As with any major exam preparation should begin well in advance of the exam date. The amount of time necessary for studying will vary depending upon your timetable, study habits and your commitment to do well. Remember, cramming for this type of exam will generally work against you. Follow the guidelines below that have been adopted from the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ExCET web site.Be sure to check out the Preparation Manual for The Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET) on line manual site that includes a list of competencies that will be tested, strategies for answering test questions, etc.
General Guidelines
The night before...
1. Get a full nights sleep (7-8 hours) not only the night before, but for a couple of nights before as well.
2. A brief review may be necessary, but remember this is not a cram session. You should be reviewing, not learning everything at the last minute.
3. Review the driving directions to the testing sight. This is also a review and the actual directions should be mapped out earlier.
4. Try to spend some time relaxing by getting your mind off the test after your review (i.e. light exercise, call or see a friend etc.).
D-Day (The day of the exam)...
1. Eat a good breakfast that is carbohydrate rich and has a little protein too (have you heard this before!).
2. Drink coffee only if you are a regular coffee user. Don't drink more that you would on any given morning.
3. Bring along a snack for the midmorning or midafternoon hunger.
4. Bring extra pencils
5. Bring a picture ID
6. Bring a receipt or any other form of confirmation you might have.
7. Leave for the testing sight early! Too much can go wrong on the important morning that can make you late.
During the test...
1. Answers to questions: Two are remotely correct and two are reasonably correct. Use your critical thinking skills and pick the best answer.
2. You will not be penalized for guessing.
3. Cross out obviously wrong answers
4. Highlight possible answers and choose the best one.