There will be multiple choice and 3 short answer (essay)
questions. Quite a few ‘scenario’ questions – you have a child with ‘x’ problem, what is the best instruction or you see ‘x’ in the classroom, what is the teaching trying to achieve. Will often ask what you as the teacher would do “first” – tricky to answer. You should reread the question for clues as to the answer that the test wants. Study the practice test and the glossary – particularly the glossary – one student found it helpful to cross-reference the definitions using texts from 366 and 436. Use the test blueprint to determine what to study. Information was more recent after 436. Know activities for the stages of readers and know at least one comprehension activity really well. On the VRA you can go back and forth between the multiple choice and the essays. Study notes/books from 366 and 436 Words Their Way was particularly helpful. Use essays as opportunities to show that you know and can use the terminology. Most students found these questions to be the most difficult. These topics have been on the test: o Phonemic awareness o Phonological awareness o Phonemes o Morphemes o Informal reading assessments o Emergent, beginning, and instructional stage strategies o Characteristics of readers at different stages (emergent, beginning, instructional) o Comprehension