NYSTCE By rose

I took the ATSW before my student teaching began. I felt a little at a disadvantage because that test is mostly about classroom situations and I had never taught or been in a classroom before. I believe that my Ed classes helped and it was also common sense. I would have felt a lot more at ease, though, if I had already done or was doing my student teaching.

I was also nervous about the LAST. But basically, it's a reading comprehension test. So, in other words, you don't have to be an expert in every subject. ALthough, there were quite a lot of Art questions that I found myself guessing at because I don't have the background.

I am in elementary education, by the way. Some more advise would be to try and relax. I found myself intimidated when I saw so many people taking these tests. Just try to forget that and concentrate on yourself. I also bought a Barron's study guide that I found very useful. Just have confidence in your abilities and I am sure you'll do fine. Oh, also, when I took the seminar to help prepare for taking the exams, the instructor also pointed out (in addition to NEVER taking both exams together), that you should get a few nights good sleep before and eat "brain food". Turns out, I spent the day and night before in the emergency room with my father. He's OK now, thank God, but you can imagine how frazzled I was. I definitely took the exams in not such great circumstances....but it's possible.

Good luck! Any more specific questions, write back!