studying for the praxis I exam

For many of us the Praxis I exam can be a daunting task. Especially if it has been years since your high school experience and therefore years since you encountered a lot of the information tested on the exam. This was the problem I faced and it was overwhelming! Also, I never graduated from high school (I dropped out to “experience more of the world”) and I have a learning disability. Needless to say the Praxis exam proved to be a dreadfully scary event. Not only did I need to re-learn a ton of information but I also needed to learn a ton of new information (again, I dropped out of high school so I missed a lot of information) and I am horrible at taking standardized tests. So I started studying about a year before the test and really hunkered down about two weeks before the test. I know that sounds crazy, a year before the test! I REALLY WANTED TO PASS THIS EXAM ON MY FRIST TRY AND I DID! So here is what I did to pass the test and I hope it helps.

BOOKS:

· Cliff Notes puts out the best overall study book and it comes with three practice tests.

· Princeton Review has a book that has two practice tests that are really similar to the test itself but their topic study section is not nearly has good has Cliff Notes.

The ETS book is not really worth getting because it is super basic. However, I got all three and was happy I did because I was able to take a lot of practice tests. If you are only going to get one of the books get the Cliff Notes Praxis I study guide. I do advise getting all three, you might spend an extra $40-60 but it is better than spending the $120 again to re-take the test!

Studying Techniques

Here are three studying techniques I used and thought they worked really well. I was going to school full time and working full time so all of these techniques are ways of studying that do not take up hours and hours of your time in one sitting. Also, I am believer in the idea that there is only so much your brain can handle in one sitting so I do not advocate for hours upon hours of cramming in one sitting.

· Take one of the practice tests before you start studying so that you know where you are with the knowledge and so that you have a base line and know where to focus your studying. For me it was math that I struggled with the most, therefore when I started studying, a year before the exam, my focus was on math and I would study a few hours a week focusing on math. By studying the math for couple of hours a week (every so often a few hours in one day) I was keeping the subject fresh and familiar in my mind. I was able to absorb the math and I think this was the reason I passed this part of the exam. Also, a heads up, most of the math questions are word problems so practice interpretations of word questions.

· FLASH CARDS, FLASH CRADS, FLASH CARDS! By writing flash cards you are enabling yourself to study no matter where you are. You can put them in your back pocket and if you are just standing around somewhere you can pull them out and go through a few of them. I love flash cards.

· TAKE THE TIMED PRACTICED TESTS. This was one of the reasons I was happy that I had bought all three books, I had over 5 practice tests. Also, ETS, Princeton and Cliff Notes websites proved sample questions. Make sure you time yourself and set the conditions so that you are simulating the test. This really helped me out because I have not taken very many standardized tests and I because of my learning disability time really was an issue (ETS does offer special accommodations for people who have documented learning disabilities like 50% more time, a quit room and even a reader if needed).

Days Before The Test

STAY FOCUSED! I was pretty burnt-out on studying by the time I was a week out to taking the test. However, I felt confidante and ready to take the exam. The day before you should study a little but take it easy; you know what you know so relax, have a good dinner and sleep well.

Good Luck!

Please comment on your experience and proved some feedback so that others may learn from your success. I would also love to hear about what you did or are doing to get ready for the test!