Health EC-12
Study & Test Strategies

Strategy 1

Submitted by Danyalle Williams

Study Strategy

Certify Teacher
Texas Teachers practice test

Testing Strategy

My degree is in health so a lot of the information wasn't new to me. However the information as it relates to teaching it was learned from my study material. Keep in mind that this test is not solely about your knowledge of health information. Keep your thoughts "student-centered".

So study hard for a good 2-4 weeks if you want to be certain you'll pass.

I passed with a 278.

Strategy 2

Submitted by David

Study Strategy

1st attempt Result (March 2019): pass 244
Materials used:
1. certifyteacher.com with discount, (2+ tests).
2. Mometrix manual for health 157, (1 test).
3. Mometrix manual for health science 173, (1 test).
4. Pearson website preparation manual for health 157, (1 test).
5. Texas Teachers preparation manual for health via intern portal, (2 tests).
6. Texes flashcard app on google play.

I studied about 1- 2 hours daily for about 2 weeks. In total i took about 750 test practice questions!
Maybe 2-3 practice questions were on the test but not identically either. I have zero Health education background or experience.

Testing Strategy

Domains to spend extra time on: Community/Environmental Health & Safety.
What else to drill: I would learn std's and there symptoms, body systems and diseases/conditions affecting each.
How to get solution on actual test: eliminate 2 right away, think about perfect world resolution in scenario situations, other questions will give hints to other questions, use the mark feature to review questions later.
*The actual test was similar in style to the practice tests even though the practice questions were basically not on the test for me.
**I passed on my first attempt (March 2019) with a 244, (again I have no experience with Health education).

Strategy 3

Submitted by Michael

Study Strategy

I used the ETS Preparation Manual and Quizlet.

Testing Strategy

Coming from a health background, I could have passed this test without studying. I completed the test with lots of time to spare and then double checked my answers, which was a good idea because I caught a few mistakes.

Strategy 4

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I went to UTA and got their booklet for Health and studied that, and I also used the state's notes online. Finally, I borrowed a high school's textbook and read the entire book.

Testing Strategy

It was not that hard. I really just re-read the questions over and decided what was the best answer.

Strategy 5

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I have a health background from being a Exercise & Sports Science Major but I really did not study for this test...I glanced at a college text book a few times but that was it...With a health background I dont see anyone not passing this test..

Testing Strategy

I would look over a college health text book

Strategy 6

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

Having a professional background helped, but I mostly studied the Texes Prep Manual and also the Physical Education and Health sections of my EC-4 and 4-8 Generalist prep manuals.

Testing Strategy

It wasn't as hard as I thought it could be, but READ thoroughly and make sure you think child-centered on scenerio questions.

Strategy 7

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the free online Texes preparation manual. It helped alot and actually are similar to the actual test.

Testing Strategy

The test was a little harder than I expected due to you having to choose out of two correct answers, but in all most of it is common sense.

Strategy 8

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the free on-line study guide put out by TExES.

Testing Strategy

It was tougher than I thought. I would suggest studying a Kinesiology book for basic information. There's alot of theoretical/situation questions. It seems like two answers could be correct...but only one is MORE correct.

Strategy 9

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the test prep manual on TEA.

Testing Strategy

It was easier than expected.

Strategy 10

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used books from college. It's not a hard test, pretty much common sense. Just study the contents in the review on Texas Teachers website.

Testing Strategy

It was easier than expected. Don't be nervous and make sure you get a good nights rest.

Strategy 11

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I studied from college textbooks for nutrition, human sexuality, general health, growth and development, first aid, and general physical education. I also studied the review online. This worked pretty well for me, but I probably studied too much detail. If I had to do it over again, I would just review general concepts and not get too much in depth because it is not necessary. The test really did not have a lot of straight content material/facts. It had a lot of application questions about teaching procedures for health and what the teacher would do in different situations.

Testing Strategy

It was not too difficult but it was a little tricky in that it had a lot of application questions rather than factual questions. Overall it is not bad if you have a good health background.

Strategy 12

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used a High School Health book, as advised by several other posts I read, and a few notes from college.

Testing Strategy

"Health" was much broader than I expected it to be. Even as a Health Promotions major in college, I found myself asking what this question had to do with "Health". A lot of the posts I read said to study nutrition/make sure you're very knowledgeable in it, however I only had 2 nutrition questions. The majority of my test was STDs, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and drugs. I feel comfortable saying half of the material was from those content areas. I haven't gotten my results yet, but honestly my fingers are crossed. I was under prepared based off of my studying; luckily, I could make some educated guesses from prior knowledge.

Strategy 13

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used CertifyTeacher test prep; the questions give you an idea on how to answer questions. I found Quizlet to be very very helpful, as it focuses a lot with definitions and understanding the domains.

Testing Strategy

Mostly application questions. Make sure read for at least an hour everyday for 2 weeks before the exam to get a good knowledge base.

Strategy 14

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I am a long-term sub, so I was advised by a health teacher to obtain a copy of the actual Texas Health textbook by Glencoe. I bought it from Half Price Books and read it along with the Mometrix guide another coworker gave me. I really didn't use the Mometrix book much, but it does cover the core content section by section. I studied a week before and passed with a 256.

Testing Strategy

If you have any working knowledge of health, you can pass. I honestly didn't think too hard about the questions. I reviewed about 5 before I clicked submit because I had never seen the information before. Overall, fairly easy test.

Strategy 15

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used Study.com for five days prior to taking the exam. I found Study.com to be an effective site which covered 21 need-to-know chapters of the Health exam. At the end of each chapter, you received a quiz to test your general knowledge and then there was a cumulative test at the end. The information was easy to understand and the information was related to real life experiences. The videos and examples helped tie the information together and gave excellent points of reference.

Testing Strategy

The information was situational to a teacher's response mixed with common sense. The information related to the materials on Study.com. The first time I took the exam I made the mistake of only sleeping 2 hours. Because I was on no sleep, I second guessed myself and missed passing by 7 points. The first test focused heavily on the body systems. The second time around, with a goodnight's sleep, I was able to breeze through the test with no problem. Take your time; prepare, prepare, prepare. Get a good night of sleep and always remember to double check your responses. Sometimes after completing the test you may realize now that the biggest part of the stress is out of the way and you may have a different response. It's ok to review and edit your responses if you are unsure about what you chose. Lastly, be confident, I have learned first-hand that nerves can always get the best of you if you let it. Good Luck

Strategy 16

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the free study manual that's provided by Texas Teachers. I found this study manual to be very informative and on point to what would be on the actual exam.

Testing Strategy

The exam wasn't that hard. It consisted of a lot of common sense health questions. If you know the basics of nutrition, there shouldn't be an issue with passing this exam. I passed it with ease.

Strategy 17

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I borrowed a Health book from one of the local schools. I printed out the domains and looked each domain up in the health book. Next to the domains I wrote which chapter I could find them at. That helped out a lot!

Testing Strategy

The test was pretty accurate to what I studied. There were about 10 questions that I wasn't familiar with but I passed!

Strategy 18

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I took the practice test once out of the manual I printed off the ETS website and missed 2 questions.

Testing Strategy

The test was a little difficult but I felt a lot of the questions were common sense questions and what I learned taking health classes in middle school, high school, and college. I was a Criminal Justice major so I don't have a background in health. I passed with a 260.

Strategy 19

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used Certify Teacher in addition to the Mometrix Test Prep book for Health. Although the Mometrix Test Prep Book had a lot of information, I didn't find much of that information on the actual exam. Certify Teacher did help because it gave me a lot of practice questions that helped me figure out how the questions would be worded.

Testing Strategy

I thought the test was pretty difficult. Not a lot of what I studied was on the test. However, I was not a health major or science major in college- so that was probably to my disadvantage. I was really nervous after I left the test but found out two days later that I passed! Good luck!

Strategy 20

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I bought the TExES book that helped a little bit. A high school health book will also help you!

Testing Strategy

The test wasnt really hard but it is challenging. A lot of questions are either "A" or "B". Also a lot of applied questions are asked on the test. Think of a perfect teacher world. You can do it.... Especially if I passed!!!

Strategy 21

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I studied material from texas teachers website like the prep manual, and found free test question online to help give me idea of test. I purchase a exam on exam edge that really helped it was 100q.

Testing Strategy

Taking the test I recommend reading all what people wrote on this online community. It really prepared me for test. It was what I expected. The test was not as hard as expected, a lot of questions there were two answers that could be right. I would study nutrition, body systems, and std.

Strategy 22

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used a high school health book and I literally read it from cover to cover. I took notes on what I needed to study and then made note cards. I put major emphasis on body systems, nutrition and STD's.

Testing Strategy

Although I passed, the test was a disappointment because all the things I spent weeks studying were not on it. There were very few content type questions, the majority was situational questions and of those several were common sense and most were a little tricky. My suggestion would be prepared and know the content stuff ie: body systems and nutrition but also read the questions slowly and make sure you know what they are asking. I passed on the first try and even though a lot of the content was not on the test I feel prepared to start in the classroom.

Strategy 23

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

State test from website. After 30 years in health care, I got all of the practice questions right. I don't think I could have done anything differently.

Testing Strategy

This test was not at all wht I expected. It was nothing at all like the stdu manuel. It was a lot of common see items. Study community health matters, and expet the unexpected. It realy wasn't difficult, just not what I expecte.

Strategy 24

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the high school Glencoe Health textbook (there's an online PDF version) and studied for about two weeks. I have a background in health due to it being my major, but I still didn't know what to expect.

Testing Strategy

The test was mostly common sense and easier than I expected. The questions to buckle down on are the scenario questions. How would you as a teacher perform to help the student. If you just study that book, you'll easily pass. I made a 267.

Strategy 25

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I ordered flash cards online to study; I only went through about half of them. I then began studying every Quizlet Heath quiz I could find until I mastered them. Neither of these were very helpful on the exam.

Testing Strategy

The test was nothing like what I expected! Many of the questions were so vague and completely random. I remembered to keep the "perfect teaching world" in mind, but that was never an issue. I honestly left the testing center with no clue as to how I had performed. I got my results two days later and passed with a 268. My advice would be to go into it with an open mind and do your best. Good luck, you can do it!

Strategy 26

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used a Texas High School Health book, took some practice tests on the ETS website, and another free quiz. I feel like the practice test questions helped me more; it allowed me to understand the type of questions they would ask.

Testing Strategy

The test was not too hard, but not too easy. Mostly scenario based, so there is not a lot of definition. Use common sense and read the question more than once to gain a good understanding. Sometimes too many words can trick you. Put the questions in your own words.

Strategy 27

Study Strategy

I am a long-term sub, so I was advised by a health teacher to obtain a copy of the actual Texas Health textbook by Glencoe. I bought it from Half Price Books and read it along with the Mometrix guide another coworker gave me. I really didn't use the Mometrix book much, but it does cover the core content section by section. I studied a week before and passed with a 256.

Testing Strategy

If you have any working knowledge of health, you can pass. I honestly didn't think too hard about the questions. I reviewed about 5 before I clicked submit because I had never seen the information before. Overall, fairly easy test.

Strategy 28

Study Strategy

I used CertifyTeacher test prep; the questions give you an idea on how to answer questions. I found Quizlet to be very very helpful, as it focuses a lot with definitions and understanding the domains.

Testing Strategy

Mostly application questions. Make sure read for at least an hour everyday for 2 weeks before the exam to get a good knowledge base.

Strategy 29

Study Strategy

I used a High School Health book, as advised by several other posts I read, and a few notes from college.

Testing Strategy

"Health" was much broader than I expected it to be. Even as a Health Promotions major in college, I found myself asking what this question had to do with "Health". A lot of the posts I read said to study nutrition/make sure you're very knowledgeable in it, however I only had 2 nutrition questions. The majority of my test was STDs, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and drugs. I feel comfortable saying half of the material was from those content areas. I haven't gotten my results yet, but honestly my fingers are crossed. I was under prepared based off of my studying; luckily, I could make some educated guesses from prior knowledge.

Strategy 30

Study Strategy

I used a Texas High School Health book, took some practice tests on the ETS website, and another free quiz. I feel like the practice test questions helped me more; it allowed me to understand the type of questions they would ask.

Testing Strategy

The test was not too hard, but not too easy. Mostly scenario based, so there is not a lot of definition. Use common sense and read the question more than once to gain a good understanding. Sometimes too many words can trick you. Put the questions in your own words.

Strategy 31

Study Strategy

I ordered flash cards online to study; I only went through about half of them. I then began studying every Quizlet Heath quiz I could find until I mastered them. Neither of these were very helpful on the exam.

Testing Strategy

The test was nothing like what I expected! Many of the questions were so vague and completely random. I remembered to keep the "perfect teaching world" in mind, but that was never an issue. I honestly left the testing center with no clue as to how I had performed. I got my results two days later and passed with a 268. My advice would be to go into it with an open mind and do your best. Good luck, you can do it!

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