FTCE Madness

So you want to study for the FTCE.  But where to begin?  There are lots of good options out there for FTCE study guides.  Here are some things that you should consider with a FTCE practice test program:

• Class, Book or Web: One of the first major decisions involves the actual format of the FTCE review program.  Many schools offer class based review programs.  Most are actually free.  Definitely take advantage of these programs if your schedule permits.  You’d be crazy not to.  The only problem with class based reviews is that they are usually short-lived, and cannot dramatically improve scores on their own.  They are good reviews, but you still need to do the work elsewhere when it comes to studying, especially if you’re not 100% confident in your ability to pass the test.  The classic choice for studying is books, and they are certainly worthwhile.  After all, they are portable, convenient, and you don’t even need power or web access to use them.  The downside to books is that they are tedious to go through, and they don’t simulate the test environment very well.  Web tools are gaining in popularity, and many people consider these applications to be the very best at preparing students.  While they aren’t as personal as classes, and they don’t have classic appeal like books, the web programs are updated frequently, and they do a good job of simulating the actual computer versions of the FTCE.
• Web Considerations: If you read the previous bullet point, you’re probably thinking that web tools are a good place to start.  So what do you look for?  What are the features for FTCE review that are most important?  First, make sure the site looks reputable.  If it sounds like a scam, it just might be.  Reputable sites will have clear terms, secure checkout, and guarantees.  The best programs offer money-back guarantees that you’ll pass.  Next, look for an actual Learning Mangement System.  Some programs, like TeachRite, offer these LMS systems that track your progress and allow you to pickup where you left off. 
• Study Timing: So how much time do you need to study?  This depends on how confident you are with the various subjects.  If you go to the official FTCE website, you’ll see some areas for consideration.  Also, the web is littered with some free sample questions that at least allow you to identify your level of preparedness for the FTCE.  Many of the FTCE Practice Test systems have different subscription lengths depending on how long you want to study for. 

To close, there are several excellent solutions for studying for the FTCE.  Shop around and you just might find the perfect solution for your needs.

A lot of people have questions about which FTCE test is right for them.  Most people use the term FTCE interchangebly with the FTCE General Knowledge exam, or “GK” for short.  In fact, this is by far and away the most popular of the FTCE exams because it’s a requirement for new Florida teachers to prove their grasp of basic knowledge in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.  Below is a summary straight from the official FTCE test site.

Everyone studies in unique manners depending on the way in which we learn best. Luckily, at this day in age, resources and materials to study and prepare are at our fingertips. Bookstores, libraries, and education centers provide a vast array of books, materials, and other resources worth utilizing. Various companies provide study guides and practice exams at nominal fees. Although some falsely advertise lofty promises and unrealistic guarantees, there are some quality companies that are worth considering. Finally, of course, there are endless amounts of information available on the internet.

With so much material to be found and studied, how does one actually begin to study? While some techniques work for some, they may not be as effective for others. Preparing for the FTCE Test will no doubt require ample amounts of time studying, so the question boils down to how to study.

A few main tricks to studying include:

flash-cards:

Many attest to the helpfulness of flash-cards as a study-aid. They are a great way to take major concepts and boil them down to important key points to be written on paper. Flash-cards allow you to quiz yourself or be quizzed by others. The cards are small and portable, which makes studying more accessible. Instead of hauling around heaps of textbooks, FTCE test material can be reviewed by simply going through flash-cards during downtime. An important part of writing out flash-cards is keeping the amount of information written to a minimum. Too much writing proves to be ineffective and encourages memorization rather than learning. Even the process of writing flash-cards incorporates learning, as you will have read, written, and recited the material throughout the entire process.

highlighting text

It is not uncommon to come across a profound statement in a textbook or paper that sums up important information, and to underline or highlight it. By “land-marking” your reading material you are simultaneously reinforcing important concepts and keywords. This process challenges you to choose the most important and relevant facts provided. Keep in mind that often the most important information is found near bold and italicized key words, and other sorts of charts and graphs. Remember to not go high-lighter crazy, as when the entirety of the paper is covered in bright yellow, it becomes ineffective.

note-taking

It has been proven that a great way to learn any material is to both read it and write it. Note-taking takes highlighting to the next level, by identifying the key pieces of information and writing them down in the text’s words or your own. Information retention is vastly higher in comparison to simply reading. Despite having multiple study guides, books, and papers, key information can be easily combined and put into one single set of notes.

outlines

For people who are visual learners, outlines are a great way to visualize the content on various levels. Similar to note-taking, outlines involve the key information arranged in a way that indicates its importance and relationship with other subject areas. Flow charts, diagrams, and other visual representations are great in helping to understand difficult or intangible concepts.

practice test

Naturally, practice tests are the closest form of studying for the FTCE. By practicing with a mock test (or even a question or two!), you will become more comfortable and familiar with the structure of the questions. When reviewing material it is easy to believe you know the answers, but a practice test is the truest indicator of whether or not you know the material. Practice tests and questions can be found in various books and resources, as well as from study aide companies online. It is often worth the money to utilize these resources made from people who are familiar with the format of the FTCE test.

Studying, regardless of the method, will pay off in the end. Each of these study techniques provide great benefits, so go ahead and utilize the resources around you and create a studying routine that works for you!

If you are looking at the next step towards becoming a certified teacher in the state of Florida, you are probably familiar with the madness and stress that comes with the preparation for the FTCE exam. Without the help of study guides, practice tests, and general information, the certification exam can seem scary and overwhelming.

Becoming adequately prepared will provide the greatest chance for success. Use this website, and a combination of others for helpful advice, FTCE study tips, and prep information. After all, there is no shortage of helpful information.

For those unfamiliar with the FTCE (Florida Teacher’s Certification Examination), it is an examination conducted as a requirement for all those seeking teaching certification in the state of Florida. A passing grade is the key to moving forward in obtaining a teaching license. The vast content of the FTCE can appear very overwhelming, but can be broken into 3 different tests that make studying more manageable. The FTCE tests are: Professional Education, General Knowledge, and Subject Area Exams. How many of the tests to be taken depends from person to person. For this reason, this blog will focus primarily on the General Knowledge (GK) test.

The FTCE General Knowledge Test is broken down into the following parts:

• Essay (50 minutes)

In this section, exam graders will look for the following critical elements in your writing: purpose, statement of main idea, organization of ideas and details, providing of supporting material, use of transitions, command of language, avoidance of cliches and slang, variety of sentence patterns, consistent point of view, and conventions of standard American English.

Although the amount of desired elements appears overwhelming, with adequate preparation and practice essays, these should start to become second nature in your writing.

• English Language Skills (40 minutes)

This sections of the test will involve conceptual and organizational skills, word choice, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Exercises provided in an FTCE study guide are a great source of practice.

• Reading (40 minutes)

The reading segment will test your literal and inferential comprehension. Simply put, it tests your understanding of the words used in the questions, as well as your ability to draw a larger picture understanding of the text. Practicing can be done by reading books, newspapers, and various other forms of articles, and of course study aid materials.

• Mathematics (100 minutes)

Although it isn’t calculus, basic mathematics is always a bit of a challenge for most people. Make sure to be familiar with: number sense, concepts, and operations, measurement, geometry, spatial sense, algebraic thinking, data analysis, and probability. Before you completely panic, remember a reference sheet will be included!

Here is the information that will be provided:

• Area of a rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, and triangle
• Area and circumference of a circle
• Volume and surface area of a pyramid, prism, cone, cylinder, and sphere
• The Pythagorean Theorem
• Distance, midpoint, and slope formulas
• A simple interest formula
• Conversions between metric and standard units
• a decimal (3.14) and fractional (22/7) approximation of pi

With adequate studying and time dedicated to practicing, a passing grade is within reaching distance! The key to success is preparedness, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the many resources available.

Here are few online ones:

FTCE Program Overview

Florida Department of Education

TeachRite FTCE Study Guide