CSETMathGuru: THE Site for Single Subject Math
Test Strategies for Passing the CSET
If there was but ONE strategy for the FR Qs that was demanded of me, this would be it: do NOT leave ANY Q blank!
In my assessment, the grading is not stringent at all, and effort, however, minuscule, is rewarded magnanimously. In the past, I've had several "new" candidates report that they got a 219, and I suspect they had left a couple FR questions unaddressed!
Eve if they felt totally at sea with the Qs, sustained contemplation may have led to ideas and concepts that build on one another to furnish a response, which, while incomplete, might not suggest rank ignorance! Partial credit is easily vouchsafed!!
Offhand, "studying more" is not the same as "studying right" [yes, yes, it's easy for me to pontificate thus, and, er, that is precisely why I, um, pontificate thus!]...
The point is that a gimlet-like focus needs to be directed at the CSET domains [shall we all agree to ostracize the blighter that struck upon this utterly pompous term?!] as outlined on the official CSET site as well as "fine-tuned" and expatiated upon here for Subtest I, here for Subtest II and here for Subtest III.
Next, it isn't a terrible idea to accoutre oneself with quality study resources. Numerous threads on this site have dwelt on this realm: while some swear by Schaum's Series, and others swear at Schaum's Series [oh, just an idiotic gag! seriously, the books are quite serviceable!], my own favourites - texts I've used myself quite lucratively or those I've browsed upon others' endorsements - are summarized here and here for Subtest I, here and here for Subtest II, and here for Subtest III.
Then, either one teaches oneself and has, both, the capacity and the disposition to do so, or one hires a professional tutor, perhaps, or, if time is not o.t.e. one might consider enrolling into an Intermediate Algebra, and then, Precalculus class at a local Community College, as the need may be...
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].
In my experience with countless candidates that've got a 200+ or 200-, fundamental stuff like Quadratic Functions and Equations, Systems of Equations, etc. have usually been mastered. It's the "hard-core" Precalculus concepts like Mathematical Induction, Linear Programming, Logarithmic Functions, Solving Equations with Matrices, Hyperbolas, etc. that cause one to trip up. It is the latter that ought to be cynosure of one's attentions...
Finally, subjugation to a severe, unsparing, even forbidding [what the devil?!] study regimen is much recommended [oh it's just the simulacrum of the monk that resides in me speaking...]. Of course, there shall be resolute opinions to the contrary; but one needs to realize that there is no room for frivolity and disport here! There is a notion - to which I readily vouchsafe my imperial imprimatur [?!]; everybody can relax now! - that each Subtest requires ~ 100 hours of diligent study, untrammeled by sundry diversions. Much merit resides there!
Do realize that most of the CSET Qs are calculated to befuddle, perplex and discombobulate. The capacity to make "conceptual leaps" is an enviable attribute to own.
"Oh, if *that* is what you seek, why in the blazes can you
Not say so in syllables of 2?!"
Alas, the very pedestrian recommendation remains: try problems and exercises from a variety of resources.
Anyway, chaps that didn't pass: don't lose it, yes? This is all infernally frustrating, to be sure, but agonizing self-recrimination is self-defeating. There are sure to be concepts / topics on the test that made the eyes glaze over: make a list, and take a vicious stab at those, for a start!
And don't tarry!
I've known chappies that've taken the test 8-9 times. Not a very savoury porspect, what? Imagine the time and money disspipated!
Well, I've always maintained that the CSET SS Math skills are NOT of the elementary or even intermediate calibre! There is so much complacency about these tests primarily on account of bogus courses / materials - poor sods paying for Math Qs devised for the Multiple Subject Credential test: what a beastly scam and a veritable crime upon the credulous...- and county / district tutorial programs caculated to reinforce basic concepts than equip one with more advanced ones. One would imagine that practically ALL aspirants are accoutred with rudimentary skills, yes? I've had blokes declare that they knew more than their error-prone stammering instructors, and that Qs on topics like factoring and quadratic formula were agonized over. This sort of balderdash is INDEFENSIBLE!
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].
Anyway, a "loose" touchstone for one's state of preparedness is this: could you open a College Algebra / Precalculus book to ANY page (excluding the Trig stuff, naturally) and solve ANY problem? Repeat, ANY problem? Especially, the usual bugaboos of candidates:
* Mathematical Induction,
* Linear Programming,
* Vectors,
* Graphing Rational / Logarithmic / Exponential Functions and
* Solving Equations Using Row Transformations re Matrices
* Modelling Quadratic Situations
When I speak to candidates to gauge their skill-level on the aforementioned areas, it produces no little bemusement to hear, "I don't think I would have any serious difficulty doing them!" This sort of convoluted "double-negative-ish" hedging phraseology immediately communicates that they DEFINITELY do NOT possess the requisite competencies, and are simply embarrassed to admit the lack of virtuosity. Understandable, of course, under the circumstances, but reflective of a state of denial, to explode which, would call for the services of that Genius of Scolds, Dr. Phil.
My prescription remains:
* Get good books / reliable prep resources / materials
* Do ~ 2 hours of study on weekdays, ~ 4-6 hours on weekends
* Banish from your existence any dalliances with flippancy and frivolity till you emerge victorious. There shall be a moment for wanton celebration, later.
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].
If there was but ONE strategy for the FR Qs that was demanded of me, this would be it: do NOT leave ANY Q blank!
In my assessment, the grading is not stringent at all, and effort, however, minuscule, is rewarded magnanimously. In the past, I've had several "new" candidates report that they got a 219, and I suspect they had left a couple FR questions unaddressed!
Eve if they felt totally at sea with the Qs, sustained contemplation may have led to ideas and concepts that build on one another to furnish a response, which, while incomplete, might not suggest rank ignorance! Partial credit is easily vouchsafed!!
Offhand, "studying more" is not the same as "studying right" [yes, yes, it's easy for me to pontificate thus, and, er, that is precisely why I, um, pontificate thus!]...
The point is that a gimlet-like focus needs to be directed at the CSET domains [shall we all agree to ostracize the blighter that struck upon this utterly pompous term?!] as outlined on the official CSET site as well as "fine-tuned" and expatiated upon here for Subtest I, here for Subtest II and here for Subtest III.
Next, it isn't a terrible idea to accoutre oneself with quality study resources. Numerous threads on this site have dwelt on this realm: while some swear by Schaum's Series, and others swear at Schaum's Series [oh, just an idiotic gag! seriously, the books are quite serviceable!], my own favourites - texts I've used myself quite lucratively or those I've browsed upon others' endorsements - are summarized here and here for Subtest I, here and here for Subtest II, and here for Subtest III.
Then, either one teaches oneself and has, both, the capacity and the disposition to do so, or one hires a professional tutor, perhaps, or, if time is not o.t.e. one might consider enrolling into an Intermediate Algebra, and then, Precalculus class at a local Community College, as the need may be...
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].
In my experience with countless candidates that've got a 200+ or 200-, fundamental stuff like Quadratic Functions and Equations, Systems of Equations, etc. have usually been mastered. It's the "hard-core" Precalculus concepts like Mathematical Induction, Linear Programming, Logarithmic Functions, Solving Equations with Matrices, Hyperbolas, etc. that cause one to trip up. It is the latter that ought to be cynosure of one's attentions...
Finally, subjugation to a severe, unsparing, even forbidding [what the devil?!] study regimen is much recommended [oh it's just the simulacrum of the monk that resides in me speaking...]. Of course, there shall be resolute opinions to the contrary; but one needs to realize that there is no room for frivolity and disport here! There is a notion - to which I readily vouchsafe my imperial imprimatur [?!]; everybody can relax now! - that each Subtest requires ~ 100 hours of diligent study, untrammeled by sundry diversions. Much merit resides there!
Do realize that most of the CSET Qs are calculated to befuddle, perplex and discombobulate. The capacity to make "conceptual leaps" is an enviable attribute to own.
"Oh, if *that* is what you seek, why in the blazes can you
Not say so in syllables of 2?!"
Alas, the very pedestrian recommendation remains: try problems and exercises from a variety of resources.
Anyway, chaps that didn't pass: don't lose it, yes? This is all infernally frustrating, to be sure, but agonizing self-recrimination is self-defeating. There are sure to be concepts / topics on the test that made the eyes glaze over: make a list, and take a vicious stab at those, for a start!
And don't tarry!
I've known chappies that've taken the test 8-9 times. Not a very savoury porspect, what? Imagine the time and money disspipated!
Well, I've always maintained that the CSET SS Math skills are NOT of the elementary or even intermediate calibre! There is so much complacency about these tests primarily on account of bogus courses / materials - poor sods paying for Math Qs devised for the Multiple Subject Credential test: what a beastly scam and a veritable crime upon the credulous...- and county / district tutorial programs caculated to reinforce basic concepts than equip one with more advanced ones. One would imagine that practically ALL aspirants are accoutred with rudimentary skills, yes? I've had blokes declare that they knew more than their error-prone stammering instructors, and that Qs on topics like factoring and quadratic formula were agonized over. This sort of balderdash is INDEFENSIBLE!
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].
Anyway, a "loose" touchstone for one's state of preparedness is this: could you open a College Algebra / Precalculus book to ANY page (excluding the Trig stuff, naturally) and solve ANY problem? Repeat, ANY problem? Especially, the usual bugaboos of candidates:
* Mathematical Induction,
* Linear Programming,
* Vectors,
* Graphing Rational / Logarithmic / Exponential Functions and
* Solving Equations Using Row Transformations re Matrices
* Modelling Quadratic Situations
When I speak to candidates to gauge their skill-level on the aforementioned areas, it produces no little bemusement to hear, "I don't think I would have any serious difficulty doing them!" This sort of convoluted "double-negative-ish" hedging phraseology immediately communicates that they DEFINITELY do NOT possess the requisite competencies, and are simply embarrassed to admit the lack of virtuosity. Understandable, of course, under the circumstances, but reflective of a state of denial, to explode which, would call for the services of that Genius of Scolds, Dr. Phil.
My prescription remains:
* Get good books / reliable prep resources / materials
* Do ~ 2 hours of study on weekdays, ~ 4-6 hours on weekends
* Banish from your existence any dalliances with flippancy and frivolity till you emerge victorious. There shall be a moment for wanton celebration, later.
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].