Math – Pre-algebra
The pre-algebra sections of various standardized math tests vary, depending upon whether you are taking an educator licensing exam or a college placement test.
Math for Educator Licensing Exams
Most states require that prospective teachers pass a basic skills test before they grant a state teaching license.
Such state teaching examinations include the CBEST in California, the PAPA in Pennsylvania, the GACE in Georgia, and the CASA in Indiana.
If you are applying for state teaching licensure, you have to pass the basic skills test because you will need basic mathematical skills for work.
For instance, math skills are needed in order to calculate students’ grades and to understand reports received from the State Board of Education.
Types of Math Questions − Teacher Certification
You will usually see the following types of problems on your state teacher certification examination:
Numerical skills questions are problems that require basic mathematical operations.
So, you will need to have good mathematical skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division for these types of questions.
Questions on this part of the test include the calculation of basic averages, estimating, working with integers, and understanding fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Word problems are math questions that are posed in narrative form.
For word problems, an equation usually will not be provided; instead, you will be given facts in list or paragraph form.
You will need to read and analyze the information provided in order to answer the question.
Basic algebra includes understanding mathematical equivalents, as well as inequalities.
The exam will also include questions asking you to create basic equations or to solve a given equation for a specific variable.
Data analysis questions show information in illustrations and diagrams.
You may see tables, bar charts, line graphs, or pie charts in these types of math questions.
Your math test may also contain questions on basic probability.
These kinds of mathematical problems ask you about the chance of something happening.
You usually need to express probability as a fraction or percentage, so be sure you review these skills.
Math for College Placement Testing
In addition to the above types of math problems, college placement testing may include advanced math problems such as: