Review session for GKT of FTCE

1. Spring, 2014
Dr. Wegmann

2.  Test-taking hints
 GKT information
 Sample questions
 Misc. information about the test

3. Eat before the test. Recommend: protein and fruit
Get at least 8 hours of sleep before the test.
Set your alarm and have a backup alarm set as well.
Try to show up at least 15 minutes before the test will start.
Go to the restroom before walking into the exam room.
Dress comfortably for the test. You may want to take several
layers of clothes so that you can adjust to the temperature of
the room.

4. Read the question before you look at the answers.
Come up with the answer in your head before
looking at the possible answers.
Eliminate answers you know aren't right. Usually
one per question is obviously incorrect.
Read all the choices before choosing your answer.
Since there is no guessing penalty, always take an
educated guess and select an answer.

5. Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is
the right one, unless you misread the question. Choose one letter
and stick with it.
On "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are
certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the
above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the
above".
On a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at
least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably
the answer.
A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one.
Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information
(or the longest).

6.  The General Knowledge test consists of four subtests: Essay, English
Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics. Click on a link below for more
information about each subtest.
 Essay (50 minutes)
 English Language Skills (40 minutes)
 Reading (40 minutes)
 Mathematics (100 minutes)
 Subtests may be registered for and taken separately, if desired. They are
available in both paper-based and computer-based formats. The total
testing time for all subtests is approximately four hours.
 Taking the entire test, including time for the administration of the
test, requires arrival at 8:00 A.M. and departure at about 1:15 P.M. Subtests
may be registered for and taken separately, if desired. No other test may be
taken that day.
 Each question will contain four response options, and you will indicate your
answer by selecting A, B, C, or D.

8. This subtest consists of an essay component that tests
competencies and skills including, but not limited to, the
following:
 formulating a thesis or statement of main idea;
 organizing ideas and details effectively;
 using effective transitions; and
 using a variety of sentence patterns effectively.

9.  The General Knowledge Essay subtest and several other
tests require the writing of an essay. The essay must be
an original essay, composed and organized when you
select the essay topic. The intent of the essay test
component is to show that you can, in the time
allotted, compose and write an original essay that
completely addresses the topic in an effective, wellorganized manner, with good grammar and spelling, as
described in the rubric in the Department's Test
Preparation Guide.

10. ♦ Determine the purpose for writing.
♦ Formulate a thesis or statement of main
idea.
♦ Organize ideas and details effectively.
♦ Provide adequate, relevant supporting
material.
♦ Use effective transitions.

11. ♦ Demonstrate a mature command of language.
♦ Avoid inappropriate use of slang, jargon, and
clichés.
♦ Use a variety of sentence patterns effectively.
♦ Maintain consistent point of view.
♦ Observe the conventions of standard American
English.

12.  For your essay, you will choose between two topics. The 50
minutes allotted for this section of the exam includes time to
prepare, write, and edit your essay.
 Your work will be scored holistically by two judges. The
personal views you express will not be an issue;
however, the skill with which you express those views, the
logic of your arguments, and the degree to which you support
your position will be very important in the scoring. Your essay
will be scored both on substance and on the composition
skills demonstrated.

13. SCORE of 6
 The essay has a clearly established main idea that the writer fully develops with specific details and examples.
Organization is notably logical and coherent. Point of view is consistently maintained. Vocabulary and sentence
structure are varied and effective. Errors in sentence structure, usage, and mechanics are few and insignificant.
SCORE of 5
 The essay has a clearly established main idea that is adequately developed and recognizable through specific
details and/or examples. Organization follows a logical and coherent pattern. Point of view is mostly maintained.
Vocabulary and sentence structure are mostly varied and effective. Occasional errors in sentence structure, usage
and mechanics do not interfere with the writer's ability to communicate.
SCORE of 4
 The essay has an adequately stated main idea that is developed with some specific details and examples.
Supporting ideas are presented in a mostly logical and coherent manner. Point of view is somewhat maintained.
Vocabulary and sentence structure are somewhat varied and effective. Occasional errors in sentence
structure, usage, and mechanics may interfere with the writer's ability to communicate.
SCORE of 3
 The essay states a main idea that is developed with generalizations or lists. The essay may contain occasional
lapses in logic and coherence, and organization is mechanical. Point of view is ambiguous. Vocabulary and
sentence structure are repetitious and often ineffective. A variety of errors in sentence structure, usage, and
mechanics sometimes interferes with the writer's ability to communicate.

14.  A place you would find interesting to visit
 A major, beneficial change in education that could be made.
 A law not currently in effect that should be enacted.
 A person now living whose actions have significantly affected many people.
 The advantages and/or disadvantages of being an only child (or the
youngest, oldest, or middle).
 Choose a place you would like to live.

15.  Using both Active and Passive Voice
 Not using Consistent Person (1st person or 3rd person)
 Not using Consistent Tense (staying in past, present
or future)
 Not having Subject/Verb Agreement
 Not having Sentence Variety
 Not using Transition Words

16. GKT Essay Writing Notes
Third Paragraph:
In addition, Mario Brothers is a game that all players can play regardless of age
or ability level. In some games, such as Scrabble, the person with the highest vocabulary
levels has an advantage and will usually win. It is difficult to find a game that different
ages of children can play with an adult. Many times I’ll play a game with my younger
children to spend time with them, but the game is not challenging to me. When we
all play Mario Brothers, my 9 year old son competes very well with me. In fact, I am the
weakest player and get killed the most when we play! My boys, regardless of age, are
very good at the physical skills needed to make their characters jump, duck, and fire
missiles when needed. They are also good at the mental skills of memorizing the layout
of the games to better succeed. Even when my character gets killed, I get to progress
with my team if they make it to the next level. No one is left behind. Every player is
stretched to the limit when playing the game. This unique feature makes the game
genuinely exciting for all levels of players, including me.
Notes:
Use transition words between paragraphs to make the ides flow. I used “In addition.”
Look at the underlined sentences as examples of more specific, supporting detail.
Vary sentence length to keep the writing interesting. Look at the two highlighted sentences to see
differences.
Use a variety of sentence structures and sentence types to show your command of the language. I
used both periods and an exclamation point in this paragraph.
©ThinkTime, LLC

17. ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS
This subtest consists of multiple-choice questions that test
competencies and skills including, but not limited to, the
following:
 conceptual and organizational skills;
 word choice skills;
 sentence structure skills; and
 grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation skills.

18. * DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.
A. The book taught me how to change the faucet and connect the water supply.
B. The book taught me how to change the faucet and connecting the water supply.
C. The book taught me about changing the faucet and to connect the water supply.
* DIRECTIONS: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s).
If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." If none of these positions
appeals to you, don't despair, there will always be tomorrow's help-wanted ads to
investigate.
A. despair there
B. despair. There
C. despair; there,
D. No change is necessary.

19. READING
This subtest consists of multiple-choice questions that
test competencies and skills including, but not limited
to, the following:
 literal comprehension; and
 inferential comprehension.

20. With the accession of Elizabeth 1 to the throne, a new age approached. The
Renaissance, a spirit which had kindled the fires of learning in other
countries, spread to England with its vibrant, intellectual queen to assist it
rather than to contain or extinguish it. With Mary or sickly Edward and his
protector and governor, Edward Seymour, the spirit of the Renaissance might
never have spread to a receptive assemblage of subjects, and England might
have continued its stifling asceticism and unproductive civil strife. Elizabeth
brought not only her remarkable leadership to the throne, but also her intense
desire to unify and help her people. Her education allowed her to appreciate
the vitality of the times and to capitalize on it. Rather than resisting the
restless individualism of the age, she nurtured it by her own unique example.
The people had a woman to idolize and emulate — someone who led by
ability rather than by force. And the people followed her out of gratitude and
love. Writers praised Elizabeth in prose, drama, and verse, and the Queen
and her subjects delighted in reading the literary homage.

21. Literal Comprehension:
1. Which sentence best states the main idea of this
passage?
A) The Renaissance was the rebirth of intellectual
growth.
B) Queen Elizabeth I helped to encourage a new age of
literary brilliance.
C) Writers praised Queen Elizabeth I in prose, drama,
and verse.
D) Queen Elizabeth I’s reign was one of great
leadership.

22. 2. According to the passage, what might have
caused the Renaissance not to have spread
through England?
A) Mary or Edward had reigned.
B) Elizabeth had not tried to read.
C) people followed any leader.
D) people had not tried to follow Elizabeth’s
example.

23. MATHEMATICS
This subtest consists of multiple-choice questions that
test competencies and skills including, but not limited
to, the following:
 measurement (using customary or metric units);
 geometry and spatial sense;
 algebraic thinking; and
 data analysis and probability.
You will be given a Mathematics Reference Sheet with information on it to use. (p. 2526 in the General Knowledge Guide.

24. Categories of the Competencies
# of test items
Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations
8
Measurement (customary or metric units)
10
Geometry and Spatial Sense
9
Algebraic Thinking
9
Data Analysis and Probability
9

25.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmwg40b7B9E

27. 1. Education Portal
http://education-portal.com/academy/course/ftce-general-knowledge-test.html
The most comprehensive review for GKT that is free. The site includes
videos, tutorials, sample questions, and more information about each part.
2. Mastering the GKT www.hhpublishing.com/gkt/
Go to the link, register, and then put in school number & school key.
School Number: 5553 School Key: COE3
After that you will create your own username & password.