Preparing to take the Florida Teaching Certification Exam: Subject Area Exam (Kindergarten-6th Grade)? There are a lot of resources available on the internet and for purchase. An overwhelming amount of it is terrible, out-dated, and won't help you pass the test.
How do I know? I took it... and passed! Stop wasting your time trying to find study materials for the SAE K-6. Check out these free resources, study guides, and practice tests.
**Update: As of May 1, 2014, the test format has changed. This page has been updated to reflect the most current version of the FTCE SAE (K-6) Exam for prospective Elementary Educators. Feel free to use the comments section below as a message board to share your experience. Enjoy, and happy studying! --Nichole **
Everything you should know before you take the SAE K-6 Exam (Updated 11/4/2017)
Test Breakdown:
This is a computer-based test that you will have to take either at a Pearson testing center or your university. There are four sub-tests which require you to know both content and the content pedagogy behind teaching specific subject areas. Earlier versions of this exam required you to also answer questions about physical education, health, art, music and technology, but not anymore! The test has been redesigned to test you on more practical teaching methods and implementation, rather than seemingly random facts about art, history, science, etc.
In total, there are 220 multiple-choice questions, and you have 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam. If you are taking 3 or more subtests, then you have a 15 minute break in between each subtest.
65% must be answered correctly to pass (144 questions). In most cases, you can find out if you pass or fail immediately by requesting your unofficial pass/fail report. Otherwise it takes up to one month to get your results back via the web. Where do you go to Register? FTCE Homepage.
Costs:
First attempt, all four sub-tests: $200
Retakes:
$150 (single sub-test)
$200 (two sub-tests)
$220 (three or more sub-tests)
The Test: When I went into the test, I went in feeling confident I would pass. I had taken one full practice test and read a study guide. When I got started, everything seemed to be going great. The Reading and Language Arts section was pretty straight forward with only a few curveballs. I saw many questions about phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, cueing systems, and differentiating instruction (whole group, small group, independent). Know about the reading and writing process. Know about emergent reading, what age kids start writing in cursive, and the application of self-monitoring skills. Know how to spell "occasionally."
After the Reading and Language Arts portion of the test, my confidence began to dissolve: the Social Studies and History portion totally threw me for a loop. I had been told to expect to see a lot of questions on Florida History. I saw only one! I'm not sure how large of a pool of questions there are available for the test, so I wouldn't rule out Florida History as a part of my study plan if I were you, but what you need to know is this: study as much as you possibly can about the Declaration of Independence. Know a little bit about Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Oglethorpe, and John Adams. There is an article about the implications of dredging the Apalachicola River (make an inference). There is an economics question about the best way to compound interest. There are a few questions about the branches of American Government and the systems of checks and balances. There are questions about the Supreme Court. Expect a few questions about the St. Lawrence River and the first settlers. As far as Florida history goes, there was a multiple choice question about early explorers (DeSoto, Ponce DeLeon, etc.). Both the FTCE Study Guide and the CliffsNotes PDF link below will help you pass this section.
The Science and Technology portion of the test: You will need to know what a chordate is. You need to know about the circulatory system and flow of blood through a chordate. Know about the moon's phases, the Earth's axis, the order of the planets, plant growth, animal and plant cell structure. Know about atoms, know that electrons are negatively charged. Know about conductors, reflection and refraction, and the scientific process. Science is one of my favorite subjects, so this section seemed pretty basic for me. If you're not a science person, the FTCE Study Guide is a very helpful tool for this section. All of the topics in this guide were on the test.
The Mathematics portion of the test: My recommendation here would be to take as much time as possible when taking the math portion of the FTCE. You have plenty of time, and since all of the questions are multiple choice, you'd be a fool to not at least try substituting x or n with a number or attempting to work out the problem in multiple ways. For practice, I suggest you use the Elementary K-6 Online Content Review Module and the FTCE Study Guide. You will be able to use a reference sheet during the test so you do not need to memorize conversions, formulas for finding area, surface area, and volume, etc.
Tips:
- Take at least one full practice test 1-4 days before the exam. (I recommend the CliffNotes exam if you can find a copy at your university or public library, but I took the one by Rhonda Adkinson listed below.)
- Review the FTCE Study Guide (below)
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Eat a healthy breakfast before the test.
- Plan to do something that relaxes your mind afterward. I planned to go to the beach so if I failed or passed I would be able to go to an environment that I could enjoy.
Resources I used that were helpful (psst--the titles are hyperlinks!):
Test Information Guide for FTCE SAE K-6: This is directly from the FTCE Website. Scroll down to page 29 for a mini-practice test. Almost all of these questions were on the actual test.
FTCE Study Guide: I'm not sure who authored this, but I studied from it the night before I took the test and noticed many of the questions were similar, if not exactly the same on the test. It's from my alma mater and was given to my cohort at a workshop.
Elementary K-6 Online Content Review Module: Have fun exploring this cute little schoolhouse: it's very well-organized and the math, science, and history portions are especially helpful. (I actually only used this for the math portion of my study time, but after reviewing the sites I can assure you that the other sections are good!)
Resources I wish I had used:
FTCE Elementary Education K-6 Test Practice Questions: I found this while I was looking up the information for the resources I had used. If only I had seen this beforehand! All 10 questions are on the test.
REA Practice Test: While writing this blog, I came across this PDF file. I read through many of the test questions, which are pretty darn close (many are used verbatim) to what was on the test. This is a free version, so a bit of content is missing. Don't let that discourage you, though. I really recommend you take this practice test. I really recommend you take this practice test. I really recommend you take this practice test.
Resources that are ...meh.:
FTCE Elementary Education K-6 by Rhonda Atkinson, Nancy Ann Tattner, Betty Nielsen Green
The only full practice test I took came from this book. The one good thing about this practice test was that it was on CD, so I didn't have to grade myself. It does closely align with the FTCE's test format, which is a plus. The negatives: there are too many scenario-based questions that have little relevancy to the test. Reading, Science and Math sections are pretty good.
XAM Practice Study Guide: I researched XAM's study guide after taking the test. This link will take you to a practice test that had 5 of the same questions that I read on the actual test. Some of the questions are way too easy or arbitrary, but overall this looks like an okay option if you can't find anything else.
Resources that you shouldn't waste your time with:
The Best Teachers' Test Preparation for the FTCE : Elementary Education K-6 by Anita Price Davis.
Despite its terribly convincing title, this was the WORST guide that I have looked at. The chapters of this book are not organized like the test and appears to have been loosely based on information available on the FTCE website. The questions are not similar to questions that appeared on the test. Thankfully I checked this book out from the library and didn't spend a dime.
Okay! So now you have my take on it. I hope you do well!
Was any of this information helpful? Was I completely off? If you have any tips for others or comments about the test or this guide, feel free to share. I'd love to know how you felt about the test.
Thanks for stopping by. This post has been copied to my new site, We Teach Them STEM. Check it out here!
- Nichole Howard
Thank you for such a great post. I take this test tomorrow and I have poured over resources, wondering what would really be on the test. I am a bit apprehensive only because I know there are several versions of the test. You may have gotten version "A, B, C, etc." I will take into account all that you have said, study more tonight, and relax about it tomorrow morning. My test is at 2:00 p.m. I'll come back and post my experience! Thanks again.--Ginger
ReplyDeleteNichole, you are a life saver. Taking tests make most people nervous and anxious; with your guidelines, we can benefit and hopefully pass this test. I love the teaching profession, but it seems that as teachers we have to constantly prove ourselves to show that we are capable of doing what we love.
DeleteHi am about to take it for the third time on saturday! If any words of wisdom can come may way that would be fantastic!!!
DeleteHi Ginger,
ReplyDeleteI hope it helps you in some way! I have a couple of friends who took it and it seems like we either had the same test, or one other. I am interested to read about your experience. You'll do great!
Best wishes,
Nichole
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI am so nervous about this test. I'm scheduled to take it next Thursday. I am really hoping this information will help me pass. The biggest thing that scares me is that i have to take this test before I've taken some of my classes (social studies, music & PE) so I'm really freaking out. I am so happy to have found your site because I had no clue where to begin studying. I hope this information serves me well.
ReplyDeleteJessy,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're in a bind! I hope these resources and my experience can help you to be ready for the test. I can't stress enough about the importance of taking your time and approaching it with a clear mind. Remember that the test is designed so that you should supply the answer that the state sees fit--don't base your answers entirely on your own opinion!
Please feel free to let me know how it goes. Best of luck!
Nichole
To my physical education K through 12 Exam did not pass. got the email today I scored 199. do you know anyone who is challenged it for a point?? I think it's worth trying??
DeleteThank you
Sky23pe@gmail.com
All I have to say, is THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for all these great resources! I've been studying from one set of notes and I continue to see different things that I haven't seen or more detailed versions of what I have. I feel like the information and resources you provided have added a lot to my studying as well as solidified some of the things I already knew. You are wonderful for creating this for others. I'm taking the test this friday and I feel a lot better about it now. THANK YOU!!! :D
ReplyDeleteMolly! How did it go??
DeleteI am confused. I got a "not pass" score I was devastated. But next to it was my score 195 out of 200 so was I close to passing? I can't interpret the date and I'm thinking of doing a score verification session but I need help. Does anyone know what the 195 means? Was I close? Help and thank you.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Sohn
Help!
DeleteYes, Michelle you were very close. You were probably 3-4 questions away from passing.
DeleteThank you for responding..would you make an appointment to have your test evaluated in the hopes of being able to get the 3-4 questions correct? It's either that or try to study again and pay all that money. Does anyone have experience in going to "challenge" the questions. I just need advice. I believe I have two weeks to make an appointment.
DeleteAny help is appreciated!
Thank you,
Michelle Sohn
Wellington
Hi Michelle,
DeleteI think it would be worth a try to speak with someone about the test. I can't say that I know what that experience would entail, but if you go into it with an open mind and explain why you would like to review (maybe you were sick or anxious, etc). Let me know how it goes!
Michelle you will be lose your time. They will be set you in a computer and you will be check all the wrong question.
DeleteI am in the same situation 198/200. I have registered for the score verification session. Did you do it? Did you pass after they reviewed your justification?
DeleteI did score verification for my professional test, and I think that I lose my time. They never check with you any questions, but you can check how many wrong you have.
Deleteyes, I passed
DeleteI will do the SAE K-6
DeleteI just took the physical education K through 12 test. I got 199 out of 200. Did you do a score verification?? How did it go I'm thinking of challenging it for a point. What happened in your case all I need is one point. Worth trying or not thank you.sky23pe@gmail.com. please let me know having a hard time deciding
DeleteThanks for the information Nicole! I have been stressing over studying for the K-6 SAE for some time now and I really appreciate your tips!! I think it was really kind of you to reach out and help all those future teachers with the SAE K-6!
ReplyDeleteRoni, Tampa,FL
Roni,
DeleteI hope this post helped!
sorry,I meant to say Nichole! I should learn to spell check :)
ReplyDeleteDid anyone get to read my question regarding what to do about my score. 195 out of 200? Is that ok, good, horrible? I'm lost.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Michelle,
Wellington
Just took my test today and passed it. I know that I would not have passed it if it wasn't for your incredible blog post! Thank you so much for taking the time to help others! You are truly an amazing person and I am so happy that I was able to follow your advice, you really, really helped me pass!
ReplyDeleteI cannot thank you enough!
Best,
HB
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThanks! I'm so glad it helped you pass!
DeleteSounds like this is useful information. I'm taking the test March 16th. I've changed the date too many times to count. After reading your blog, I finally feel like I have something to focus on. It's so much material to cover, I was lost as to where to start. Now I feel more confident about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
JeniaMarie
The study guide she posted helped me the most! Many of the questions are on the actual test. Also, the clifnotes was great!
DeleteWas the K-6 Content Review helpful for the math portion..it seems to be all over the place...
DeleteToday is the day, JeniaMarie. How did it go? Was the review above helpful? I am taking it in a month and I am so nervous!
DeleteI PASSED!!! What a relief. There must be a couple different versions of this test that they are giving. I used all the study material Nicole suggested and hardly any of it was on the test. The subjects are so broad that they could ask you just about anything...I would suggest studying the material Nicole suggested. It's definitely better than nothing! Her material was good cause it gave me a focus. The math was not hard at all. Just know how you would go about solving a problem. You can't use your calculator so don't rely on it when you study. Take your time. You have plenty of time to answer all the questions and go back to review. After I finished each section I went back and did a quick review of my answers. I would love to be able to tell you what to focus on but, honestly it's really hard to say. I hope you do well Ronny!
DeleteCongratulations and thanks for the support! May I ask, what study material would you find helpful?
DeleteI would suggest looking at the material Nicole suggested. Like I said, there are different versions of the test so it's hard to know exactly what to study. The FTCE study guide she posted is a good start. Use the links in the guide to get more information. Also the Cliff Notes Study guide was a good one. If I had to choose I would go with those.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteHow long did you prepare for the test before you took it? I have been studying for about a week so far and don't feel like I'm anywhere near close enough! and freaking huge CONGRATS on passing!
DeleteHey I noticed that you recently passed the FTCE test,congrats! I was wondering if you could look over this study guide to see if the questions were similar
DeleteCongrats on passing!
DeleteI'm glad to read that this post is helpful! I was hired at a school so I haven't had time to blog... Hopefully soon!
ReplyDeleteHey, may I have your email? I tried emailing you at your aol account but it did not go through.
DeleteThomas, you can message me through Google+ :)
DeleteFirst, I want to say thank you Nichole so much for posting this blog post. It was really helpful to know which materials to use to study. I just took the exam yesterday and Passed! I figured I would share with everyone what I had found helpful. I did buy the full version of the cliffnotes study guide. I read through the whole thing and took the two practice exams twice. Those were pretty helpful, although I did not see those same questions on my exam but it definitely helps to use those exams to review the concepts and see which sections you are weak in. Also, I had read through the glossary section to review the vocab. I also read through the FTCE Study Guide which was pretty helpful. There were a few questions from that study guide that I saw on the exam. Also, I found the Content Module helpful but very drawn out to study from and I had already scheduled the exam so I didn't have too much time to read through it. What I did was I printed out the vocab from each section and read through those. I also took the Unit Assessment for each section and reviewed once that I got wrong. I didn't see any questions that were the same on the exam but it still gave lots of practice which never hurts. As far as the exam went, pretty much did not see the same questions on the exam except for maybe 5 of which I had studied from. But I was able to recognize certain things and concepts based on the study materials I used, so they are definitely worth studying from. There is probably such a huge bank of questions that you don't want to bank on seeing the same exact questions as you might see in your practice exams. Focus on understanding the vocab and concepts and you should be fine.
ReplyDeleteThe language arts and reading section was pretty straightforward except for a few tricky ones.
The History one was completely random and trivial, I did really well on practice tests for the history section from the cliffnotes, but the section on my exam was nothing like those questions. It didn't really ask big events in history, it asked very small detailed stuff. I would say maybe go through the Content Module for the History section to learn as much as possible but in the end you might just have to take quite a bit of educated guesses on those questions.
The Visual Arts/ Music/ PE section was actually pretty straightforward with a few tricky ones.
The Science section was pretty easy and straightforward, but I love science so that could be why it was easier for me. Definitely recommend the FTCE study guide for the science portion and the cliffnotes study guide.
The math section was also easy and straightforward, basically everything I had studied in the cliffnotes study guide and FTCE Study guide were on there. Not the actual same questions but the concepts. I also love math, so that could be why I found it easier, but they really aren't hard questions if you know the concepts, also you do get a reference sheet for it, so no memorizing equations.
My overall advice is don't stress so much about it, just study the most you can. Work through all the math problems, take your time on them and double check the answers make sense. The history is very trivial so no matter how much you study that section unless you majored and/or love history it is a bit of a shot in the dark, so don't stress too much for that section. If you know the other sections pretty well, then you should pass.
Also, schedule the exam when you know your mind works best. For me, I always think clearer and faster in the morning so I had scheduled mine for 8:00 AM. If you're an afternoon person then pick a time then. Also, try to eat a good healthy breakfast. I barely eat in the morning, but I made sure to have an apple and a bowl of cereal. I also made sure to have gum during the exam since it sort of tricks you into thinking your eating and helps to fight feeling hungry.
If anybody has any questions, feel free to respond to the post.
Hi
DeleteCan you be a little more specific about what I should focus on? What were the tricky things for you? Were the study guides helpful?
I am taking the exam this saturday and I am nervous about passing.
Thanks
Hey I noticed that you recently passed the FTCE test,congrats! I was wondering if you could look over this study guide to see if the questions were similar
DeleteCongrats! I'm so glad you passed! Thank you for sharing your experience, it will be helpful to others.
DeleteNichole, I PASSED, I PASSED!!!! I was already scheduled to take the exam when I happened upon your website. After reading your blog, I immediately rescheduled. The resources that you listed were excellent. I am sure that if I had not used your sources, then I would have failed.
ReplyDeleteI will pass your priceless blog onto others that are in the "Troops to Teachers" program in my area.
Take care and God Bless you,
Lashawn
Opps!! I forgot to thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU so much for posting! I graduated college three years ago, with a degree in Liberal Arts, so I'm going after my temp. license in Elem. Ed. I took the diagnostic test in the cliffsnotes book and started studying a week ago.
ReplyDeleteANY recommendations on how to study? I am just going through the book and taking notes on everything I dont know, which is seeming to be quite a lot.
How long did y'all prepare before testing? I had no idea the test was going to be this difficult. It seems that I just need to know...everything. haha
Any tips for a beginner? Thank you guys!
Oh my God I passed!!! It was all due to your blog! I used your study guide and other references and I passed. A lot of the questions were from the study guides. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful to God for allowing me to come across this website, because it was a huge factor in me passing the test! This is the first website that I came across that gave me information that I could use. I had been studying for months from several manuals that absolutely did not help. In fact, I was more confused. I used the information from this blog along with Quizlet and devised a study plan.
ReplyDelete1. The first thing I started with was Nicole's break down of the "must knows", which are the things that she listed that were on the test in each subject(I encountered several of the questions on my test!)
2. The Study Guide is AWESOME!!!!! I put all the terms from the study guide on Quizlet (online flashcards) and combined them with other terms by subject. Since I am an auditory learner I also read each term on a recording app that I downloaded to my phone, so when ever I am in the car I could listen to the terms.
3. I brushed up on my math using www.mathisfun.com. I reviewed the math skills from the study guide and simply went through each strand on www.mathisfun.com (number sense, algebra, geometry, data and measurement to review and practice the problems. I also used the Cliffnotes.
4. I studied a couple of hours everyday for a month. DO not procrastinate! Continue to review leading up to the test. The test is random, so you have to make sure that you have a knowledge base of each subject
Thank you for this website!
I hope this helps.
Thank you so much for the wealth of information you have posted here! I'm scheduled to take the exam in 2 weeks and have not taught in over 5 yrs. I have to re-take this exam for certification renewal...ugh! I was curious though...I clicked on the link for the Cliff Notes practice test but all I can get is the title page. How does one actually access the practice test?
ReplyDeleteLet me clarify...I downloaded the pdf reader but i don't see a link or icon to click the cliff notes test to download. I only see where to buy the full version. Help?????
DeleteNichole--this is SO helpful. I can't thank you enough- I am taking my exam next month!!!! I am trying to "follow" your blog. I am still new to blogging. How do I follow you??
ReplyDelete-Future Teacher, Traci
Hi there
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say tks so much for posting ur tips on this blog. I recently moved here from Ireland (was an elementary teacher at home too!) and sat the Ftce exam today for first time and passed!
I followed ur tips almost exactly except I bought the whole Cliff notes book which was great for practice tests and checking what u kno.
The most helpful and relevant resource of all, like you said, was the Ftce study guide.This was the most true to the test. I filled in the gaps which this didn't answer with the Xam Ftce study guide, which you can borrow from the library for free! This is very heavy going so I just used it as a rough guide.
I studied for exactly 4wks with the last week being intensive cramming with 4 hrs study a day-each to their own!
Good luck everyone and tks again!
Thank you so much for posting this! You have no idea how much it's helped me. I'm taking the test next week and I was panicking because I only have a limited time to study. Thanks again :)
ReplyDeleteDo you mind if I post this link in one of my blog posts about teaching and taking teaching exams?
Thank you so much! This blog was really helpful :) I take my test tomorrow and you helped me put my mind at ease.
ReplyDeleteHey! I took my exam yesterday and passed! Thanks again for all of your help. I don't even know you, but you have helped me so much. Literally, I don't think I would've passed if I hadn't have found this. God bless!
ReplyDeleteI took my exam on Wed (6/12) and somehow I passed! I used this website and some of the links. I bought the Cliff Notes eBook and borrowed the FTCE Xam study book from the library. None of the questions from any of the practice tests were on the exam, not even similar! I had the bus driver question as well! I think the study guide that is on the FTCE website with the practice questions doesn't reflect the reality of the test. The practice questions were easy, compared to the actual test questions. As an FYI...None of the questions had a choice "all of the above" or "none of the above".
ReplyDeleteJust glad it's over and won't have to do that again!!! Congrats to everyone else who posted that they passed, and good luck to those who still have to take it...just do your best and don't over-study.
I posting this so anyone fixing to take the test can be prepared. I used the Cliff Notes book and the online prep tests mentioned above in her resources used or resources wish i used. I took my test this past Saturday and was definitely shocked that not a single question was the same. some how i passed! I definitely felt the questions were random but if you use these study guides they will effectively teach you the concepts so you can pass. At least that worked for me. A few tips, make sure to explore the Early and emergent levels. there were several questions that gave you scenarios and asked to which it applied. i got the bus driver question also. I may have only had one Florida related question. I felt the math was the easiest. you dont get to use a calculator but they give you something to write on and they give you the equations. there are mostly mean median mode and range and then some area, volume, perimeter and a few least and greatest common factor. the questions on the test were much easier than the study guide's math section. make sure to give yourself time to do this as you need to work many of the questions out by hand. make sure you know how to do long division and multiply by hand!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Congrats!
DeleteAll I can say is THANK YOU! I was a high school Reading/English teacher for over 10 years and became a Reading Coach at an elementary school a few years back. District mandates required me to take get Elementary Ed certified with less than 3 days notice (or transfer back to high school). I stumbled across your site the night before my exam and was shocked at the amount of information I did not know would be on the test. I used the information you provided and took the Cliff Notes practice test (you know the one you really recommended to take) and passed with no issues. I probably would have been caught off guard with some of the questions had I not visited your site. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I got a job at a Elementary School but I had to pass the exam. I had only 2 weeks to study and I passed! The questions were really hard and random. The stuff on the study guide didn't really help. I went to school for Business and decided to teach for a while. I bought the Cliff Notes and FTCE Elementary Education K-6 by Rhonda Atkinson. I started with the FTCE but after awhile I started with the cliff Notes because it seems better especially after reading this forum. I'm just happy I PASS on my first try. Just read and read and read. For me the science and math was the easiest. Language was all difficult
ReplyDeleteI was hired on the spot for a 5th Grade teaching position and it is all contigent upon me passing the K6 Exam. I have been studying everyday since 6/27 for at least 3 hrs. I'm scheduled to take the exam Tues 7/9 @ 1045AM. I've been reading this blog and posts. I have note cards and I feel confident about every area except Math which is not my strong area. I'm confident and nervous at the same time. Is that possible? I read that you can miss up to 78 questions and still pass. You only have to get 65% of the test correct. I am confident, but I'm still full of self doubt. Any advice?? Also, congrats to everyone who passed! I pray that I can join that elite group on Tuesday...
ReplyDeleteHi Troy,
DeleteYou will do great. You will be given scratch paper for the math and can usually use the process of elimination to "plug in" the answer. I remember a few questions on area, perimeter, and volume. There were also questions where you need to use long division and multiplication. If math is not your strong point, I would take one or two practice tests in math. Just keep your cool an remember that the test only covers math that you learned while you were in elementary school. Also, if you took a "how to teach elementary math" course as a part f your college program, you should be fine. :)
I'd like to know how it goes for you so I could update this post!
Best!
Thank you so much for taking the time to help others!! I took the exam this morning and PASSED!! I stumbled upon this site last week, and it has been a god send!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteNichole, Nichole, Nichole...I have been following this blog for several weeks leading up to the K-6 SAE. I'm so RELIEVED to say I PASSED!!!
ReplyDeleteBasically none of the practice questions are actually on the exam- I didn't see even one similar question! Most of the questions were much harder, and took a much deeper level of comprehension of the subject matter to answer correctly. THANKS for all of your contributions!!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am taking this test July 23rd and this blog is pretty much all I am relying for as to any clue what the FTCE EE K-6 may be like. I am already certified to teach Social Science 6-12 but I want to change grade levels and try my luck with elementary. I am pretty strong in basic Math and Science and I didn't really bother with the Social Science/History part of the test because well it's in my area.
What I am really scared of is the Reading/Language Arts. I have two practice books (the CliffsNotes and the Rhonda Atkinson) and I have been using the website that Nichole recommended. Is there something in particular I need to look at for this section?? Something to really study in depth??? There is so much! I feel like I am loosing my mind. I took one Reading in Content Area class in college but again I majored in SSE, not EE.
Lastly, is the format of the test extremely in-depth with scenarios or is it mostly direct questions? I am not very good with scenario questions. I already took practice tests and I am doing much better on the CliffsNotes ones than the Rhonda Atkinson one.
Any feedback/advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Al
Hello Everybody!!! In a desperate attempt to pass this test, I searched and found this website. There was some great information and I really need it! I took quite a bit of time to finish college because I was going part time while I was working and feel that might have hindered me in passing this test (trying to recall info from so long ago). I have taken the test a few times and am between 190-198 on the score (which 200 is passing). Can anyone please reach out to me and offer ANY help to encourage me to find the strength to take this test again? It costs 220.00 each time I retake it and really dont have money to keep doing this, but I am at a standstill with my career until I pass. My email is heatherpurple77@gmail.com and ANY and ALL help would be awesome and greatly appreciated. I cant really narrow down to which section I am having the worst luck with....... I have studied and studied and STUDIED but when I sit down to take the test, its seems like theres not alot of the information I have studied. Any help would be great and I will definitely post my success when I do pass it!!!! (fingers crossed):) Thank you to all in advance!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgain, my email is heatherpurple77@gmail.com
Hi Heather,
DeleteI took this test today (1st attempt) and I passed. The test is ridiculously hard and I have serious issues with how the FLDOE administers it. I am considering writing them or my FL legislators for that matter. It was almost 5 hours long and you're not allowed to eat in between, nothing.
My best advice to you is focus on your strengths. Remember, you need 65% cumulative to pass. You can easily fail 1 of the 5 sections and still pass if you do well on the others. The Music/Arts sections never made much sense to me so I didn't really put effort into studying it. Like I said in my post, I am already certified in Social Studies and I am very good with Math so these were my strong suits. I put two weeks (1 week into Science, 1 week into LAR each). For Science, it's a lot of random trivia; especially about geology and astronomy. If you like to read Wikipedia for fun (I do), then that's a good way to learn this stuff. For LAR, I suggest just memorize everything from the Cliff's Notes guide section.
So anyway, I had two sections I knew I would do well on, two more sections I could do OK on, and one section not to do so well on.
Good luck!
Al
Hi I took the SAE for English 6-12. I am disabled and had no rhythm with my writer during the essay portion. is 27 points (173) worth challenging? or am I too far from 200?
ReplyDeleteHello Nicole, Do you have any tips or help on the FTCE Professional Education test? I took it three times already and I am so close 197...but too close and not passing.
ReplyDeleteAny other can help too,
Thanks
Milos, I am prepping for mine too and I am extremely nervous because I heard they changed it completely. Any advice??
DeleteThanks!
The best way is to take a course at your local College or any good institution could help you. Also, learn the Key Vocabulary at Quizlet.com
DeleteIf you know good resources, please let me know too. Thanks
I spoke to my advisor and she said it has drastically changed. She couldn't even tell me what to study because she heard so many things for different students. So, I am going to take the SAE first, since I just passed the GK so the math is still fresh in my brain, and the reading too because I am in reading classes this summer. I have 4 classes left until I graduate and I need to take and pass both Prof Ed and Sub Area by January 31 so I can apply for student teaching. BUT I am extremely nervous about the Prof Ed because even my advisor can't help me study!
DeleteI just took the test and passed (FTCE K-6) on my first try. I have been viewing this website for a month looking at everyone's post and it helped a great deal. I'm putting together some things I saw on the test that will help everyone. I'll post it later. Thanks again everyone.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! I am taking mine next month and I am so nervous!!! Has anyone taken the PED yet? I heard they changed it and they have NO resources to help!!! I am freaking out. :(
DeleteLet us know when you post what you saw about the test. We need it!
DeleteHi! I take my exam Wednesday, 8/7/13...super nervous!! I already took and passed exceptional education but this test is super broad and I havent seen most of the material in years..I started studying about a week ago but I am trying to cram most of this in the next three days. Wish me luck!! And good luck to those of you who are yet to take it as well!!
ReplyDeletethank you for this incredible resource... I was browsing the web to find some help on how the test would look and with your precise and detailed information my confidence in passing just got that much better!!! I will definitely let you know how it goes.... thanks again for your help! #future.teacher.in.the.making!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad, I didn't pass. I went with the Cliff Notes book and the study guides that you can print from their website. I feel like nothing was on that test that I studied, It went horrible. Now I just found out I need to wait 31 days to even see what my score was is this even normal? I took the online test in a testing facility. It just said I didn't pass, but no score. I have no clue what to study. I really ask from the bottom of my heart, whoever can help or guide me I will appreciate it. I went through most of the study guides on this blog. The format of the questions were so difficult to understand! Sorry just venting, I'm officially depressed lol .
ReplyDeleteD
Hi! So sorry you didn't pass :( I didn't ass either. But once my score report came, it said I had a 196 (200 needed to pass) so I was so close! When you get your score report, PRINT IT OUT! It tells you what score you made AND it gives you a detailed report showing what competencies you definitely need to work on. Good luck!
DeleteOh wow yes I just got mine today 195 so i didn't feel as bad anymore. I am going to do exactly just that, study my weak areas. Thanks good luck to you also!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've been studying the Cliffs Notes guide for the last 2 weeks, 80% on the first practice test, so I was feeling pretty good. Today I picked up the Atkinson guide at the library and took the CD-Rom test without even cracking the book and, while I passed, it was a COMPLETELY different test, with what seemed like foreign information to me. I guessed on a lot of the questions. Really, A LOT were best guesses. I was expecting a much worse score.
ReplyDeleteI notice that the Atkinson book has a 2012 copyright, it's practically new, whereas the Cliffs is 2009. I have to wonder if the newer book is based on a newer test?
My game plan is to study both books, along with the online review module and hope the combination works for me. I'm a career changer, and my formal schooling was a LONG time ago. At $200 bucks I can't afford to fail the test.
Also, I keep seeing the scale score of 200 mentioned, along with the 65% correct to pass. Does 65% correct correspond to a scale score of 200?
I just took the test few weeks ago. In my experience the question format were nothing like the Cliff's book. I was getting beyond good scores in my practice exams. Got to the test and I felt like nothing i really studied was on there. If it was they completely turn it around and ask another part to the question. It's not really a definition based test like the book. The book which i didn't study as much from REA FTCE Elementary Education, was the one that had the questions most close and formatted like the test. Hope this helps. Good Luck.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePassed!!! I'm glad that's over! I was pretty nervous after the first few questions. I'll have to agree with some of the previous comments in that the Cliff's Notes study guide is helpful, but the test I took is much closer to the most recent REA test guide. There were a lot of scenario questions regarding teaching strategies, especially regarding fluency and comprehension.
ReplyDeleteI really wish I'd studied cells and energy more. There were a lot of energy questions in the Science section.
If I were to do it all over again, I would still use the Cliff's Notes; however, I would begin with the Online Review Module, then move onto the REA book. Oh, and read up on Oglethorpe and the Georgia colony. Interesting guy, wish I hadn't changed the answer. Good luck!!!
Congratulation!!!! Hi Katie, I've been studying the Cliffs Notes guide, I am started the Online Review. But I like to know how was the music and math part on the test. I like to know what test book is much closer.
DeleteThank in advance
Let's see... as for the music, I don't remember many (if any) questions on the music history you see in the study guides (baroque etc). There were more questions on art elements (line and form etc) and health questions (which vitamins are kids missing?). I really found a lot of the questions to be about teaching strategies. There were safety questions (using aerosols outside).
DeleteThe math was mostly basic algebra and geometry. I used the conversion chart twice I think. Know how to multiply improper fractions. There were some basic charts and graphs (plotting points), and a mean/median/mode question.
I found the newest REA study guide to be much closer to the actual test than the Cliffs Notes. The online module is by far the most thorough, if you can pass those tests you'll be fine.
Also, there were questions about the recorder (proper technique), appropriate songs (types) for elementary students and you should know who wrote the state song.
DeleteJust wanted to say thank you for this blog! I took your suggestions (already had
ReplyDeletecliff notes and XAM guides when I found this site) and the additions of your
specific information definitely helped! I passed on my first try this morning
and I can't tell you how excited I am--feeling closer to becoming an educator! :)
Suggestions to anyone taking this test in the future: know about James
Olgethorpe more than you think you need to know!
The bus question was on my test and this blog was the only reason I know the
correct answer!
A lot of questions about percent in the math. The study guide (from UCF I think?) listed on
the blog helped a ton with math!
Thank you again for everything, I appreciate everyone who contributed to the
blog! Best of luck to anyone taking the test soon! :)
Just want to take a minute to thank you for this post! I just took my test for the first time and PASSED! Everything you put on here was extremely helpful! Oh, & just to let you know, the FTCE study guide you have up that you used is something one of the professors, Dr. Wise, at UCF worked on. It is a compilation of frequently missed problems from the k-6 SAE exam. This is why it is so beneficial. I got it from him when I went to a workshop for the K-3 SAE and had been studying it. Then I saw it on here and figured I would share where it came from. (:
ReplyDeleteAgain, thank you SO much! I will recommend this blog to anyone who is about to take the exam!!
Hi Katelynn! I take the general knowledge exam on Wednesday and then I will be switching gears to study for the SAE K-6 exam...I was trying to look for the UCF study guide you were talking about...is that the same as the FTCE study guide? Thanks!
DeleteThis is the second time I've taken the test and failed...I am extremely discouraged. I don't know what to do...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you so much for posting this guide. I live in VA and a Criminal Justice major and I am getting married and moving to Florida and something is telling me to be a teacher and I am determined to pass this test. This will help a whole bunch!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am a CJ major as well and I am studying to take the test. I just decided that a career in education is right for me so I will see where it takes me I hope in a couple months I pass the test. Good Luck.. Or did you take your test as of yet?
DeleteHello guys, I am a CJ major too but I've always had a passion to teach so I am pursuing my passion and will be taking the test Mon morn. 04/20/2014. Blessings on your future endeavors! :-)
DeleteThank you for the information. It was really helpful. I especially liked the Cliff Note book and the K-6 Content Review Module. The Module has a lot of information and great questions. I took the test this pass Saturday and PASSED. Also the content areas you talk about in your blog I also seen on the exam.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to stop by and say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I PASSED!!! your blog helped so much especially the study guide a lot of those questions were on the version of the test i took!!!! I am passing this blog onto all the other i know is taking this test!
ReplyDeleteKrystal! What study guide ...i cant find it above? thank you! and congrats! just passed the GKT now on to the SAE!
Deletehttp://www.ju.edu/soe/Documents/FTCE%20SAE%20(K-6)%20Study%20Guide.pdf
ReplyDeleteI came across this website when I was searching for practice tests online. To those that have taken this test, would it be useful for me to study this?
absoutely! i used this guide as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am taking it in a week and I am super nervous!
Deleteso I am taking the exam december 27. I am very very nervous for it. I dont know what to study its a load of information and dont know where to start..... any help will do please. I took the GKE and passed it. is this exam similar???
ReplyDeleteThank you
The books that were suggested are right on target. I used the cliff notes and searched for info on the internet. The more you take practice tests, the better. It really helped. Good luck. Hope you do well.
DeleteIf somebody know how many version of this test they have? Reading all the comments is looks like is more than 2 versions? Thanks this blog is very helpful for me and had a lot information. Im taking the test tomorrow!
ReplyDeletesteve please please let us know you you did. good luck buddy and keep us updated.
DeleteI am happy to say... I took this yesterday and I PASSED!!!! Thank you sooo much for the info on this test. It was right on target!
ReplyDeleteI put off taking my test, because I am so nervous and wanted to study more. Are there anymore suggestions you could give in what I should study besides the things above? By the way, congrats!
DeleteI was really nervous as well, I mean really nervous. The more I read other individuals stories the more nervous I got. I just started taking the practice tests (any that I could find). The more I took them, the better I became. Just focus on the areas that might not be automatic for you and go over the areas that are easy. If I felt like my study material wasn't good enough, I "Googled" it!! Then I just read over the info from a diff point of view. To me this allowed me to see things in a different way and remember it better. For instance: I Googled our solar system and came up with a bunch of pictures of our planets. That helped me visualize the order. You can do this. Just study hard and believe in abilities. Good luck!
DeleteCongratulations Kris on Passing! I LOOK forward in saying the same. My exam date is Thurs Dec 5th. I have to admit I have been extremely obsessive with the study material. I did purchase Cliff notes prior to reading this blog in October. It was great that I see it is the most beneficial.
DeleteI have been also utilizing the module and those key points mentioned in this posting.
I took the exam in June and didnt prepare. With a lot more effort I'm predicting a much better result! Will keep you posted!......I will be taking practice exam after practice exam......the goal is to get as many questions correct! Onward
Samm, how did you do? I have scheduled mine for next Saturday and I am studying like crazy. Hope you do/did well. ~Heather
DeleteUnfortunately I didn't pass have to retake... but I am looking forward to the score report to see what competencies I can now focus more attention on. Onward!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI am sorry to hear that, but I like your positive outlook! I am taking mine 12/14 and I am so nervous! I will keep you posted.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you so much for this post! I am taking the General Knowledge portion in a few months, and this was so helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteI passed! This test is by no means a walk in the park.
ReplyDeleteI am going to take my test early tomorrow. I have studied hard. I'm in the reviewing stage...I'm nervous but is ready to get it out of the way and hopefully get a job by next month. Pray for me
ReplyDeletetaking my test on 01/04 really nervous since i am not a elem. ed. major but i am hoping studying the content from both the cliff notes and the REA will help. the lastest version of the REA book i have is 2010 so hopefully the core competencies are still closely matched. i will post how i do in case i can help others. any other helpful tips out there?
ReplyDeleteAHHHHHHH I just took the K-6 exam and happy to say I PASSED!!. I am so thankful for you and everyone here in this thread that has given me information on the test.
ReplyDeleteSo its my turn to give back!
First of all I am not a educational major, I am a criminal justice graduate.
My study material:
The online Module was my bread and butter for this.
After that I reviewed and FTCE guide which was very helpful for the science part
after that I took the cliff exam and the xam exams.
the cliff exam and the xam exams are not like the actual exam.
The actual exam consist more of a applying method opposed to a vocab test. By no means be freighted!
ITS OK!!!
The test itself is not an extremely difficult college exam or crazy statistical exam. Its a basic knowledge exam that test you on your knowledge regarding these subjects. RELAX!!!!
ok now english
--- this was straight forward! know about shared reading, choral reading, repeated reading, and how and when to use them. Know about porfolios, rubrics, types of assesments. Thats all i remember for english. this portion is straight up material nothing to tricky.
Social Science:
Unless your a freaking histotian or a Criminal Justice major this part is difficult, in the sense of its kinda precise in its questions. With that said know about the bill of rights, the federal reserve bank, I didnt get any florida question but dont rule that out. know who is susan anthony.
music, arts and Health.
- music know what tone, rythm, dynamics, pitch mean, art know about forms of paiting, eras,, and simple stuff,
health this was easy just study basic things for this one.
science-
I panicked for thi one because i suck in science. It actually wasnt hard and the study guides listed covers it all.
Math
Im a math guy so it was good for me. But its not all math, it has some questions on how to help kids in math. so try to look at methods on how to apply math to children. The other math was straight forward and the guides cover this.
BY NO MEANS DOES THIS MEAN THIS TEST WAS EASY! NOR DOES IT MEAN YOU WILL receive the same exact test I did. I just want to provide some inside info. I can say that I really studied for this exam. I studied 3 weeks and the last week about 4 hours a day, the rest one hour. Good luck to you all, God bless, and relax!!!
Ps. You either know or you dont, answers wont magically appear. Believe in your self and your half way there.
Congratulations!!!! I have my test next month and I was just wondering if this study guide is a good one to be using. http://ucf-ftce.wikispaces.com/file/view/FTCE+SAE+%28K-6%29+Study+Guide.pdf
ReplyDeleteI just passed my K-6 today. used the FTCE XAM and the Cliff notes. I think they prepared me how to take the test and some areas to focus on but probably only 1 question was the same. Here is what my test focused on:
ReplyDeleteReading: This was pretty simple an straight from course work-no curve balls. I did get the what grade cursive is taught. There was a few questions on the stages of writing-revision, editing, publishing. What to do to increase fluency & comprehension.
Music, Health, & Art: ACK! I had to read sheet music and tell if it was b major, b minor, g major, or g minor- What?!?! totally guessed. Know pitch, rhythm, & tempo. Know who Lorenzo De'Medici was and his contribution. What period did people have their portraits showing their profile. Questions on signs of drug abuse-hallucinogens & alcohol where on my test. Anorexia, Bulemia, and Sex Ed. (What is appropriate to teach elementary kids about sex abuse)
Social Studies-usually my strong subject but nothing like I studies for. Know who wrote the Florida state song. People and their contributions such as Susan B Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The branches of government & their powers. ie. Who approves cabinet members nominations? Why did they add the bill of rights? What was the reason behind why their was two political parties. I had a questions about westward expansion and the outcome of the 1973 Arab oil boycott. (yes, I did)
Science: At this point I was really questioning if I was going to pass. The density of a cell is located where? (ACK!!) Know about kinetic energy as matter of fact all types of energy but especially kinetic. One question on the circulatory system & one on absorption of minerals. I saw the word thigmotropism today- know it, I had no clue. Plant systems, scientific method & safety measures in the lab.
Math: My saving grace! Pretty straightforward. Know order of operations and that a negative exponent gives you a fraction. A couple conversion questions but don't forget to use the conversion chart they have as a reference. Mean, median, mode. Prime factors-I had forgotten how to do this but fortunately saw it the cliff notes (same w/ the negative exponents)
I think that's all- I hope this helps you study!!
i failed. ;( I study so much!
ReplyDeleteHey guys! UPDATE: took my test January 4th and I PASSED! :D so happy because i was really nervous about it. a few things that i found helped, for 1 i used the FTCE REA book and practice tests, the cd exam with that book really helps give a feel for the actual test, i also used the Cliff notes heavily since i only had about 10 days to study (i know def. not a lot of time to give oneself lol). both i felt were helpful. definitely look at the notes at the beginning of the page a lot of that was on the test or referred to. break down for me:
ReplyDeleteReading/writing: Used both books for this, know emergent reading, know the beginning stages of writing, verse yourself with the content of the chapters and less on the practice questions because test questions will be different. know the five competences of language and reading. there were a few tricky ones here but nothing too difficult.
Music/health/visual arts, know Lorenzo de medici, also know the difference with surrealism and impressionism. understand pitch, timbre, melody, know what "half steps" progression on a music sheet look like with all the notes on it. this section was also pretty straight forward, i skimmed this and still did well.
Social Science: know economics, supply demand, consumerism. different types of goods. know the bill of rights and the constitution, who primarily wrote those as well. only had 1 or 2 questions on florida so from that know who founded florida, who named florida, and who primarily inhabited florida 1st.
Science: know about all the energy, kinetic, potential, etc. know about matter and density and atoms, know the difference between, Fahrenheit and Celsius, understand the planets and pangea, also know what a chemical change is and physical change and the difference between the to. a few difficult questions here so i would advise at least a good read through of the cliff notes book.
Math: Math was not too bad, know the basic operations, and know the formulas for perimeter. they do provide a reference sheet but there is no calculator and not everything is on the reference sheet, know how to answer the pole and shadow equation. refresh yourself with the math, it is pretty straight forward, know conversions like grams-milligrams, exponents, greatest common factors etc. The math section of both books were extremely helpful to me.
Final Advice: Study hard, focus on weaknesses and then go over everything else, also rely mainly on content and less on practice test, i would say take at least two full practice test if possible but mainly know the competencies that are thoroughly gone over in the book, the information may be rephrased but it will be more consistent than expected exact questions which you will not see a lot of. also get a good nights rest and take time to go over every question. you have ALOT of time for the sections. i finished in about 2 hrs and 45 min. you get 4 hrs and 20min with NO break lol so use your time to go over the answers. Good luck to you all and i hope this was of some help. :D Thankyou for everyones responses because this site truly helped me :)
*look at notes at the beginning of THIS page lol where it says what to look for. this site is so useful!
ReplyDeleteI plan on taking the FTCE Biology in 3 weeks. Has anyone taken the FTCE Biology? The study guides used.
ReplyDeleteTaking the test in March... I graduated about 2 years ago with a Sport Management degree but I totally want to teach! I am starting to really focus and study, I just want to make sure I get THE BEST study guide, I can't fail! I am going to use this blog to help but I like to have a physical book or paper in front of me! What are the best ones?!
ReplyDeleteAre you going to take the FTCE Business Education? I cannot find any good resource for the FTCE Business Ed., but I have some links for out of State business education practice test. If you want the links leave your email I will forward them for you. Good Luck!
DeleteI took my K-6 SAE on Saturday and I passed!!! I studied for 3 weeks and this blog really helped. I used the Cliffnotes book, the study guides on the blog and 2 study guides that were passed around my classes. I also found a WONDERFUL website hosted by a teacher named Karen who posted her notes on her website.They are $9.99 but TOTALLY worth it. She is saving money to travel abroad and teach to children in Thailand so I had NO problem helping her out ((really she helped ME out)). You can find her notes at http://www.ftcenotes.com/. I wish everyone the best of luck!!!!! Thank you for posting to this site, it truly helped me!!! :)
ReplyDeleteTraci,
DeleteI paid the 9.99 for the ftcenotes.com and how am I able to access the notes once I've paid for them? Does she email them to you?
Yes, she will e-mail them to you! :)
DeleteTraci, thank you!! I am out of teaching for 20 yrs and am re-taking the test in a few weeks. There is a new version May 1, so I really want to pass it the 1st time. (keep in mind I passed it no problem many moons ago, so here's to hoping)
DeleteI ordered her notes , thanks for the tip!
Good luck, Sharon!!! :)
DeleteI just bombed this test! So I purchased FTCE Elementary Education K-6 by Rhonda Atkinson, Nancy Ann Tattner, Betty Nielsen Green, which is no help at all. I am severely distraught over this test. I knew nothing on this test! I feel that I will never pass this test......
ReplyDeleteJennifer, don't feel discouraged!!!! It's a LOT of information to study. Just take it day by day and study a little bit each day.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI didn't pass the FTCE k-6.. I took it today. SO bummed and I studied so much, At least I know what to expect when I retest.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Hi! I was wondering if someone could tell the order in which I am to take these exams?... Is it the GKT--->FTCE---->SAE?
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!!! I'd appreciate any help!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIt really depends on your schools requirements! My school required passing the GK before being admitted into the College of Education. My advice would be to do the GK, then the SAE and then the FTCE Professional! :) Good Luck!!!
DeleteHi!
DeleteI already have a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Human Services, so right now I am applying for a temporary certificate to teach. Would the tests still depend on school or no?
thank you!
Hi did anyone take the SAE English 6-12
ReplyDeleteHi Nichole!
ReplyDeleteI recently took the SAE Elementary Education and passed the first time! I have to say your blog helped me out tremendously. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I am so grateful!
Thank you for doing this blog! How long did you study for? There is one available for me to take on March 11th, but I am not sure if that will leave me enough study time or not. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi can anyone help me???? I need information on planning in elementary schools, any of you new teachers can help me
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteCan anyone give me any insight into the FTCE Professional Education Test???
ReplyDeleteThis test is pretty straight forward. It asks different questions about assessment strategies, effective communication with students, continuous improvement strategies, etc, etc. Here is the link to the study guide provided by the Department of Education. http://www.fl.nesinc.com/pdfs/professional%20education_5th_ed_doe082510.pdf This study guide also contains the different competencies you will be tested on. I also suggest you purchase the Cliff Notes FTCE Professional Education study book. I used it when I took it awhile back and it really helped.
DeleteHere is the link to the study guide again. Good luck!
http://www.fl.nesinc.com/pdfs/professional%20education_5th_ed_doe082510.pdf
I finally passed! (4th try...crazy right?) I am so happy and relieved!
ReplyDeleteMusic, math, and health will be removed from this test beginning May 1st. I won't say that it makes the test easier because they added more competencies in the other subject areas that you will be tested on. Just a heads up! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on passing. What other things did you use to study besides the study guide you posted?
DeleteAll I used were the 2 study guides, and I took 2 practice tests from the cliffnotes study guide book.
Delete@ Angel, I saw that. I failed my first attempt, and I am dreading taking it the second time around. This test is too expensive not to pass.
ReplyDeleteIt really is expensive, I had to pass this 4th time, I just didn't have anymore money to pay for it again, and I didn't want to ask my mother for anymore money.
DeleteI got my score back last night, and saw that I was 5 points away. I got 195 out of 200. Now i'm trying to see if I need to do the verification. I saw on the FTCE website that the verification is $75, and I have to drive from Tampa to Orlando in order to get it "verified". I'm thinking about taking that risk and paying $75, but if they do not change any of the answers, then I would waste my time, and that money could have gone towards retaking the test again.
DeleteI would not go to the verification, it's a huge waste of time. All they will show you is the questions you got wrong. They will not share the correct answer with you at all. And it is very possible that you might not see the answers you answered incorrectly on your next test. Just study your weak areas on your score report and study from there. What I did was look at each area under 70% and studied those areas again. The only reason you would really need to go to the score verification is to see if you want to challenge a question for a better score. I attended a verification session for one of the subtests for the GK exam and my time and money was wasted.
DeleteHi all, Thank you a million times for this blog you've kept up. I just got home from the FTCE SAE K-6 and Passed! I seriously didn't think so since the test, in my opinion , is ridiculously hard and off base for what elementary school teachers are doing nowadays.
ReplyDeleteI'm a 42 yr old stay at home mom who hasn't taught(K) for over 15 yrs. Suffice it to say, I was starting from scratch with the info.
Anyway, for those taking it before May 1st of 2014, this is what I used for the last 3 weeks of solid studying:
Cliffsnotes book,
the UCF packet from this link http://ucf-ftce.wikispaces.com/file/view/FTCE+SAE+%28K-6%29+Study+Guide.pdf ,
the samples of questions on the FDOE site, and a few bits from other questions I found here and there on the internet.
Your advice is awesome! I would say that memorizing the information to the best of your ability from the cliffs notes and understanding the Language Arts information will help you figure out a lot of the situational questions. But the Math/Science/Social Sciences are all just plain studying. Those were my weakest, so I really spent a lot of time on them.
The REA book is truly a waste of time.
The whole test I thought I was not going to pass so when the proctor asked if I wanted my unofficial report, i honestly said no, but he said yes you do!
Good Luck to all on this current format and especially on the upcoming one with the changes.
Sharon
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that Denise. But i really felt like I wasn't passing the whole time. I hope the new version after May 1 is a better , more applicable test. I studied about 4 weeks total. I really studied hard core the last 3 weeks. I'm talking about 4-6 hrs each day of taking little practice tests, reading sections. I like to write notes while I'm reading to kind of "retain" and have a quick review sheet the morning of the test. But I felt like the Cliffs Notes and the online UCF list (50 pages!) that I printed was the most helpful. Keep at it! It stinks that it's so expensive but so is college coursework. I with you the best!
DeleteI will thanks and what is online UCF list?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAngel, my test is next Friday, do you think I could send you an email and get some study material that will be useful? I have been using the cliff notes book and online practice test and questions to help me! Thanks
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Angel!
DeleteMay I take you up on your offer as well, and request copies of the study guides you used? I am scheduled to take the updated test on May 10th.
Hi, please email me so I can send you copies :)
DeleteHi Angel,
DeleteI emailed you... If you can please send me the study guides you used, I would appreciate it. I take my test in 2 weeks.
Thank you
Angel,
DeleteI just wanted to say thank you.. These are great study guides. Are any of the questions on the actual exam or just examples of the questions that will be on the exam? The material is so varied. I am finding that I am having the most difficulties with the Language arts portion and determining what assessment etc... to use in which situation. Thank you for all your help.
Thanks for the study guides, Angel!
DeleteQuestion... I need to take the GK test (no rush but have to get the ball rolling with these exams!)
ReplyDeleteWould you recommend sitting for the exam now and studying for just a few weeks, or wait until after May 1 and taking the new format test?? Not sure what to do...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI decided to do a score evaluation because I am 5 points away, and pay the $75. I hesitated because I didn't know whether to retake it or do the eval. I will just see what happens. If I have to retake SAE K-6 afterwards, I just have to suck it up and do it. I've wasted $75 on sillier things, so I guess I can't be too upset about it.
ReplyDeleteyes so close just get back in there.........Don't wait too long
DeleteDid you do evaluation and did it help? I was two points away
DeleteI just did my evaluation yesterday. I have to wait up to 30 days to receive my score. It was as others said, they sit you in front of the computer, you look over the answers you got wrong, and there is a comment box for each question. What ever questions you want to dispute, you would write why. If you feel your answer was correct, you have to explain why, and why the other 3 were wrong. If you feel that there can be more than one answer, you have to explain why.
DeleteYou don't receive 1 point for each question. When I looked on the form they gave me, my scale score said 195 (which is what is on my score report) but their sheet said I answered 136 right, and needed a score of 142 or 143 in order to equal the scale score of 200.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your Internship Angel.
DeleteThank you! :)
DeleteHi Angel Jackson
DeleteWanted to know if you can email me the the 2 study guides. I sent you an email also. Thanks alot
:}
ReplyDeleteI followed through your advice and also studied using the Cliff Notes K-6 test. I felt that it was a good foundational review to the actual questions on the test. The questions were very random but thankfully I was able to PASS!! Thank you for the helpful infomation that you provided. Now on to the GKT in 3 weeks! God Bless!
ReplyDeleteI used the cliff notes book and the study guide and the other things mentioned about and I felt like the test was in a different language. I was asked more history questions involving India and Asia more than the U.S. What I studied for almost two months was nothing like the test. Now I will wait 31 one days and retake it and most likely get a version that is even more different than the first. I was a sport management/marketing major for undergrad and I am doing a career change. I wish they would make the test correspond to the study material that is out there! Good luck to anyone taking it, and if you do not pass DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED! You are not the first to "not pass" and you won't be the last! Try try again! At least I know what to expect this time...I hope :)
ReplyDeleteHow much time do you think is needed to study for the test? I passed the FTCE practice exam, but I would like to take it before the new test is administered. Is it possible to pass after studying for 10 days?
ReplyDelete198 SAE you have to be kidding me God help me this is worse if I had not known lol......
ReplyDeleteWell, I went in the do my score evaluation in Orlando yesterday. I got 195 out of 200, so I am hoping for the best. I disputed as many as I could, so if they don't give me points for one question, maybe they will give me points for another, based on my responses. Now the dreaded wait...
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best and believing it will work out for you .My dilemma was the same as yours I didn't know whether to dispute or take again in 30 days.
DeleteNewbie,
ReplyDeleteI would try old GK now see what happens since retake is more if you miss it
Hello,
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any helpful information or study guides for the Florida Professional Test?
Hi, Please If anyone has study guides , PDF's and any other material for the FTCE General Knownledge [Reading Exam] can you share it please? My email is DaSilvaca2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteI have guides for the Florida Professional Test and Subject Area Tests.
Could you email me the Florida Professional Study guide? It's so hard to find anything for the updated version. jgodwin@mail.usf.edu
Deletecheck your email
DeleteGOHmath on You Tube by Chris Abraham good resource for GK AND SAE math
ReplyDeleteI have taken the k-6 4 times, however I gave up and decided to go for the pre-k through third grade and passed it right away!
ReplyDeleteThis past week my principal recommended me to take the k-6. As I looked into the FTCE site I noticed the test changes, and loved it. I never saw the point of being tested on something I will never teach (arts, music etc....) I read the competencies being tested for the new test and they have added a few for Science.
I will take your recommendations and continue to study and pass it! Thank you very much!