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    NMTA Basic Skills Test (Field 01)
    NMTA Basic Skills Test (Field 01)
    NMTA Basic Skills Test (Field 01)
    Ebook325 pages3 hours

    NMTA Basic Skills Test (Field 01)

    By The Editors of REA

    ()

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    About this ebook

    REA Helps Put Teachers At The Head of the Class! All-New NMTA test prep helps teacher applicants master the exam and get into a New Mexico classroom! In-depth reviews cover all state-defined subject areas, including key educational concepts, and more. Features a full-length practice exam. Practice exam answers are explained in detail for greater understanding. Bolster your study with test-taking strategies and study schedule guidelines that get you ready for test day. DETAILS - Written by specialists in teacher education - Comprehensive reviews cover all areas of the NMTA test - Practice exam features every type of question, subject area, and skill tested on the actual exam - Each practice exam question is fully explained in easy-to-follow detail - Adaptable study schedule that fits your lifestyle
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherResearch & Education Association
    Release dateJan 1, 2013
    ISBN9780738667263
    NMTA Basic Skills Test (Field 01)

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      Book preview

      NMTA Basic Skills Test (Field 01) - The Editors of REA

      Research & Education Association

      61 Ethel Road West

      Piscataway, New Jersey 08854

      E-mail: info@rea.com

      The Best Teachers’ Test Preparation for the

      NMTA New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills

      Copyright © 2006 by Research & Education Association, Inc.

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced

      in any form without permission of the publisher.

      Printed in the United States of America

      Library of Congress Control Number 2005931097

      International Standard Book Number 0-7386-0151-9

      9780738667263

      REA® is a registered trademark of Research & Education Association, Inc.

      Table of Contents

      Title Page

      Copyright Page

      About Research & Education Association

      Acknowledgments

      Introduction

      INTRODUCTION

      Basic Skills Review

      Chapter 1 - Reading Comprehension

      Chapter 2 - Foundations of Written Communication

      Chapter 3 - Mathematics

      Chapter 4 - Written Communication-Composition

      Practice Test

      Practice Test Answers

      Index

      Your Test-Day Checklist

      About Research & Education Association

      Founded in 1959, Research & Education Association is dedicated to publishing the finest and most effective educational materials—including software, study guides, and test preps—for students in middle school, high school, college, graduate school, and beyond.

      REA’s Test Preparation series includes books and software for all academic levels in almost all disciplines. Research & Education Association publishes test preps for students who have not yet completed high school, as well as for high school students preparing to enter college. Students from countries around the world seeking to attend college in the United States will find the assistance they need in REA’s publications. For college students seeking advanced degrees, REA publishes test preps for many major graduate school admission examinations in a wide variety of disciplines, including engineering, law, and medicine. Students at every level, in every field, with every ambition can find what they are looking for among REA’s publications.

      REA’s practice tests are always based upon the most recently administered exams and include every type of question that you can expect on the actual exams.

      REA’s publications and educational materials are highly regarded and continually receive an unprecedented amount of praise from professionals, instructors, librarians, parents, and students. Our authors are as diverse as the fields represented in the books we publish. They are well-known in their respective disciplines and serve on the faculties of prestigious high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and Canada.

      Today, REA’s wide-ranging catalog is a leading resource for teachers, students, and professionals.

      We invite you to visit us at www.rea.com to find out how REA is making the world smarter.

      Acknowledgments

      We would like to thank REA’s Larry B. Kling, Vice President, Editorial, for supervising development; Pam Weston, Vice President, Publishing, for setting the quality standards for production integrity and managing the publication to completion; Christine Reilley, Senior Editor, for project management and preflight editorial review; Diane Goldschmidt, Associate Editor, for post-production quality assurance; Jeremy Rech, Graphic Artist, for interior page design; Christine Saul, Senior Graphic Artist, for cover design; and Jeff LoBalbo, Senior Graphic Artist, for post-production file mapping.

      We gratefully acknowledge David M. Myton, Ph.D., Renay M. Scott, Ph.D., Karen Bondarchuk, M.F.A., John A. Lychner, Ph.D., Janet E. Rubin, Ph.D., Ellen R. Van’t Hof, M.A., Nelson Maylone, Ph.D., and Ginny Mullen, Ph.D., for providing foundational material for this book. We also thank Al Davis, M.A, M.S., for editing this book in accordance with New Mexico’s NMTA standards.

      We also gratefully acknowledge the team at Publication Services for editing, proofreading, and page composition.

      Introduction

      Teach...

      Inspire...

      Lead...

      INTRODUCTION

      With this book in hand, you’ve taken an important step toward becoming a certified teacher in the state of New Mexico. REA’s all-new NMTA teacher certification test prep is designed to help you get into a New Mexico classroom. The instructive chapters in this book provide complete coverage of the NMTA Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills with in-depth reviews of every topic and area appearing on the exam. A full-length practice test carefully modeled after actual NMTA exams will hone your test-taking skills. All practice test answers are explained in thorough detail to provide you with a greater understanding of the exam’s content and difficulty. When you finish preparing with this book, you will be well-equipped with all the knowledge, practice, and strategies needed to succeed on this important exam.

      ABOUT THE TEST

      What is the NMTA used for?

      The New Mexico educator licensure system is based on the attainment and demonstration of competencies adopted by the Public Education Commission (PEC). The New Mexico Teacher Assessments (NMTA) are required for individuals seeking initial New Mexico licensure. Additional information about educator licenses and endorsements is available at the PED Website at http://www.ped.state.nm.us.

      If you are applying for a New Mexico educator license for the first time, you must complete a fingerprint background check. Fingerprints must be taken by a law enforcement agency or other agency with staff trained to take fingerprints. You may request fingerprint cards by contacting the Educator Ethics Bureau at (505) 827-6649, or you may contact a local school district.

      Am I required to take this test if I hold a teaching certificate from another state?

      You may be allowed New Mexico teacher licensure under the state’s reciprocity option. First you must possess a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. You must also possess a valid, standard certificate/license from another state, and can provide proof of passage of a teacher competency exam for that out-of-state license, or you can provide evidence of having satisfactorily taught under that out-of-state license. For online information about this option, visit the New Mexico Public Education’s Professional Licensure Unit at www.sde.state.nm.us/div/ais/lic.

      How is the test content determined?

      The New Mexico Staff Accountability Plan of 1981 mandated assessment as part of the state’s teacher licensure requirements. In response to this mandate, the State of New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) selected National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES) to fulfill the requirements for a testing program by developing and administering the NMTA. The purpose of the NMTA is to help identify candidates for licensure who have demonstrated the level of knowledge and skills that is important in performing the job of a teacher in New Mexico public schools.

      The NMTA test addresses areas covered by the Public Education Department Teacher Competencies and Indicators and other state policy documentation. The test is criterion-referenced and competency-based. A criterion-referenced test is designed to measure a candidate’s knowledge and skills in relation to an established standard rather than in relation to the performance of other candidates.

      Test questions are developed using educational materials relevant to New Mexico, including textbooks, New Mexico’s curriculum frameworks, teacher education curricula, and licensure standards. The questions are reviewed by committees of New Mexico’s teachers, teacher educators, and other content and assessment specialists.

      Who administers the NMTA?

      The NMTA is administered by National Evaluation Systems (http://www.nmta.nesinc.com). NES is one of the largest testing firms in the United States.

      When is the NMTA test offered? How long is the testing time?

      The NMTA test is offered five times a year. Each test administration consists of two sessions: a morning session beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at approximately 12:30 p.m., and an afternoon session beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at approximately 5:30 p.m. For current information about scheduling and test sessions, see the most recent version of the New Mexico Teacher Assessments Registration Bulletin.

      Additional information is available from the New Mexico Public Education Department, to which NES is under contract. The department can be contacted as follows:

      New Mexico Public Education Department

      300 Don Gaspar

      Santa Fe, NM 87501-2786

      Phone: (505) 827-5800

      Website: www.ped.state.nm.us

      Is there a registration fee?

      Yes. In fact, there are several fees. Additional service fees are added for late registration, emergency registration, and changes in registration. Check with NES for fees and payment options.

      HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

      What do I study first?

      We recommend beginning your study with the comprehensive chapter reviews. It is important to read over each review, noting crucial test-taking suggestions and insights. By studying each review thoroughly, you will reinforce basic skills that are vital to performing well on the NMTA. After reviewing, take the practice test. This is the best way to acquaint yourself with the actual exam’s format, procedures, and level of difficulty. An added bonus to taking these practice tests is knowing what to expect on exam day.

      Wisely scheduling your study time is also a key component to your success on the NMTA. To best utilize your study time, follow our flexible NMTA study schedule at the end of this chapter. The schedule is based ideally on a seven-week program, but can be condensed if needed.

      When should I start studying for the NMTA test?

      It is never too early to start studying for your NMTA test. Time is your ally here. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills and focus your efforts. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you enough time to learn what will be required of you. It takes time to learn the tested areas and test format. Make the most of your time while you have it. Use it well to master the essentials necessary to pass.

      FORMAT OF THE NMTA TEST

      What is the basic format of the NMTA?

      The NMTA is designed to measure fundamental communication and mathematical skills that the state of New Mexico requires of its classroom teachers. To do this, the NMTA assesses three broad areas of knowledge and skills: Reading Comprehension, Written Communication, and Mathematics. The entire test contains a total of 100 selected-response (multiple-choice) questions and one constructed-response assignment. Selected-response questions provide you with four answer choices. The constructed-response assignment is a written essay of 300-600 words on the assigned topic. Your essay will be evaluated on the following criteria:

      The extent to which you address the topic and your appropriate use of language and style.

      The clarity with which you state and maintain your main idea or point of view.

      The clarity of your writing and the logical sequence of your ideas.

      Your use of depth and specificity involving supporting details.

      Effective use of sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and grammar usage. Errors here will count against you.

      ABOUT THE SUBJECT REVIEWS

      The subject reviews in this book are designed purposefully to provide you critical insight into the content and form of the NMTA. For smarter study, we break down this part of test preparation into more manageable chunks. Before you begin reviewing, it is important to note that your own schooling experience has taught you most of what is needed to answer the questions on the actual NMTA. Our review is written to help you fit and shape information acquired over the years into a context ideally suited for taking the NMTA.

      You may also be taking test preparation classes for the NMTA or have purchased other study guides and textbooks. Reviewing class notes and textbooks along with our subject reviews will provide you with an even better foundation for passing the NMTA.

      SCORING THE NMTA

      Your results for your NMTA are reported using a score range of 100 to 300. A scaled total test score of 240 represents the scaled minimum passing score for the test. Subareas of your test will have different numbers of test questions depending on the subject. It is not possible to average your performance across subareas to arrive at the total test score. Your total test score is based on the total number of test questions you answered correctly. You do not lose any points for wrong answers. Each selected-response question counts the same toward the total test score. You do not have to pass a test’s subarea to meet the minimum passing score.

      The constructed-response assignment is scored by at least two qualified educators with relevant professional backgrounds. The scorers receive extensive training in standardized scoring procedures and take a qualifying assessment to ensure they are up to the task. A score is assigned based on a scale that describes various levels of performance. Scorers judge the knowledge and skills contained in each response while focusing on a set of characters as defined by New Mexico educators. If a candidate’s response is blank, unrelated to the assigned topic, of insufficient length, illegible or incomprehensible, written in any language other than English, or otherwise unscorable, the candidate will receive a score of U (unscorable) and may not pass the test. The score for the constructed-response assignment is converted to a scale of 100 to 300, with 240 or above representing acceptable performance.

      Unofficial scores for the NMTA test will be available on the Internet by 4 p.m. MT on the official examinee score report mailing date. Refer to the test registration schedule on the back cover of the NMTA Registration Bulletin for further information. Unofficial scores are available on the Internet for approximately two weeks. To access your unofficial scores, go to www.nmta.nesinc.com and follow the score retrieval instructions. Official scores will be mailed approximately five weeks after the test date.

      If you do not achieve a passing score, review the detailed explanations for the questions you answered incorrectly. Note which types of questions you answered wrong, and re-examine the corresponding review. After further review, you may want to retake the practice tests.

      And finally, if you do not do well on test day, don’t panic! The test can be taken again, so you can work on improving your score on your next NMTA. A score on the NMTA that does not match your expectations does not mean you should change your plans about teaching.

      Test-Taking Strategies

      Although you may not be familiar with tests like the NMTA, this book will help acquaint you with this type of exam and help alleviate test-taking anxieties. Here are the key ways you can more easily get into an NMTA state of mind:

      Become comfortable with the format of the NMTA. Practice tests are the best way to learn the format of the NMTA. When you take a practice test, try to simulate the environmental conditions of the actual testing facility. Remember, you are in training for the NMTA, and simulated testing conditions will only help you perform better. Stay calm and pace yourself. After simulating a test even once, you boost your chances of doing well, and you will be able to sit down for the actual NMTA with much more confidence.

      Read all the possible answers. Examine each answer choice to ensure that you are not making a mistake. Jumping to conclusions without considering all the answers is a common test-taking error.

      Use the process of elimination. GUESS if you do not know. If you do not know the answer immediately after reading the answer choices, try to eliminate as many of the answers as possible. Eliminating just one or two answer choices gives you a far better chance of selecting the right answer.

      Do not leave an answer blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers, and you might even get it right if you have to guess at the answer.

      Familiarize yourself with the test’s directions and content. Familiarizing yourself with the directions and content of the NMTA not only saves you valuable time, but can also aid in reducing anxiety before the test. Many mistakes are caused by anxiety.

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