General Overview & Recommendations for PLACE Exam

1. Preparing for the Reading
Teacher PLACE Exam

2. Ack! It’s
time to
take the
PLACE
exam!
Now
what???

3. Re-read
all your
books?

4. Nah…You know the content
And guess what?
The test authors provide
the roadmap for you!

5. Where to start, you ask?
Check out the

6. Your goal is to
• identify the beliefs and premises that
underlie the PLACE Reading Teacher
Exam
• deconstruct the objectives of the PLACE
Exam Reading Teacher so you can
thoughtfully and critically approach the
experience of taking the test

7. First, gather your resources…
To get information about dates, cost, and registration go to:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/Licensure_PLACE_info.htm
For information about the PLACE exam from the publisher:
http://www.place.nesinc.com/
To download and print the study guide:
http://www.place.nesinc.com/CO_viewSG_opener.asp
scroll down and click on Reading Teacher (18)

9. Take the sample test…
Take the sample test, talk about your experience at
your table, what, if anything tripped you up? What
do you remember from past PLACE tests, if
anything, that tripped you up? How could you
approach that differently?
Remember your basic test taking skills- eliminate
obvious wrong. A guess might be wrong. The only
answer that will ALWAYS be wrong is no response.

10. Analyze the objectives:
find familiarity
Read through the objectives. Underline with a pen or
highlighter all the parts that match your experiences in
schools today.
Think through on your own or work with peers: is
what is happening in your school similar or dissimilar
to the practices highlighted in the objectives?

11. Analyze the objectives:
identify difference
• Read through the objectives. Use a
different colored highlighter to
identify objectives you will need to
approach from what you know
outside of your experience.

12. Consider questions…
1.What are some common mistakes people can
make when facing a test like this?
2.What are some ways you can pre-empt test-
taking anxiety that makes it easier to make
those mistakes?
3.How will you strategically approach taking
this exam?

13. Use good general test
taking skills.
Relax, get good sleep the night before, eat
breakfast and take deep breaths. Remember, this
is a test, but it is only a test.
Prepare yourself well. Think critically about the
experience and what the test seeks to measure.
Apply what you know. And relax. You will be
better able to show all you know if you breathe
deep and are relaxed.

14. Find others…
Learning is social and we learn better when
connected to a community. Find out who
else is taking the PLACE exam the same
semester you are- exchange contact
information, email, IM screen- names so you
can contact and support each other during the
week or two before the actual test.