Preparing for the West-B:
Feeling Confident,
Finishing Strong!
Today’s Agenda
• Strategies to prepare
for the West-B
• Practical
• Social
• Timeline
• Reducing anxiety
• Psychological
• Practical
• Dealing with “what
if’s?”
Practical Strategies:
Increase Comfort with the Content
• Know the test objectives
• Determine the meaning
of words or phrases in
context
• Meaning of words using
context clues, syntax, and
structural analysis
• Recognize common use of
misused words
(two/to/too)
• Determine the meaning
of figurative/colloquial
language in reading
• Identify synonyms or
antonyms for words in a
reading section
What Tools Can You Use
• Time! Every day
something toward the
test!
• Review basic
textbooks
• Eighth grade level
• GED test book
• Teacher test books
from other states
• Praxis-1
• TExES
How To Study the Study Guides
•
•
•
•
Read directions closely!
Preview section headings
Think of specific questions
Read the chapter
thoroughly
• Reflect on the examples—
relate them to your own
background/experiences
• Recite and check your
understanding
• Review questions—can you
answer them without
referring to the text?
Studying by Section: Math
• Math section
• Flash cards about the
meanings
• Write your own math
problems/stories
• Look up sample math
tests at the 8th grade
level
• Find a teen-ager with
a Mohawk
Studying by Section: Writing
• Writing section
• Fluency and quality of
discussion
• Organization, logical
sequence of ideas
• Developing the
argument
• Word choice, sentence
structure
• Correct mechanics i.e.,
spelling, capitalization,
punctuation
Studying by Section: Writing
What are the characteristics of a good
friend? In an essay read by a general
audience of educated adults, explain
your ideas about what makes
someone a good friend. Include details
to support your views.
Some people believe that voter turnout in local,
sate, and federal elections would increase if
election day were a national holiday, while others
disagree that this would help significantly. In an
essay read by a general audience of educated
adults, express your opinion on this issue. Defend
your position with reasoned arguments and
supporting examples.
Studying by Section: Reading
Read and
comprehend idea
and supporting
details
Critical thinking
i.e., fallacies,
credibility,
facts/opinions
Writer’s purpose
Predict outcomes,
draw conclusions
Analyze the
writer’s stated or
implied purpose
Apply graphs,
charts, tables to
reading selections
Identify sequence
of steps or events
Select solutions
Studying by Section: Reading
• Reading section
• Start reading!
• Talk about your
reading to others
• Read something and
then ask someone
else to read it and
then discuss
• Write your own
questions
Social Strategies
• Trust
• Belonging
• Accountability
• Outside of the group
From Those Who Have Done It…
“Sign up for the writing sub-test separately.”
“The test is at about the 8th grade level.”
“I made the same mistake of taking all subtests in
one day and couldn’t complete the writing part.”
“The reading part and multiple –choice part are
mostly common sense.”
“Study the sample answers and the scores that were
given in the study guide.”
http://www.pedagonet.com/books/studyguides.htm
Reducing Your Anxiety
Know What to Expect
• Test 8:30 – 1:30
• Four ½ hours long
• Can go to the bathroom
• No food or drink
Take Control of Your Test!
• Look at test questions first
• Mark a skipped question to
return to it later
• Choose a section to
complete first
• Confidence booster
• Make sure you skip on the
answer document
• Try to eliminate incorrect
answers
• No penalty for incorrect
answers; selecting something
is better than nothing
• Read thoroughly!
• Can read once as an
overview
• Once with questions
• Work backward—quickly
scan, then review
questions, looking for
answers in passage
Take Control of Your Body
• Dealing with physical
symptoms
• Deep breathing
• Visualization
• Heavy hitter:
Cognitive reciting
• Affirmations
Take Control of Your Body
• Fuel your efforts:
• Get enough
cumulative sleep
• May be too nervous
to sleep the night
before
• Protein, protein,
protein
• Caffeine and/or sugar
only if it doesn’t
cause a delayed freefall
Deal with What If’s?
• What if you don’t pass?
• 16 times!!!!
• Re-offered certain number of
times per year
• You don’t have to ace it, only
pass it
• Most people DO end up
passing
• No reflection of you as a
teacher
• Masses of people struggle
with tests
• Help YOUR future students
You Will Do Beautifully!
Best of LUCK!