The Linear Algebra Problem Solver (Rea's Problem Solvers)

Rating:
Summary: CSET Mathematics Test Takers...Hear Ye, Hear Ye...
Review: If you are one of a handful of people who are attempting to pass the CSET Single Subject Mathematics Test, listen up. First, I have passed the CSET Math Section II exam. I am in the process of trying to pass the CSET Math Section I exam. While I still need to take it again, I now know the secret because the only difference between my first try on section I and second try was an 8 page section of the Linear Algebra Problem Solver book. My score went up 20 points and I KNOW the book is the reason. Now, I am trying to track down the problems from the REA Pre-Calculus Problem Solver book having to do with growth rates and logarithms..this will undoubtedly put me 'over the top'. These books work and I am now 100% sure that the exam writers are a subset of authors who helped put the problem solvers together. Here is how to use them if you did not pass the exam on the first try:
1) Look through them and pinpoint the questions that look familar to you from your first (or second) experiences taking the exam.
2) Know the 3-4 questions from these books (cold)which are almost exactly the same as the exam questions. In my case, this comes from a mere 8 page section found on ppg. 481-488 of the REA Linear Algebra Problem Solver text.
3) Supplement this with information from www.purplemath.com and download all 40 pages or so of the math listed there.
4) Finally, know the example section from the CSET site COLD, particularly the essay section. Take the Field theory answer and turn it into a matrix so that you can formulate an answer quickly on the actual exam.

I was able to pull off section II of the CSET and had a vague idea of what I was doing at the time. Now that I have had time to review my own process and recall the questions, I am sure there is a method to my madness. I should also like to add that I am a Multiple Subject Credential candidate and passed these subtests (along with the RICA) without any problems and so consider myself quite an accomplised CSET test taker...Good Luck. Sean Wayne Stevens