pitch of her voice was annoying. Maybe caterwauling means ‘shrill yelling.’” Which technique for determining word meaning is the teacher modeling?
(A) word sort
(B) context clues
(C) structural analysis
(D) reference materials
7.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
A teacher has students work in pairs to brainstorm possible topics for an upcoming paper. Which stage of the writing process are the students working on?
(A) prewriting
(B) drafting
(C) revising
(D) publishing
8.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
A teacher and student look at several examples of the student’s writing collected from the beginning of the school term. They discuss areas in which the student’s writing has improved and target areas for further improvement during the rest of the term. Which method is the teacher using to assess the student?
(A) observation
(B) retelling rubric
(C) running record
(D) portfolio review
9.Answer by choosing all the correct responses.
A teacher assigns fourth-grade students to prepare and present a class presentation about an endangered species. Which of the following speaking and listening skills should the teacher include on the rubric used to grade the presentations?
Select all that apply.
(A) use appropriate descriptive details
(B) take turns speaking and listening
(C) speak clearly at an understandable pace
(D) listen actively and paraphrase key points
10.Answer the question by choosing the correct response.
A group of fourth-graders meet to discuss a chapter of a book they have been reading. One student leads the group and calls on the other group members, one at a time, to give their opinion about the main character’s actions. This structured method of interaction helps group members develop skills in
(A) paraphrasing each other’s speech.
(B) asking questions to get information.
(C) reviewing and summarizing key ideas.
(D) following rules for taking turns speaking.
Use this answer key to score the practice reading and language arts questions in this chapter.
D. consonant digraphs.
This question requires an understanding of the roles of phonics in learning reading fundamentals.
Consonant digraphs
are pairs of consonants that together make a combined sound different from the sound of each letter read separately. Choice (A) is incorrect because
diphthongs
are pairs of vowels that together make a combined sound different from the sound of each letter read separately. Choice (B) is incorrect because not all the example words include vowel blends. Choice (C) is incorrect because
consonant blends
are groups of consonants that appear together but are pronounced more or less individually.
A. Use spaces between words, C. Partially spell consonant blends, and D. Use correct directionality of print.
This question requires an understanding of the roles of print awareness, phonics, and word recognition in learning reading fundamentals. Spaces between words and directionality of print (writing from left to right) are print concepts this student is demonstrating. The student’s writing also demonstrates mastery of consonant blends, which are groups of consonants that appear together but are pronounced more or less individually. Choice (B) is incorrect because the student is not using vowels between consonants.
C. a content map.
This question requires an understanding of ways to promote comprehension of a text. A content map is a visual representation of the major events or ideas in a text. Choice (A) is incorrect because a T-chart is more useful for helping students compare and contrast information or ideas. Choice (B) is incorrect because a K-W-L chart is more useful for helping students set a purpose for reading and what they’ve learned. Choice (D) is incorrect because a Venn diagram also helps students compare and contrast information or ideas.
D. describe character motivations.
This question requires an understanding of ways to promote comprehension of a text. Understanding characters is an important skill for comprehending literature. Choice (A) is incorrect because although the question may seem like a detail, it is actually more closely related to understanding the characters. Choice (B) is incorrect because the teacher’s question does not ask students about the events of the fable. Choice (C) is incorrect because although the question may contribute to an understanding of the fable’s central lesson, it is more immediately useful in helping students understand the characters.
A. personification.
This question requires an understanding of ways to promote comprehension of figurative language.
Personification
is figurative language that imparts human characteristics, such as speaking, to nonhuman objects or animals. Choice (B) is incorrect because
onomatopoeia
is figurative language that involves using words that sound similar to their meanings. Choices (C) and (D) are incorrect because
similes
and
metaphors
are figurative language used to make comparisons.
B. context clues.
This question requires an understanding of basic components of vocabulary and strategies to determine the meaning of new words.
Context clues
are information from the surrounding words or other material that help students figure out the meaning of a word. Choice (A) is incorrect because a
word sort
is a method of categorizing known or unknown words. Choice (C) is incorrect because
structural analysis
involves looking at prefixes, suffixes, and word bases to determine a word’s meaning. Choice (D) is incorrect because the teacher is not modeling using
reference materials,
such as a dictionary.
A. prewriting.
This question requires an understanding of how to help students produce clear and coherent writing using the steps of the writing process. The students are discussing topics before beginning to write, which indicates that they are in the prewriting stage. Choice (B) is incorrect because the draft step involves writing the paper, a step beyond planning. Choice (C) is incorrect because the revision phase involves making changes to a complete or partial draft. Choice (D) is also incorrect because the publishing phase is the final step when students share their finished writing.
D. portfolio review.
This question requires an understanding of how to assess students’ writing progress. The teacher and student are reviewing a portfolio, Choice (D), of the student’s writing, collected over time. Choice (A) is incorrect because the teacher is not observing the student during the process of writing. Choice (B) is incorrect because retelling is used to evaluate students’ listening skills or comprehension. Choice (C) is incorrect because a running record is used to tally students’ skills or mistakes as they read or speak aloud.
A. use appropriate descriptive details, and C. speak clearly at an understandable pace.
This question requires an understanding of the skills necessary for speaking, listening, and presenting. Students should include appropriate descriptive details, Choice (A), and speak at an appropriate rate, Choice (C), in their presentations. Choice (B) is incorrect because although students do need to listen while others give their presentations, turn-taking is not a presentation skill that should be graded. Choice (D) is also incorrect because although students do need to listen while others give their presentations, they do not need to paraphrase others’ presentations.
D. following rules for taking turns speaking.
This question requires an understanding of the skills necessary for speaking, listening, and presenting. This group’s structured discussions scaffold students’ ability to take turns speaking and listening, Choice (D). Choice (A) is incorrect because the students were not described as paraphrasing or retelling using their own words from either the book or each other’s comments. Choice (B) is incorrect because neither the leader nor the other group members are described as asking any questions. Choice (C) is incorrect because group members are giving their opinions rather than summarizing key ideas.
Use this answer key to score the practice mathematics questions in this chapter.
D. writing one of the factors as the sum of 10 and a number and using the distributive property to multiply by the other factor.
Either factor can be written as the sum of 10 and another number. Multiplying this form by the other factor and using the distributive property involve multiplying the factor by 10, which simply involves putting a zero after the factor and multiplying the factor by the other number in the derived sum. That other number is a single-digit number, which is easier to multiply by than a two-digit number. The sum of the two resulting products is the correct answer to the student’s problem.
Choices (A) and (B) would not result in the correct product, though Choice (B) would be a good method for getting a broad estimate. Choice (C) would be much more tedious and time-consuming than Choice (D).
B. area.
Each tile represents a square unit. Arranging the tiles with a certain number in each row for a number of rows demonstrates that the number of tiles in each row times the number of rows equals the total number of tiles, which is the number of square units in the area of the arrangement. Choice (A) is incorrect because the arrangement represents two dimensions and volume is three-dimensional, Choice (C) is incorrect because the number of tiles in the arrangement is not the same as the distance around it, and Choice (D) is incorrect because squaring is multiplying a number by itself.
A. making common denominators the denominators of sums until sums are simplified.
Fred made the mistake of adding denominators instead of making the common denominator the denominator of the sum, until sum simplification, in each problem. Choice (B) is incorrect because Fred showed that he could simplify fractions. Choice (C) is incorrect because Fred correctly added numerators. Choice (D) is incorrect because adding fractions does not involve adding denominators.
C. single-digit multiplication tables.
Introductory long division involves multiplying single-digit numbers, and students need to know all of the two single-digit products to correctly engage in the long division process, even at the initial level. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are not involved in the long division process.
A. reflection instead of dilation.
Reflection
involves a figure’s transformation to a position in which it forms the reverse image of its original position in relation to a line. The line does not have to be illustrated.
Dilation
involves a figure’s transformation to a similar figure of a different size. Alex demonstrated reflection, while the other three students demonstrated dilation.
A. the distributive property.
Correct application of the distributive property gives the correct values in both cases. Both equations show that the student understands part of the distributive property, but they show that he thinks the outside number is supposed to be multiplied by only the first inside number and that the second inside number is supposed to be added instead of the product of it and the outside number. Choice (B) is incorrect because although the mere multiplication of quantities involves factors, it is not the process of factoring. Choice (C) is incorrect because exponents are not used at all in the equations. Choice (D) is incorrect because neither units nor rates are presented by the equations.
C. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 and D. 12 – 3.
Choice (C) shows an incorrect understanding of area because the area of the figure formed by the tiles is 9, not 12. It is 3 by 3, not 3 by 4. Choice (D) is incorrect, although its value is the area of the figure. That is because 12 is not relevant to the calculation of the area of the figure. Choice (A) is a true representation of the area of the figure, in terms of both value and principle, so Choice (A) is not a correct answer to the question. Choice (B) is another correct representation of the basis for the area of the figure because the figure is 9 tiles that are 1 square unit each.
C. multiplication.