Before
you take the test:
Know the test. Make sure, before you take the PPST, that you
understand what the test will be assessing and the conditions under which
the assessment will take place. This knowledge is essential for thinking
about and deciding on appropriate test preparation and test-taking
strategies.
For more information about the test check out the Pre-Professional
Skills Test: Mathematics handout, which is produced by the same
authors as the exam.
It would also be a good idea to buy a PPST Study Guide such as the ones
below:
The
ETS PPST Study Guide - This study guide is a little more expensive
than others, but it is by the same people who created the test. It
covers all three areas of the test: reading, writing, and math. It
contains excellent information about taking the test, has a great math
review section, and contains one practice exam for each of the three
subjects tested. This means there is only one practice exam
for math, so if you want more practice exams you may want to buy another
book in addition to or in place of this one. You can get it for
$21.00 on Amazon. Click
here to check it out.
The
Arco PPST Study Guide - This study guide is
inexpensive and contains three PPST practice test. Like the
ETS study guide it covers reading, writing, and math. It has a math
review section and tips on how to prepare for and take the test. You
can get it for $11.65 on Amazon. It is a good deal since you are
getting THREE practice exams for almost half the price of the ETS study
guide. Click here
to check it out.
These study guides and/or similar study guides are available at the UNI
bookstore or can be purchased at various places on the web. We also have
several different PPST study guides available in the Math Center that can
be used by students in the Math Center.
Build the skills. Certain math skills are required to pass
the PPST. If you don’t possess these skills, then you will have to
acquire them. This will not happen overnight! A good way of discovering
the skills you lack is to take a sample test. Sample tests may be found in
PPST study guides like those mentioned above. While working
through a sample test it is a good idea to make a list of the
concepts you need to work on. Come to the Math Center with this list and
any questions you may have. Our tutors can help you fill in some of the
gaps you found lacking in your math ability. We’ll do whatever we can to
help you build the skills you need to pass the exam, but ultimately you
are the only one who can prepare yourself for the PPST.
Practice the test. Take several practice tests before the
actual exam. It is best if you perform these tests under the same
conditions as the real exam. You can find practice tests in most of the
PPST preparation books available at UNI Book and Supply. We also have
practice tests available in the Math Center. These tests, however, must be
completed in the Math Center and are not available to take home.
During the test:
Pace yourself. For example, in the written version of the
exam you have 60 minutes to complete 40 questions. This means you have a
minute and a half to complete each question. Pace yourself accordingly.
Complete the problems you know how to do first. Don’t
squander your time on difficult problems. As you run out of time you’ll
become nervous and not perform well even on the questions you know how to
do. It shouldn’t take long to complete the problems you know how to
solve first. This will guarantee that you’ll receive these points and
will leave you with time to work on the more difficult problems.
Use scratch paper. Think on paper! The amount of information
you are able to store and process in your mind is very limited. By using
scratch paper you can think through and solve problems much more
effectively.
