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FTCE General Knowledge Exam
Test Preparation and Testing Strategies
DISCLAIMERS:
- Participation in a district sponsored preparation event does not guarantee success on the FTCE General Knowledge Examination. Your continued preparation, attention to stressors, and taking the exam within a reasonable time after the prep sessions, will be key to satisfying this very necessary step in the process to ensure your continued employment.
- These tips and strategies were generated in an effort to prepare participants for the FTCE General Knowledge Examination.
Suggestions in Preparation for the Examination
Create a study plan. A study plan is a great way to manage your time and study more efficiently for the exam. In preparation for the exam, it is imperative that you study a minimum of 30 minutes a day leading up to the exam.
Do all the problems at least twice to catch errors. If you did the exam from the first problem to the last, wait and then do the exam from the last problem to the first. This way your mind cannot remember what you did as easily, so you may catch more errors.
Utilize the Blueprint (Link Document) for the examination and focus on competencies that will be on the examination, because it will allow you to plan and prepare in order to manage your time more efficiently.
Don’t avoid areas that you’re struggling with. Utilize the DCPS General Knowledge (GK) Resource Page, (Link Document) PowerPoints, Lesson Plans, and Videos to learn more about the areas that are troublesome. Identify them, so you can work on them and improve your mastery of the competency.
To study more efficiently, set goals for each of your study sessions. It is important to study as much as possible. For example:
- Identify the components you wish to master in a particular study session.
- Commit to a set duration time for your study session (ie. 2 hours)
- Write an Essay on a random topic that may not be familiar to you to test your ability to perform outside of your comfort zone.
Use these examples of memory techniques that can help make it easier for you to memorize information:
- Mnemonics
- Flashcards
- Repetition
- Recordings
Your exam is going to include a mix of different types of questions, therefore you should prepare to answer different types of questions. For example, here are some tips for multiple choice exam:
1) Read the questions carefully and check whether it is asking you to only choose one answer or to choose multiple answers.
2) Try to think of the answer to the question before you look at the options that you have to choose from.
3) Guess the answers if you’re not sure, but make a little mark next to the question so that you can check it again if you have time at the end.
Carefully read the exam instructions and questions before you start writing, or answering a question. For the Essay portion only write what you need to in order to answer the question.
Don’t leave any questions blank. Answer every question, even if you’re not sure about the answer, because there is not a penalty for incorrect answers. In fact, it is better to guess the answer to a question rather than to leave it blank. There is a 25% probability rate of getting the question right by guessing verses a 0% probability when its left unanswered.
Keep an eye on the time remaining and use all of the time appropriated for the exam. Estimate the time you have for each allotted question. For example, if you have 60 minutes to complete 120 questions you should allot 30 seconds for each question.
Complete the easiest problems first. Don't stay on a problem that you are stuck on, especially when time is a factor.
Remember, not everyone prepares for exams the same way, so find what works best for you and stick to it.
Suggestions the Night Before the Examination
Eat before a test. Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy. Don’t try to pull an all-nighter a good night’s sleep will provide you with energy the day of the exam.
The night before the exam, pack everything you need, so you have less to worry about on the actual day. These are the items you will need:
- Your Admission Ticket (Link Document)
- Proper Identification
Suggestions the Morning of the Examination
Arrive early and with a positive mindset. Continuously give yourself positive self-statements. It’s especially important to find ways to stay motivated.
Go to the bathroom before walking into the exam room. You don't want to waste any time worrying about your bodily needs during the exam. There is an allotted amount of time for each section of the exam and you will not be given additional time if you have to leave the examination area for any reason.
For Additional Tips and Strategies Visit: http://fl.nesinc.com/FL_DayOfTest.asp