Study Tips for the New York
The Physics CST
To register for the New York State Content Specialty Test (CST) in physics, see the New York State Teacher Certification Exam (NYSCTE) homepage. http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/
Once you have registered, you might want to download a copy of the rather terse NYSCTE preparation guide for the physics CST. http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/PDFs/NY_fld009_prepguide.pdf
The preparation guide is best used as an introduction to the test format and question type as well as a summary of topics that will be tested. The sample questions given tend to be easier than actual test questions but give a good idea of the type of questions that will be asked.
As the preparation guide explains, the Physics CST tests material from 6 subareas:
Subarea I: Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
Subarea II: Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Subarea III: Electricity and Magnetism
Subarea IV: Waves, Sound, and Light
Subarea V: Quantum Theory and the Atom
Subarea VI: Foundations of Scientific Inquiry: Constructed-Response Assignment
The first 5 subareas are covered by 90 multiple choice questions, and the last subarea differs only from the first in that it is tested by a constructed-response assignment (basically an essay with a few diagrams) rather than through multiple choice questions.
The NYSCTE preparation guide breaks down the Physics CST in the following manner:
Since the Constructed Response subarea represents 10% of a
total test score, the other 90% of the test score comes from the 90 multiple
choice questions. This means that the percentages noted above roughly denote
the number of questions you will see in each category. For example, you may
expect 23 multiple choice questions on Mechanics and Thermodynamics and only 16
from Electricity and Magnetism.
Other Tests
One of the best ways to prepare for the exam is to take similar sample tests to identify areas of weakness. Since there are no available copies of previous physics CST’s, other tests, though of different levels of difficulty, can be very useful in deciding where to spend your study time. Three main tests work nicely: the NYS Regents High School Examination, The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Physics B examination, and American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Physicsbowl test. The Regents and Physicsbowl tests tend to be easier than the Physics CST, while the AP Physics B exam is more difficult.
The NYS Regents examinations are easy to obtain, and several for past years can be found at: http://nysedregents.org/testing/scire/regentphys.html
The AP B physics test is more difficult than the Physics CST but provides good practice with challenging questions- if you can do well on the AP B test you will do well on the CST. After registering (for free) at the AP Central website http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.com/ you can download an outline of the course and test questions (including sample responses for the free-response questions) from years past by following the links to Physics B or by clicking on the following link: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/members/article/1,3046,152-171-0-2007,00.html#name02
Several years worth of the AAPT Physicsbowl tests are located at: http://www.compadre.org/psrc/evals/physicsbowl.cfm
Study Methods
Once you have identified your areas of weakness using the tests above, there are any number of ways to go about studying for the Physics CST.
Professors
One way to correct mistakes that you made on the diagnostic tests above is to talk a physics professor or teacher into walking you through each question you answered incorrectly. Though time consuming and demanding of the professor, there is no better way to bring your knowledge of the area up to snuff and re-familiarize yourself with the physics jargon of a particular topic.
Videos
A set of movie clips produced by The Annenberg Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) called The Mechanical Universe is quite useful for conceptual reviews of material. There is a set of 52 videos on a wide range of topics, many of which appear on the Physics CST. Free registration is required to use the site, and a high speed internet connection is recommended. http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html
Online Resources
Wiley Webliography
Dan-
I’m not sure what you
want here, haven’t used this.
American Physical Society Website
You also scribbled
something about the APS website, what do you want me to say about it?
Textbooks
As most of you may remember from college, introductory-level physics textbooks tend to be quite dull and do not make for pleasurable reading. Nevertheless, they serve as excellent resources for reviewing both concepts and quantitative problem solving. In general, an algebra-based textbook will not go quite far enough in preparing you for the CST, and a calculus-based text will go into unnecessary depth. It has been observed that the use of a calculus-based text is preferable, though we recommend that you not obsess with learning everything in the text for you will be over-prepared for the Physics CST. Many good textbooks exist, though certainly not comprehensive a partial list appears below:
Knight
Others?
Dan-Can you give me
Knight’s textbook to reference? Any others you want up here are fine too, just
send them my way.
A Final Note
The final study method is directed toward a specific topic on the Physics CST: Foundations of Scientific Inquiry. While some questions of this type on the Physics CST can be answered using common sense and logical reasoning, there is no substitute for a thorough knowledge of the history of physical science. Several relatively light texts which help toward an oversight of this history are:
Gamow, G. (). The
great physicists from galileo to einstein.
- A discussion of notable physicists and their impacts on the field. Written by s readable Nobel Laureate.
Gonick, L., & Huffman, A. (1990). The cartoon guide to physics.
- A quick and easy read covering many of the historical developments of physics as well as explaining some common theories.
Holden, A. ().The
nature of solids.
- A concise look at the nature of solids. Easy to read, well-grounded and accurate.
Shamos, M. H. (Ed.), (1959). Great experiments in physics.
- A chronicle of 25 experiments that created modern physics.