An Overview of Praxis Core
For your first lesson, you will learn all about the Praxis Core exam. As you begin this course, you probably have lots of questions about the tests. For instance, how many tests make up the Praxis Core exam? Do you have to take all the tests at once, or can you take them separately? By the end of the lesson, the tests will no longer be a mystery to you and you will be ready to start preparing.
The Reading Test
In this lesson, you will become familiar with the reading test of the Praxis Core exam. You will learn about the different types of reading questions you will come across, including useful strategies and examples of reading questions. Then you will have the opportunity to take a full-length practice reading test.
Math Basics: Arithmetic and Decimals
Have you ever heard the phrase "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" and wondered how it relates to math? This lesson will start preparing you for the math portion of the Praxis Core exam. You will learn what this phrase means in the math world, tips for using the calculator, and exponents, square roots, and decimals. By the end of the lesson, you will have a solid understanding of math basics.
Math Basics: Fractions and Ratios
This lesson focuses on fractions and ratios. If you're someone who has a fear of fractions, after completing this lesson you will realize that fractions are indeed your friends. You will learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals and fractions, as well as how to reduce and build up fractions.
Conversions, Percentages, and Measurements
How much is 25% of 544? If an item that was originally priced at $175 dropped to a price of $105, what is the percentage of decrease? This lesson answers these questions as well as others involving percentages. You will also learn how to convert percentages into fractions and decimals, and vice versa.
Algebra
Does the sight of the algebraic equation 3x - 5 + 7x = 9x - 2 scare you? If it does, by the end of this lesson it won't. You will discover everything you need to know about algebra to be successful on the math test. This includes what algebraic expressions are, how to combine like terms, and how to solve equations and inequalities.
Geometry
Have you ever wondered how much fencing you will need for your backyard? To answer these questions, you have to know some geometry. In this lesson, you will get a crash course in geometry, where you will learn about area, perimeter, volume, lines, angles, shapes, congruence, similarity, and the infamous Pythagorean theorem.
Statistics and Probability
Have you ever heard the terms mean, median, mode, and range? This lesson explores what these statistical terms mean and how to calculate them. After that, you will learn about the many types of graphs that you will come across on the test, including pie graphs, bar graphs, and pictographs.
XY Graphs
In your final math lesson, you will learn how to make xy tables, plot points, and graph lines. You will discover how the slope of a line is just like driving a car. Also, you will learn how to do a geometric transformation, which sounds difficult but really isn't. At this point, you will be ready to try a full-length practice math test.
Grammar Review
This lesson introduces the writing test of the Praxis Core exam. First, you will go back to the basics by reviewing parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar rules. This grammar refresher will give you a good foundation for the writing test.
The Writing Test and Its Questions
Is it better to say, "PIN number" or "PIN"? In this lesson, you will also learn idiomatic expressions and commonly-confused words. Next, you will become familiar with the two types of questions that you will see on the multiple-choice portion of the writing test.
The Essays
For the last lesson of the course, you will prepare for the essay portion of the writing test. You have two essays to prepare for—the argumentative essay and the source-based essay. You will see some sample essay prompts, learn how each essay is scored, and analyze examples of both good and bad essays. Finally, you will practice the process for writing two successful essays in the allotted amount of time.