In this blog post, I’m excited to introduce my brand new study guide, The Foundations of Reading Test Study Guide (FORT). We're going to go through everything this study guide has to offer and share some tips and tricks to help you pass the exam with confidence.
Introduction to the Foundations of Reading Test
This study guide is the result of continuous feedback from all of you, and I’ve worked hard to make it the best study guide possible. If you’ve used my Teaching Reading or other reading resources before, you know how comprehensive they are. This new study guide takes things up a notch, offering even more practice questions and additional tips.
What’s Inside the Study Guide?
The Foundations of Reading Test is divided into four key sections to cover all areas you need to master for the exam:
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Foundations of Reading Development: This section includes essential topics like phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and morphology. In this guide, morphology is treated as its own section, which sets it apart from many other tests that combine it with phonics.
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Reading Comprehension: This section explores advanced skills, focusing on vocabulary, as well as comprehension of both informational and literary texts.
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Reading Assessment and Instruction: Here, we dive deep into assessment methods, covering both code-based and meaning-based assessments, formative and summative assessments, and various other testing tools. You’ll get detailed information on how to assess students’ reading abilities, which is a key part of teaching reading effectively.
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Practice Test Questions: After each section, you’ll find 10 practice questions that specifically relate to the material just covered. These questions are designed to help you apply what you’ve learned and check your understanding. Answer explanations are detailed, explaining why the correct answer is right, and why the other options are wrong. This helps you learn to spot small nuances between answers, which is critical for success on the exam.
Additional Features
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Two Full-Length Practice Tests: I’ve included two complete practice tests, each with 100 questions, designed to mirror the actual exam in terms of complexity and length. These tests give you a realistic preview of what to expect on test day, and of course, I’ve provided in-depth answer explanations for each question.
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Open Response Section: One of the most challenging parts of the exam is the open response section. To help you succeed here, I’ve included 10 sample open-response prompts, along with strategies for answering them. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at responding to these types of questions under exam conditions. I’ve also included tips for success to guide you through the writing process and help you apply your knowledge effectively.
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Good Words/Bad Words List: I’ve created a list of “good” words and phrases that you’ll want to look for in answer choices, as well as “bad” words and phrases that typically signal an incorrect answer. This can be an invaluable tool when you’re working through practice questions.
How to Use This Study Guide
First, I recommend taking the first practice test as a baseline without looking at the answers right away. Once you’ve completed it, grade it and review the areas where you scored the lowest. These are the sections you should focus on in more detail.
After studying each section, return to the practice tests and take them again. You’ll notice improvements as you work through the material, refine your knowledge, and address any areas of weakness. This process will ensure that you’re thoroughly prepared for the exam.
Key Takeaways
- Read through the book’s content, don’t just rush to the practice tests.
- Use the mini quizzes to check your progress and understand why certain answers are correct or incorrect.
- Don’t neglect the open response section. Practice writing responses using the strategies and prompts provided.
- Take the practice tests multiple times to ensure you’re ready.
Remember, this study guide is designed not just to help you pass the exam, but also to make you a better reading teacher. The strategies I’ve outlined are applicable to real-world teaching, so you’ll be well-prepared for both the exam and your future classroom.
Good luck with your studying, and I hope this study guide helps you achieve success on the Foundations of Reading Test.
