"Not an ordinary study guide"
935939
I thought maybe the "study system" was just a marketing scheme but when I was able to look through the book myself I turned out to be wrong. They tell you why cramming isn't a good way to study and they organize your studying in a way that helps you remember more. I'm about half way through the book and so far so good.
1207322
I have decided to give this practice test study guide for multiple reasons.  Firstly, I will preface this with I have taken both Praxis I, Praxis II content, and Praxis II pedagogy for Iowa licensure.  I am currently also pursuing licensure in Illinois which is why I am taking this exam.  At first when I began taking this practice test I was overwhelmed because the content was much different from the Praxis exam.  The Language Arts section had been challenging, and potentially including content that I would not predict to be on the exam (based on my previous experiences with the Praxis II content exam), but still had questions that I thought would be beneficial to review.
When I came to the math section, I was very angry. Firstly, on some of the questions that required you to reference charts, had the charts missing from the guide.  Additionally,  the questions I got through all had to do with statistics and advanced graph analysis, material that I went over in a college level class. After this, I decided to do more research to determine if I really was in trouble for the test, or if, as I had predicted, it would be similar to the Praxis II content.  I finally began to find some resources that made me more confident in my knowledge and confirmed what I had already guessed.
I would NOT recommend buying this.  Instead there are many other resources.  As mentioned before, the Praxis guide has similar content that can help you study for this exam.  Additionally, AUSL has compiled a variety of study materials from states that take this same exam from Pearson.  As they specify, some of the test questions may be tailored to that state, but the content and types of questions will be the same.  This has a lot of different study material and is a much more valuable resource.
2373441
This study guide helps me. I have been able to study. Thanks for this study guide it really helps me study.  I have learned so very much.  I will probably buy the next study guide too.
4527768
It was recommended to me as the best study guide available. I believe that this book would be better if it provided examples instead of just vocabulary. I purchased the test suggestion exam because it provided examples. There were several terms that I am unaware of that would be on the exam and this booklet will help me to learn the specific terms. Overall I believe this book will provide me with a significant amount of information necessary to pass my test. It will take me some time to study but I believe this book will provide me with the guidance needed to be successful.
3658632
I am pleasantly surprised by this handbook. John MacArthur did a masterfully wonderful job researching and combining his sermons together to write this great book.

This is not your typical Bible handbook like "Nave's". Instead the MacArthur "Handbook" is like what you would find in a study Bible at the beginning of each book of the Bible. BUT the MacArthur "Handbook" goes into far more detail.

This indepth MacArthur Bible handbook gives you an "Introduction to the Bible", "How We Got The Bible", and "How to Study the Bible". It also gives you an indepth book-by-book examination of all 66 books of the Bible.

Not only that, this MacArthur handbook also has much to offer by examining each of the 66 books by its author, the date approximately written, the meaning of each book, background and settings, key people, key words, key doctrines, interpretive challenges, God's Character, book outline, answers to tough questions, and how to further study each book. As well as there is "A Harmony of The Gospels", "Introduction to the Intertestamental Period", "Overview of Theology", and too much more to state here.

This is an excellent resource for anyone studying the Bible and is a must have in any library.
2011996
This excellent book takes us by the hand and leads us through the various tours, with different study goals in mind for each. It's more than just a guidebook though. It's an educational experience unlike any I've had in my life. I'm delighted with it!

Some scriptures I've always known are coming to life for me. I had never thought about the connection of Mount Moriah going back beyond Abraham. Jacob's famous dream finally makes sense to me. I haven't learned so much in a long time.

I want to tell everyone that they should get this book when they are ready for a serious study of the history of Jerusalem, starting further back than you might have thought. Of course it's written for Jews, but if you are a Christian, like me, don't think you won't be able to use it. If you run into a term that is unfamiliar to you, just keep reading and it will usually become clear. An example is The Kotel, which most of us have always known as The Western Wall. We as Christians also don't usually know much about the Bar Cochba Revolt from our Bible studies, so this may be new information. Other than that, it's all going to be familiar territory.

Even if you've read through the Bible numerous times and gone to Sunday School all your life, you're going to be surprised how much more there is to learn from this book which puts us in Jerusalem on tour, listening as "the stones cry out" to us.

If you love Jerusalem, you are very likely to appreciate this book very much.

If you love archeology and/or history of the Holy Land, again, you are likely to love this book. I've been studying Hebrew along with the archeology of the Holy Land. I wish I could go back and physically do this tour as presented here, but I'm going to have to be satisfied by doing it by memory.

There are ten tours:

1. Beginnings - In the Footsteps of Abraham
2. David and His City - The Rise and Fall of Biblical Jerusalem
3. Secrets of the Temple Mount
  Part A - Building a Temple
  Part B - Ascending with the Olei Regel
4. The Kotel and Environs
5. Underground Jerusalem - The Kotel Tunnels
6. From Splendor to Ashes - Second-Temple Jerusalem
7. "And Zion Will Be Plowed Like a Field" - from the Bar Cochba Revolt to the Middle Ages
8. The Jewish Quarter - A Dream in the Making
9. The Moslem Quarter
10. The Valley of the Dead Comes to Life

This book is the serious approach to a tour of Jerusalem that I was looking for. In my own experience during a three-week tour last year, with ten days of it based in Jerusalem, we entered the Old City through different gates every day, running through the various quarters, not really knowing what we were seeing. Most tours are by nature not designed to be a serious study of the events that have taken place over time.

Archeological Excavations Outside The Gates of The Old City:

Recently there has been increased interest in the area directly outside the gates, where excavations continue to reveal amazing archeological findings from the time of David and Solomon and beyond. These are addressed in this 'much-more-than-a-travel-book' as well, with excellent pictures.

We can take this tour from our own homes and probably get more understanding of it than those quick tours, even though being in Jerusalem is a great blessing no matter how quick the tour. If only I could go back in person and do it THIS way.
3601312
Great study guide and practice questions!

This book begins with an introduction about what is the NMTA exam, what is on the exam, how it is scored and administered.

The book is broken down by: students as learners, the instructional process, assessment; and professional development, leadership, and community.
Students as learners covers student development and the learning process, students as diverse learners, student motivation and learning environment, and terms.
The instructional process covers planning instruction, instructional strategies, questioning techniques, communication techniques, and terms.
Assessment covers assessment and evaluation strategies; national, state, and district standardized assessments, and terms.
Professional development, leadership, and community covers professional development practice and resources, implications of research, views, ideas, and debates; reflective practices, the teacher's role in the community, the teacher as collaborator, implications of legislation and court decisions, and terms.

There are two practice tests with 100 multiple choice questions and 2 constructive responses each with separate answers.

I would recommend this study guide and practice tests for the NMTA exam!
4107072
This is the kind of book that an average reader is going to struggle with.  It is not in any way an easy read.  There are many passages that elude me completely.  It reads like an upper level college text book.  I am reading this by myself and do not have a mentor and I am struggling with this work.  I read one or two pages at a sitting.  I study other reference material and then reread this.

I have no doubt about the academic excellence of this work.  And I have found it very educational.  However I need to constantly study, in complete silence and total concentration, and have on hand other resources, about who and what the author is referring to.  If you are an average reader, prepare yourself to work through this work very carefully, or in the alternative to become frustrated.  Thank You...
1933138
The title of this item SAYS "STUDY GUIDE" So I am not sure why people think that they are getting the text book, as indicated in other reviews.  If you are taking a course and the text is required for your studies, I would suggest picking this up even if it is not mentioned for your course.  It is great review and study help, and you can usually get a great deal on it used (if the questions are answered already, somply get whiteout and erase them..this is only for yourself).  In conclusion, I would suggest this text to anyone!
2007711
The study guide is very helpful and is easy to read.
1144682
Holy Cow!  I didn't think that they could make a greater study guide than the (5018) but this Praxis II Elementary Education (5017) is AMAZING!  I recently received this book after using a different version - I need ALL of the study guides to prepare for my Praxis II - and the 5017 is HUGE.  It has over 150 more pages of material than the previous 5018 guide!  Cirrus has done an excellent job in creating new, different content for this study guide.  This study book is designed to help you review important concepts in multiple subjects, learn study and test strategies from experienced teachers, practice your test taking skills with over 200 realistic test questions and hopefully help you pass your Praxis II Elementary Education test the first time.  This new book is a game changer for me.  They have included a whole new section dedicated to Teaching Theory and Practice, which is what I felt was missing from the last book.

PART ONE - Teaching Theory & Practice (48p) covers Curriculum: State & National standards, Common Core Standards, Curriculum Planning // Instruction: Learning Theories, Instructional Methods, Classroom Management, Student Motivation // Assessment: Assessment & Evaluation Strategies.
PART TWO - Reading & Language Arts(48p) covers Content Knowledge: Reading Foundational Skills, Teaching English to ESL, Reading Literature & Informational Text, Writing, Language, Listening & Speaking, THEN Goes deeper into Curriculum: Reading Foundational Skills, Reading Literature & Information Text, Writing, Language, Listening & Speaking, and Terms you should know.
PART THREE - Mathematics(40p) Covers Content Knowledge - Numbers & Operations, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry & Measurement, Data, Statistics, & Probability, and then deeper into Curriculum: Numbers and Operations, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry & Measurement, Data, Statistics & Probability, and Terms you should know.
PART FOUR - Social Studies (70p)- again split between Curriculum & Content Knowledge: Geography, Anthropology, and Sociobiology, World History, US History, US Government, Civics & Democracy, Economics, Social Studies Skills & Process, and Terms you should know.
PART FIVE - Science (52p)- Split between Content Knowledge and Curriculum - Earth & Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, Science & Technology, Science Skills & Processes, Terms
PART SIX - I'ms so excited about this one - ART MUSIC & PHYSICAL EDUCATION!! (28p)  Curriculum & Instruction covers Art, Music, Physical Education and Health, then the Assessment sections covers Art Assessment, Music Assessment, Physical Education Assessment, and Re-Teaching.
PART SEVEN - PRACTICE(134p) - Practice questions split up by sections, including answer keys and explanations.

This is by far the most comprehensive PRAXIS II study guide I have seen.  I am beyond thrilled that it includes Art, PE & Music as often times those very critical portions are overlooked.  I am also excited that it includes teaching theory & practice which will help with the PLT test that we take around the same time as your Praxis II.  Overall I would say this book is a must have for anyone preparing to take the Praxis II Elementary Education test.  While I am aware that there are several versions of the Praxis II for Elementary - I feel that this study guide would be helpful for any of those tests.

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.  I am currently studying to become an Elementary and Secondary Art Educator and plan to have a second certification in Elementary Education.  I hope you have found this review to be helpful*
3211652
I purchased this book the Summer before my freshman year of college in order to brush up on Chemistry (since I was initially a biology major). Even though this is a "Complete Idiot's Guide" book, don't be fooled by the title. The book wasn't as easy to understand as I thought it would be, but it does break down lessons step by step. If you are the type that is easily bored or has ADD, then this book will be a challenge for you to get through. This is not a book you can just skim through expecting to master chemistry. As with any source of study, this book is only as valuable as the time you put into it.
4544448
Not a casual read. Good book but it's more of an article of study than a good read.
4396756
I've never bought a book like this before so I don't have much reference to compare this to, but a few weeks in I'm satisfied with this book! I bought it used so I didn't get the audio CD I guess it comes with, so I can't fully utilize the book, but if I had that guide to listen to this would be perfect. Recommended if you can self-direct your studies, because it doesn't have homework questions or self-tests.
2856621
I took my exam for the first time this past weekend and I PASSED!!  The study guide was well worth the $$ and helped tremendously with getting the right mindset and test taking mode.  I also put hole punches in the flashcards and put them in rings that were sub divided into the different areas of study.
4365733
This is not the usual type of book that I would pick up. I did very much enjoy the style and different approach. I now better understand where and how not to put my hard earned money. I look at financial planners in a different light. I highly recommend reading this enlightening guide.
4318421
I have been very impressed with the study guide, it was very difficult for me to find a study guide that didn't just have practice questions.  This study guide gave me an opportunity to read terms, definitions and math problems prior to taking the practice exams.