# I don't suck as much at rudimentary math as I thought! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 12, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-suck-as-much-at-rudimentary-math-as-i-thought/194523 "2003-08-12T00:14:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-suck-as-much-at-rudimentary-math-as-i-thought/194523/1 "2003-08-12T00:14:20Z")
I’ve mentioned on the boards a few times that I’m going back to school in January to become a teacher. Well, the state of Virginia, like many states, requires a test called the Praxis for prospective teachers. On Saturday, I took the Praxis I which is the pre-program testing for the University certification program I plan to attend. There are three parts - a reading section, a math section, and a writing section. The reading is just as it sounds - basically a reading comprehension test. The math is basically rudimentary math skills - something that should be fairly easy, but of course, I haven’t done since I was in middle and elementary school - fractions, percentages, probability, weights and measures, medians, modes, etc. And the writing is partly a test of grammar and partly an essay. I spent some time studying last week and brushing up on everything. Reading and writing I had no qualms about as I’ve spent the last five years of my life as a semi-professional playwright and screenwriter. However, the math had me completely freaked. My poor boyfriend came to stay the weekend with me and I made him sit down with me for a half hour on Friday night to quiz me in math. I went in for the test Saturday bright and early. It’s a computer-based test, timed, but you can basically work at your own pace. I decided to take the math first since I was fresh, and to get it out of the way. I finished that in under an hour (time limit was an hour and fifteen minutes), then moved onto the reading. Again, I finished that in under and hour and took the writing. That involved multiple choice questions, but also the essay - so I wrote my essay. My former English teachers would have been proud. I stated my position, backed it up with examples, and gave a damn good conclusion. Because it was a computer-based test, I was able to decide once I’d finished the test if I wanted to submit my scores to my school of choice. I was feeling good about my math, so I decided to submit it. After I did, the computer showed me my score. The highest score one can get on this test is 190. My score popped up and I got a 185! I got my score on the reading, and it was 186! I have yet to get my writing score, but I’m feeling fairly positive about that as well (although the girls who were proctering exams for people told me that I could pretty much fail the writing and still get the cumulative score that I needed for my program). So, I was feeling pretty good today. This is a weight lifted off of my shoulders - I’ve scored well above the requirement for my program and will be able to start classes in January. And by December of 2004, I should be a full-fledged teacher:). A little far from what I once saw myself doing (writing for soap operas and living the high life in NYC;) - I’m still writing, though, and working on getting a series of childrens’ books published.), but I’m becoming more and more excited about it - I think this may be the path I was always supposed to take. It just took me awhile to find it. Ava ---
**Author:** ![hill\_o\_beans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4491bb/32.png) [@hill\_o\_beans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hill_o_beans)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-suck-as-much-at-rudimentary-math-as-i-thought/194523/2 "2003-08-12T01:16:03Z")
congrats!! glad to hear it went so well. be sure to do something to celebrate 🙂 I have to take the Praxis myself sometime in the next year…I think I will take it in the spring. What subject/grade are you specializing in? congrats again, hill ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-suck-as-much-at-rudimentary-math-as-i-thought/194523/3 "2003-08-12T01:38:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hill o beans \* > \*\*congrats!! glad to hear it went so well. be sure to do something to celebrate 🙂 > > I have to take the Praxis myself sometime in the next year…I think I will take it in the spring. > > What subject/grade are you specializing in? > > congrats again, > hill \*\* Thanks, **hill**! I’m specializing in elementary ed, and I’m learning sign language so that I can work with deaf children, but I do hope to get my Master’s in Administration. I’d like to become an elementary school principal after I teach for at least ten years. It just depends on where I am and where my career takes me:). What will you specialize in? And I recommend taking all three tests in one fell swoop. It was a serious weight off of my shoulders to have them all finished at once. Ava ---
**Author:** ![hill\_o\_beans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4491bb/32.png) [@hill\_o\_beans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hill_o_beans)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-suck-as-much-at-rudimentary-math-as-i-thought/194523/4 "2003-08-12T01:49:52Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by avabeth \* > \*\* > I’m specializing in elementary ed, and I’m learning sign language so that I can work with deaf children_\* that is very cool! I have taken some sign language myself and would love to take more someday. I am at the opposite end of the spectrum…Adult Education 🙂 I am almost done with my M.A. in Adult Education and I’m also getting a license to teach Adult Basic Education (Minnesota is one of the few states that has a license in ABE). I’m doing my field work this semester and taking my last class too (woohoo). Then in the spring I write my thesis and then I’m done. Not sure if I’ll be able to get a job (ABE is being cut left and right here) but I am hoping for the best. take care, hill