Preparing to take the PAPA
Preparing to take the PAPA
Preparation is key to successfully passing the PAPA exams. It is important to spend quality time on the Pearson website looking at what knowledge is tested on each exam and how the exams are structured. The website does offer practice exams, however students have reported the actual tests are more difficult.
Also, you are taking the exams in a general testing center, so there are people taking different tests during your testing time and entering and exiting the room at different times.
Reading strategy reviews are very helpful because the passages are said to be long, and most test prep books have that kind of strategy review (see if the library has a copy of BARRON’s Praxis I PPST review).
For math, reviewing all of the formulas on the math formula sheet they provide on-line so you’re comfortable using them is important. If any seem rusty, we recommend checking YouTube for a video of a teacher reviewing that particular formula.One favorite is Tarrou’s Chalk Talk – it’s review videos he has prepared for his AP Math and Statistics classes. Also, if you are really stuck on how a formula is used and how it works, you might want to take your sheet to the tutoring center or learning lab on campus and ask for help from one of the math tutors.
Also, for the writing part, we’re recommending that you keep your writing very straightforward. If they don’t give you specific paragraph guidelines, use the basic 5 paragraph structure:
- introduction of topic and the three supporting ideas,
- 3 paragraphs with each paragraph devoted to one of the supporting ideas,
- final paragraph to sum up what your three supporting ideas just explained and a recap of your topic.
This may seem like early high school, but that formula style of writing works and allows you to focus on your sentence structure and grammar.
What if I don't pass the first time?
If you do not pass the PAPA the first time, evaluate what didn't work for you. Were you not prepared to take the test? Were you tired or hungry during the test and felt distracted? Did you worry too much about the timer and were not focused enough on the test? Did you feel like you didn't know some of the material that was being asked? Did you feel like you didn't have enough experience taking a standardized test like the PAPA?
After speaking with Pearson regarding subject specific prep material, we were referred to the company who worked with them to create the PAPA, since Pearson does not have PAPA prep materials published. The website is www.myneslab.com/expanded.html and costs $22.50 per module for 6 months of access to each subject prep area, including a diagnostic test, explanations, and practice problems. The modules that align to the PAPA are Essential Academic Skills (EAS), Subtests I, II, and III ONLY.
If you think you really just need more practice taking the tests, there is a company called Exam Edge, and they have practice tests for many different products, and their thought is "practice makes perfect." They provide full length timed tests for students to take, then they give immediate feedback on what was missed, and more importantly, why it was missed and what they were actually looking for in the correct answer. The site for reading is www.papareading.com. They have a live chat available to answer any questions. They also have www.papamath.com for tests in math.
Additional resources will be posted to this page as they become available.
Where can I take PAPAs near State College?
Lock Haven University is approximately 30 miles from State College and they offer a large quiet testing center with circular tables for privacy and free parking in front of the building.
