Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I bought this book because I was really scared about the Praxis II Chemistry test (0245) and thought that this book from the test makers will help alleviate my anxiety. I was wrong. It didn't help me at all. It was not worth the money and I would really like a refund. :-( Since I only took the Praxis II Chemistry, I can't really help with the other test but I would like to help you with Chemistry 0245 so that you wouldn't have to waste money on this book too! The main pro for the book is that it provides information about the test that you would not otherwise know. But if you want to buy this book for that reason alone, save your money. I will tell you. *** It gives you the "Answer Sheet" that you will see on the test. Nothing out of the ordinary, you must provide name, candidate id (that is on your admission ticket which you can bring with you), birthday, social security, and test form codes which you will get from your proctor. There is also a certification statement that you need to write, sign and date. It reads, "I hereby agree to the condition set forth in the Registration Bulletin and certify that I am the person whose name and address appear on this answer sheet." That is it. *** It gives you the "Periodic Table" that you will see on the exam. It is a standard periodic table with Hydrogen over Lithium if that is a quirk for anybody. :-D The only thing to note is that the the names of the elements are NOT provided on the exam only the symbol. *** It gives you the same "Table of Information" provided on the exam. I understand the urge to know what is provided because I had the same urge. I provide it for you now. The information provided is the electron, proton, and neutron rest mass, magnitude of the electron charge, Bohr radius, Avogadro's number, Universal gas constant (in atm and joules), Boltzmann constant, Planck constant, speed of light, Vacuum permittivity and permeability, Coulomb constant, universal gravitational constant, acceleration due to gravity, 1 atmosphere pressure, Faraday constant, 1 atomic mass unit, 1 electron volt, Heat of fusion, vaporization and mean specific heat for H2O, and Volume of 1 mole of ideal gas at 0 degree C, 1 atmosphere (which is 22.4 liters). NO FORMULAS are provided, but from my experience, it seems only the simple, basic formulas such as ideal gas law is needed. *** Lastly, it provides 75 sample questions for the exam. Now, I personally found these questions to be easier than the questions on the actual exam. When I took the exam, simple questions such as which of the following formula represent a ketone was not on the exam but is a "sample question" in the book. My advise is to go to any AP Chemistry, your textbook, or SAT Chemistry book and use those questions. AVOID questions that involve lengthy calculations. My exam did not contain a single one (it makes sense because you can NOT use a calculator). Practice balancing equations and understand pH and pKa (my personal advice to you, take it or leave it). Conceptual things are more likely to be asked. Now, of the 19 chapters in the book, only chapter 4, 11 and 12 relate to chemistry. Chapter 4 is an outline very similar to the .pdf file provided for free on the ets website. ([...]) It is an outline of the topics that could be covered on the test. However, the book does elaborate on it (a little). I did not find it very helpful, because it is very broad. Look at a chapter outline of any general chemistry textbook and you will see the same outline provided here. Chapter 11 is the sample test and 12 is the solutions. Chapter 8 sort of relates to the test because it attempts to help you learn to take multiple choice test with suggestions such as, there is no penalty for guessing and it is OK to write in your test booklet. The same suggestion in any prep guide. Chapter 19 is an useless chapter. It provides "last minute tips" to the test takers such as "be well rested." :-/ And that is it. This is the information that I would have liked to know about the test without having to buy the book. But it is too late for me, so I hoped I have helped you. Good Luck.