Before anyone calls me names, and I know you will, I am a lowly teacher after all, I spend my own money to go to conferences and I spend most of my summer take classes or participating in seminars and institutes that do not cost my district a penny. But it does make them look good that I am participating though.
I hate standardized tests (ask me what I think about the Teacher Insight bull). And this test is so broad and will cover stuff I will never teach. I am not a good test taker at all. I think too much and I obsess. I don't know how I did on the GREs. Did not take it seriously at all, but got a full ride for my real Master's, so does it really matter? Honestly, I think it is a money maker for these testing companies. They could care less about quality, all they want is the money. The one bright side is that I have taught both World and US (not econ, and I have no plan to) and since that enhances knowledge, it will help.
I have read several blogs, etc. and got nothing of use. Some said read literature and lecture notes from B&N. One said study for 4-6 months. One put down teachers who do not do well on the test. They said the same thing about teachers who took the MA test which went from practice to live in a matter of days. Therefore, it was invalid by all test measures I know. I have AP books for World and US, plus I am getting Econ for Dummies. I want that passing score the first time since failing once will pretty much brand me as an ignorant, unintelligent loser who is not qualified to mop the floor at McDonald's. Hey, that is what my SAT said and I graduated with Honors. Take that College Board.
