Topics & Categories for the West
E/NES
As far as the topics and categories
go for the West E and the NES test, they are both relatively similar. Both test’s sections can be found on each of
the main websites—www.west.nesinc.com and www.nestest.com. The West E is split up into four different
sections: 1) Reading Process and Comprehension, 2) Literature and Language, 3)
Writing Process and Applications, and 4) Oral and Visual Communication. The NES, on the other hand, has five
different sections of questions: 1) Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, and
Reading Various Text Forms, 2) Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, 3) English
Language Conventions, Composition, Writing Process, and Research, 4) Modes of
Writing, and 5) Oral and Visual Communication.
While they both are a format of multiple choice and 150 questions, the
NES is going to be a little more in depth with its questions, than the West
E. For instance, a sample question from
the West E on the section of Reading Comprehension would be: “Which of the
following reading skills is most commonly associated with phonological
awareness?” (WestE.com). The NES is
going to have questions that gear not only toward reading comprehension, but
also vocabulary—“Which of the following pairs of words acquired new,
specialized meanings due to the influence of the field of psychology?”
(NEStest.com). All of the sections and
sample questions can be found on the websites.
My observation into the different
sections of the tests has given me a little comfort. I feel more able to adequately understand and
study for the upcoming test that I will take.
I think based on the organization and careful creation of the NES is
going to make it a greater assessment of the ability and knowledge of future
teachers. The NES test will cover more
topics and narrow its focus based on the standards set for teachers. Each question is laid out with a standard
that the question meets. I agree that
both assess the teacher, but new assessments need to be made in order to keep
up with the expectations of teachers and for the benefit of students. This research helped me understand more of
what I will be tested on and graded on.
As a future teacher, knowing whether or not I am capable of teaching
will greatly benefit my students. It
will also tell me areas that I need to work on regardless if I pass.
This research is applicable to my
students in that it is helping me to prepare myself to be the best teacher for
them. It also shows them that they are
not the only ones who are tested on to see how much they comprehend in certain
fields. I also think that showing how
test change and assess better allows them to understand the varying test styles
and changes that are made from me.
Works Cited
"Explore
the NES®." National Evaluation Series. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr.
2014.
"Washington
Educator Skills Tests Home Page." Washington Educator Skills Tests Home Page. N.p., n.d.
Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
