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Beating Them All! Thirty Days to a Magic Score on Any Elementary Literacy Instruction Exam for Teacher Certification
The Magic Score is a universal preparation manual that will assist test-takers across the country beat any elementary reading instruction exam ( National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES) exam) The strategies and methods presented in this text are research-based and will allow candidates pass the exams on their first attempt.
168 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 27, 2020
Good strong resource to help teachers prepare for PRAXIS exams in writing and reading
July 23, 2013
****snore*****
I briefly referenced most of the book, but read all of Chaper Two: Magic Content. In addition to my review below, I was surprised at the number of editing errors or omissions, and surprised to see that Pearson published this. Shabby editing.
First of all, the idea of "magically" getting a good score on a test is appealing, but stupid. I know that idea was in the title, but I didn't realize the Boosalis would continue to use it as an organizing motif. I suppose it was supposed to boost my confidence, but all it did was make me feel like I was reading an infomercial.
In fact, precious space (and study time, had I read the whole book) was often used to explain how valuable, well-organized and extremely essential everything in the book was. I tired of these mini marketing statements when I know exactly why I bought this book: To dig into basic concepts of reading assessment and instruction at the elementary levels that I don't encounter regularly as a high school teacher. Unfortunately, I only really found that info. in one chapter.
I suppose that Chapter 2 was useful in the sense that it reassured me that my internet search for resources was actually well on the right track, and that had I known this book was so much about test strategies and so little about actual content, I could have prepared just as well by spending more time with the resources I found online. You can peruse my list of resources on my blog without paying $28.99: http://amethysthintonsainz.blogspot.c.... Also, it did conceptually help me to create a schema for some of the information that I found online, and I think that will be helpful.
The other chapters were all about testing strategy. I feel very confident about my essay writing skills, and my ability to study for and pass a multiple choice exam. I suppose that if I felt less competent in these areas, the rest of the book would have been more useful. To Boosalis' credit, the tables and charts at the end of the book do provide good structures for creating a study guide to the material, and some people might benefit from that. The problem is that it wasn't really comprehensive, and so something like an electronic file or flashcard set that can be added onto is more useful for me.
If you have huge test anxiety or are not a quick or organized student, this book would be more useful. If you are looking for an overview of essential issues, there are just as useful ways to go for less money.
I briefly referenced most of the book, but read all of Chaper Two: Magic Content. In addition to my review below, I was surprised at the number of editing errors or omissions, and surprised to see that Pearson published this. Shabby editing.
First of all, the idea of "magically" getting a good score on a test is appealing, but stupid. I know that idea was in the title, but I didn't realize the Boosalis would continue to use it as an organizing motif. I suppose it was supposed to boost my confidence, but all it did was make me feel like I was reading an infomercial.
In fact, precious space (and study time, had I read the whole book) was often used to explain how valuable, well-organized and extremely essential everything in the book was. I tired of these mini marketing statements when I know exactly why I bought this book: To dig into basic concepts of reading assessment and instruction at the elementary levels that I don't encounter regularly as a high school teacher. Unfortunately, I only really found that info. in one chapter.
I suppose that Chapter 2 was useful in the sense that it reassured me that my internet search for resources was actually well on the right track, and that had I known this book was so much about test strategies and so little about actual content, I could have prepared just as well by spending more time with the resources I found online. You can peruse my list of resources on my blog without paying $28.99: http://amethysthintonsainz.blogspot.c.... Also, it did conceptually help me to create a schema for some of the information that I found online, and I think that will be helpful.
The other chapters were all about testing strategy. I feel very confident about my essay writing skills, and my ability to study for and pass a multiple choice exam. I suppose that if I felt less competent in these areas, the rest of the book would have been more useful. To Boosalis' credit, the tables and charts at the end of the book do provide good structures for creating a study guide to the material, and some people might benefit from that. The problem is that it wasn't really comprehensive, and so something like an electronic file or flashcard set that can be added onto is more useful for me.
If you have huge test anxiety or are not a quick or organized student, this book would be more useful. If you are looking for an overview of essential issues, there are just as useful ways to go for less money.
May 14, 2013
I read this book to prepare for the MTEL 090 Foundations of Reading exam. I was able to read the book and learn from it in less than 2 weeks (while taking a full graduate course load). I had limited knowledge of teaching reading before this book. I passed the exam on the first try (many other preservice and in-service teacher friends had the same experience with this text). This book is quick and to-the-point, unlike many test preparation guides. Boosalis knows exactly what you need to focus on to pass the exam. This is great as a test preparation material, but should not be used to actually learn how to teach reading (if that makes any sense). I recommend supplementing this guide with a literacy textbook (a great one is Literacy for the 21st Century by Gail E. Tompkins) if you want to actually master the material. However, if you need to pass a teaching reading certification exam, this is the book you want.
August 20, 2016
This is a great book to use to study for the FoR MTEL. But it shouldn't be the only tool, book, or resource used. There were typos and errors, yes, but I'm usually forgiving. It's a good extra material to use on top of whatever works for you.
July 18, 2021
Guess we’ll see in a month if I passed my exam? 🤷🏻♀️ edit: I passed! This book is fantastic, generalizable, very well organized, and concise. Buy this book for Foundations of Reading study prep!
June 13, 2013
Beating Them All! made studying for the TExES much easier. Great resource.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews