Passing the exam

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I want to offer a word of encouragement to everyone planning to take the ELA exam. I just took my ELA exam and passed the multiple-choice section of the exam. I am awaiting my results on the writing section and will update as soon as possible. If you prepare using the material given you will do fine.

I relied heavily on the refresher course, and I printed the material in order to prepare my own personal notebook to study. I also used my MP3 to record myself reading the lesson so that I could study while working, jogging, or doing house work.

The writing section of the exam was personally a little harder, but I am going to remain positive until I get the final score. I studied for writing section by grabbing a poem and simply writing.

I also wanted to mention that I attended a workshop on test taking techniques offered through ABCTE that I found helpful. I hope this offers a little encouragement for those planning to take the ELA exam.

Best of luck,
Jackie =)

There are many study tips in the forums (PTK, writing, & ELA) which would apply to you.
Happy Reading! =)

I am just starting the studying process for ELA and PTK. Any great study tips? Also, has anyone else had extreme difficulties getting your advisor to contact you?

I passed the ELA on attempt #2. I got the results yesterday. It looks like most of the English teaching jobs here in Mississippi have been filled, however. So much for the teacher shortage. Anyway, I am still applying for the few that are left. Good luck to all.

I just wanted to send a word of encouragement to all of you who are preparing to take the PTE and ELA exams. I passed both on my first attempts. It can be done! And, if you don't pass on your 1st attempt, please don't give up if teaching is truly your dream.

My suggestions: 1. Use the refresher course. Focus most of your attention on those areas in which you are unfamiliar and/or uncertain (although be sure to review all). 2. Use the practice cds. They will prepare your mind to think in the manner in which the actual test questions are asked. 3. On the Essay part-save about 15-20 minutes for review. IMO, this is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Also, answer every element of the prompt-give short but complete answers. And, avoid any words you are not 100% sure of. Also, know/use the basic form for a memo, letter, or essay. Simplicity coupled with completeness is key.

I hope this helps someone. Good luck and God bless.

Has anyone taken the Math or Physics exams? I have earned my B.S Engineering degree in '84, spent 16 years in high-tech sales and 4 years as a licensed financial advisor. With a two year old at home and my wife who does well in her job, I left industry last year to begin subsitute teaching a the local High School and Middle School.

The Passport to Teaching, in this case Alt. 3B in NH, I am able to complete the course work and apply directly to the State for professional certification. I interviewed for two different long-term sub positions in the past few months and lost out to people that had their certifications in the content areas of Math and Physical Science/Biology. I know that by studying and passing the content specific exams will 'refresh' my memory of courses take 25+ years ago and show my commitment to teaching when interviewing for the next opportunity.

btw, I have talked with some of the teachers about their certification experience through the traditional institution & intern path where they typically paid $15K/year while working as an unpaid intern for year prior to getting a teaching job. Some of which still owe money from loans taken for undergraduate study which leaves them with $20-30K in loans with a teacher's salary.

The other advantage of the online course is that I am available to study from home.

I passed the PTK months ago. It took me two attempts in order to pass the essay portion.

I'm now facing my third and final attempt to pass the ELA essay portion. (I know I have to take the whole test. I passed the multiple choice with a 314 and then a 316.)

Questions:

Why is the essay portion AFTER 3.5 hours of rigorous testing and not before?

Does anyone else need more than an hour (say 90 minutes) for the essay portion?

Since passing the essay exam is so important, why give us just 1/3 the time compared to the multiple choice?

I recently signed up for the program and have begun studying for the chemistry subject test. Does anyone who has taken this test have any suggestions for a "beginning" student in this program? Thanks.

I recently took the ELA exam and did not pass the multiple choice test. I felt that I did not know the terminology as well as I thought I did, even after studying nightly for months. After the exam I went to Barnes and Nobles and bought the English Language Spark Charts, and Poetry Spark Charts. The Spark Charts have a lot of the terminology that is needed on it. I think those will help me with next time. You can order the Spark Charts on their website too.

It does seem like $850 is a lot of money for a piece of paper, doesn't it? That is, it does until you begin to break the cost down and compare it to obtaining certification another way. I already had a degree in my subject area, so all my required college courses in that area were covered except one or two. That left me only the required education courses to take through the nearest university, one which is not known for particularly exorbitant rates in comparison to others in the rest of the country or even other nearby colleges. Before I signed up with ABCTE, I crunched the numbers. Even if I have to retake ABCTE's tests, I'm saving about 10 times that amount of money just taking university tuition and student fees into account. That's not counting driving time, gas, time away from home and family, textbooks, and wear and tear on a vehicle.

I strongly feel that 850 dollars is an incredibly small price to pay for a professional certificate. Teaching isn't a job to undertake lightly. It's a vocation that puts one in the position to change the future. It's serious stuff. I have no desire to pay more, mind you, but if the price for ABCTE's program were tripled or quadrupled, it would still be an amazing opportunity.

Just sayin'. :)

I cannot believe that ABCTE charges another 150.00 dollars to retake the exam, whatdoes the 850.00 go towards? I took the PTK exam today and failed it and now i have to pay again to take it again. I am sorry i am extremely frustrated with this program and the materials are not much use. Also, if you did not learn anything after 3 semesters in college means you were either not there half the time or did not pay attention. I feel i can learn more from a professor and the material while pursuing a teaching certificate then this program. I believe that ABCTE is not as helpful especially after spending lots of money on a program that should help people to succeed. Would i recommend this program to anyone, hell no! Now i have to prepare for a Biology exam with this program which i am sure i won't pass. I passed my Biology classes in college but i probably won't pass the exam through this program. At least in college you pay for what you get, you put the time and effort in it and you become successful, plus the professors are willing to help. My advisor lives 3000 miles away, kind of hard to get help when they live 3000 miles away wouldn't you think. By the way, i did use all my resources and the practice exams and studied for a month and a half. Thanks ABCTE for taking my hard earned money, don't know what you do with all that money. Discouraged and frustrated.

I just took the exam and received a pretty good (distinguished) grade on the multiple-choice portion. I wanted to come in here like the others and explain what I did to pass the exam.

I studied for months. I started with the practice tests, both the CD and the Online Refresher Courses. I took the online courses and then printed them out. I really dislike sitting at my computer and studying. It's much nicer to go sit down or go outside, and studying during my lunch break at work was invaluable. I reviewing the practice tests until it was clear what concepts (note: not answers) I did not know. For example, it was pretty obvious to me that I didn't know Greek/Roman words, nearly enough biblical allusions, and I didn't know much about grammar aside from what it takes to write a paper. Based on what I didn't know, I would find the information in books, online (For instance, you can simply search for something like "biblical allusions" and get some pretty good lists), or the Refresher Courses and write new study guides in Word. I would then print them out and take them to work or wherever else I'd have some down time. After I felt I understood the concepts behind all the questions on the practice tests, I moved onto the English language arts standards that are continually linked on these forums and are part of the plan the adviser puts together. When I first read the standards all those months ago I was ridiculously overwhelmed, but after I had studied long enough everything began to come together to the point where I could look at the categories of the standards and see that I had actually covered the material in those categories. I began to put together study guides covering the information on the standards at that point.

Basically, I kept making study guides based on what I didn't know and I reviewed the study guides on what I did know, all the while having the refresher course exams printed out so that I could go back to those whenever I wanted. I also read parts of a book on grammar, The Everything Guide to Grammar and Style. I am still confused about some of the more complex or obscure elements of grammar however. I've just never had a class solely on grammar and, you know, indirect objects never really came up in our discussions of Paradise Lost or existentialism in college.

I also studied for the essay. I looked over the sample essays and noted what was different about each essay's structure and content and how that factored in the grade. I wrote a practice essay based on the worst case scenario: I'd have to explicate something about which I had no background knowledge and that had some difficult language I wasn't sure that I understood. I focused on structure and clarity.

I couldn't sleep the night before the test and was really nervous while taking it. I had to take deep breaths to calm myself down. It was nuts.

Good luck to everyone who is studying! Unlike me, I hope you guys go in relaxed. I'm sure it would have made the experience much easier. I was ridiculously happy when I got my scores back. I'm still waiting on the essay portion, but I feel I did pretty well on that.

Good luck

Kudos Joshua!

Not to cause anyone any more frustration, but I would like to express my appreciation for the ABCTE program. I took 3 semesters at a university to get my teaching certificate and after spending $15,000.00 I dropped out because of what I was NOT learning. Then ABCTE came to Missouri and my prayer was answered.

I am definitely frustrated with the program in some areas. It seems to me that some of the answers on the pre-tests are not consistent with certain themes or ideas I learned while preparing for it. I'm not the greatest test-taker in the world and these peckadillos are not making my life any easier.

However, I am going to past the tests, I know that. It may take me a time or two or heaven forbid three. At $150 per retake and $850 for the program, I'm finding it very difficult to complain. I've already learned so much more about how to be a good teacher in my two months of preparing for the exams than I did in a year and a half at the university (and after $15,000).

I understand some of the frustration, but that's life and nothing is perfect. Even if you need to take the exam 5 times before you pass you will be eligible to be a teacher much sooner and with considerably less debt than if you went to a university.

Not trying to suck up (not sure what that would get me, but if anything, feel free to let me know, ha!), ABCTE, but I appreciate your program and service as well as your committment to making it better along the way.

Joshua

I would like to congratulate all who have taken and passed the various portions of the ELA exams. I am still studying for both portions of the exam and I'm scheduled to take the test at the end of February. For those of you who are new and those who are still studying for the exams, I would like to share the following.

I am frustrated with studying for the ELA and I've had it with attempting to prepare for the writing component. The explanation of what is required in the writing component is too ambiguous and subjective. There is not enough information about it to be legitimately helpful. I’m disgusted with all of you at ABCTE who have been tooting your own horns about what you are calling helpful information.

New material showed up on my practice tests and I wanted to know why that information did not show up in my study materials. Your [ABCTE’s] canned answer is that since it is review material, not everything will be included. The problem with your thinking is that you don’t know what I need to review, so you should not be the one who chooses what is and is not included in the review material. All of the material for review should be included since that is for what I have paid. I have attended school in 5 different states and 2 different countries overseas from grade school through college. I can guarantee that in the 15 different schools I attended throughout the course of my learning career, I was never exposed to some of this material in the first place. I need the material to learn it before I can review it. I also believe the education I received was thourough, well-rounded, and comprehensive. If it hadn't been, I would neither have graduated high school nor would I have received my college degree.

Every time you recommend tools to help prepare for the test, you want me to shell out more money. What I have paid for has not been checked for quality. I have found so many errors on the ELA practice CD that it defies logic especially when it’s on an ENGLISH test. From incorrect punctuation provided in the answers to the omission of a complete paragraph needed to answer a question has rendered the practice tests practically useless. Now I have to pay more money to practice for the writing component. What is going to be wrong with the writing component practice exam when I pay for that? I have access to the ELA refresher course online, but there are portions of the online course such as videos that are down and have yet to be fixed. You have used your own discretion to omit review material that I need, so why can’t you provide me with any other study aids and include them with the cost of the program?

As of this point, I find that I have overpaid for what has presented itself to be an incomplete program. Whatever is included has too many mistakes, broken links, little follow-up and over generalized excuses for what isn’t actually offered. I have not brought broken links or videos that don't work to anyone's attention as it is already noted on the website as being "temporarily down." I have allerted you about some of the mistakes on one of the CD's that I purchased and my findings have been acknowledged. I have not reported all of the mistakes I have found because you have hinted to me that you are aware of more mistakes on the CD. I would like to know exactly what my money has gone to besides my background check. That's a little bit pricey for one background check. Assigning me an advisor was a complete joke since she terminated my advisement period about 30 days earlier than it was supposed to end. There were other issues with my advisor, too. I filled out the assessment about my advisor and no one followed up with me about the content of my evaluation. I merely received an acknowledgement that you received my assessment.

Congradulations Walt!
I am studying for the English exam. I am so neverous with all the information I am trying to absorb. I hope to be able to announce that I've passed the exam once I have taken it!

I have passed both multiple choice test and am waiting on the essay exam results. How long does it take to get these results? If you fail the essay and not multiple choice, can you just retake the essay. If so how much does just that section cost?

Hi, everyone. I apologize for taking so long to respond. I have passed both the ELA exam and the PTK exam. I used my refresher courses, practice exams (purchased) and a few of the recommended web sites as study materials.

I relied heavily on the refresher course for the ELA exam. I took all of the practice exams from the CDs and refresher course until I repeatedly scored nearly perfect on each. I also drew a time line and input significant historical events that affected the English language along with writing styles, works and authors of the specific period. I also took my own notes from the refresher course to study while away from my PC. I spent a brief amount of time on some of the recommended sites and sites I found pertaining to certain unfamiliar works of literature and/or authors. But, like I mentioned, this was very brief in comparison to the time spent studying with the aforementioned resources.

The multiple choice section of the exam was more difficult for me than the essay portion. But, I am usually stronger in the written area.

I spent much less time in preparation for the PTK exam. I also relied heavily on the practice exams on the purchased CD.

Both exams are quite rigorous and you must know your stuff! I took the ELA exam first, although it took longer to get my results on the essay from the PTK exam. I used every minute of each exam which allowed me to mark those questions with which I had the most trouble and review at the end, spending a little more time on these.

Be confident, calm and in control. If you have thoroughly prepared, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to check back more often.

Walt

I have passed the multiple choice section of the test without a problem, I am having trouble with the writing. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am signing up for tutoring with a local community college to improve my score on this section. What resources have others used to pass this test? I will be able to obtain my professional certificate when I pass the writing section. Any help is appreciated.

I have not seen any recommendations on buying books! Can anyone tell me where this is? I am getting ready to purchase the CD-Roms as well!
Thanks for recommending!

Those CD sets are extremely helpful, since they give you a direction for your studying and are reflective of the kinds of questions you will get on the test. I'm very glad I got them.

Congrats Walt!! Like Janine I just signed up for the course a week ago and am intrigued and scared. Although I attended college to teach secondary English education it was many moons ago and I feel like I am starting over. I too am interested in knowing which of the CD Rom sets and books in which you invested?
The best to both of you!

Congratulations, Walt! You must feel relieved to have the multiple choice part of the test behind you. My name is Janine and I just signed up with abcte last week, so I have a long road ahead. Has it been hard finding time to study? Do you work full time? One big question I have is this, Walt. Did you buy most or all of the recommended textbooks? I'm about to start buying used books at amazon.com and hope they will be good to study from. Any hints you have for this newbie will be appreciated! Again, congrats and best wishes as you keep going.