Podcast
Education Exam Prep
Hosted by Ran Chen, EA, CFP® · EN
Education Exam Prep is a free, daily podcast by OpenExamPrep covering the most in-demand teacher licensure and education certification exams — including Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessments (Math, ELA, Social Studies, Science, SLP, ESOL), ParaPro, CDA (Child Development Associate), CBEST, CSET, edTPA, FTCE, GACE, ILTS, MTEL, MTLE, MoGEA, AEPA, CEOE, CPACE, CTEL, FELE, RID/CASLI Interpreter Certifications, EIPA, and CELTA. Each 5-minute episode breaks down one exam topic with concrete classroom-style examples, scoring rubric insights, common exam traps, and memory tricks to help you pass on your first attempt. No fluff, no filler — just the concepts you need to know, explained the way the exam tests them. This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation for everyone — from paraprofessionals and early childhood educators to teacher candidates and education leaders. For free practice questions, AI-powered explanations, flashcards, and full study guides, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ Subscribe and listen daily — your teaching license is closer than you think.
52episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
CDA Exam Prep 65, Verification Visit Walkthrough — Observation, Portfolio, Reflective Dialogue
Yesterday00:03:31Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The Verification Visit consists of three key parts: a two-hour Observation, a Portfolio Review, and a one-hour Reflective Dialogue. - During the Observation, your Professional Development Specialist is looking for evidence of the CDA Competency Standards in your natural teaching practice. - Your Professional Portfolio serves as tangible proof of your competence, containing your Reflective Statements, Resource Collection, and Family Questionnaires. - The Reflective Dialogue is your chance to connect your practice (from the observation) with your documentation (in the portfolio) through open-ended questions. - A key to success is remembering the mnemonic: "Observe my skills, Peruse my proof, Reflect on my practice," to understand the flow of the visit. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 64, CDA Exam Test-Taking Strategy — Scenarios, Time, Scaled Scoring
2d ago00:03:10Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The CDA exam consists of 65 scenario-based multiple-choice questions with a 105-minute time limit. - Success depends on choosing the "best," most developmentally appropriate answer, not just a factually correct one. - Master time management by allocating roughly 90 seconds per question and using the 'flag' feature for difficult items. - A common exam trap is choosing a punitive or overly directive answer instead of one that guides child-led problem-solving. - The exam uses a scaled scoring system where a score of 70 is the target for passing, which accounts for variations in exam difficulty. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 63, The 6 Reflective Statements of Competence — Structure and Length
3d ago00:03:07Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The required word count for each of the six Reflective Statements of Competence. - A three-part structural formula for writing each statement effectively. - How to use specific, concrete examples instead of vague generalizations. - The importance of connecting your written statements to items in your Resource Collection. - A simple mnemonic, "Goal, Give, Grow," to remember the key components of a strong statement. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 62, The Resource Collection — All 17 Items Walked Through
4d ago00:03:34Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The purpose of the CDA Resource Collection as an assessment tool for the PDS verification visit. - How to correctly prepare the nine learning experiences by aligning each with a specific CDA Subject Area. - Common traps to avoid, such as failing to annotate web resources or merely printing regulations instead of summarizing them. - The critical importance of professional organization, including labeling and tabbing every one of the seventeen items. - A mnemonic ("My Family Learns And Regulates") to remember the five most substantial Resource Collection items. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 61, The CDA Professional Philosophy Statement — What Reviewers Look For
5d ago00:02:53Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - That your philosophy statement must be a 1-2 page, first-person narrative connecting your beliefs to specific classroom examples. - Why you must avoid generic statements and focus on authentic reflections from your personal practice. - How to properly connect your teaching methods to a major child development theorist like Piaget or Vygotsky. - That your statement is reviewed for clear alignment with the six core CDA Competency Standards. - A simple mnemonic, P-A-T (Personal, Actionable, Theory-linked), to help structure and evaluate your statement before submission. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 60, Ongoing Professional Development — Career Lattice and Advocacy
6d ago00:03:22Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The crucial difference between a career ladder and a career lattice in early childhood education. - Specific CDA credential renewal requirements, including the 45 clock hours of training needed every three years. - The roles of key professional organizations like NAEYC and NAFCC in your ongoing development. - Practical, exam-focused examples of what professional advocacy looks like for an ECE professional. - How to identify common exam traps related to scenarios involving career paths and professional responsibilities. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 59, Mandated Reporting — Recognizing Abuse, Procedures, Immunity
1w ago00:02:55Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - That all ECE professionals are mandated reporters, a key concept under CDA Competency Goal 1. - The legal standard for reporting is "reasonable suspicion," not "proof"; your role is to report, not to investigate. - Key indicators of abuse and neglect include unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral shifts, and poor hygiene. - The correct procedure is to document objective facts and report directly to your state's child protective services hotline. - That mandated reporters are granted legal immunity from civil or criminal liability for any report made in good faith. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 58, NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct — Core Values and Sections
1w ago00:03:33Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The core values that form the foundation of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. - The four sections of the code, outlining responsibilities to children, families, colleagues, and society. - The critical difference between aspirational Ideals and mandatory Principles to avoid common exam traps. - How to apply the code's framework to solve realistic, scenario-based exam questions. - A mnemonic, "Can Families Collaborate Socially?", to remember the order of priority in your ethical responsibilities. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 57, Confidentiality and FERPA Basics
1w ago00:03:27Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - That confidentiality is a key part of CDA Competency Standard Six, focusing on professionalism. - How FERPA applies to early childhood centers that receive federal funding and protects a family's right to privacy. - To apply the "Need to Know" principle to avoid accidentally breaching confidentiality in casual conversations. - That your legal duty as a mandated reporter to report suspected child abuse or neglect overrides patient confidentiality. - The importance of securing explicit, written consent from parents before using any photos or videos of children. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →CDA Exam Prep 56, Using Assessment Data — Individualizing and Referrals
1w ago00:03:03Tap to summarizeThis podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to use assessment data to individualize daily plans and set goals for children. - The critical first step after noticing a developmental concern is to increase targeted observation and documentation. - Why partnering with families to discuss observations is a mandatory step before any referral. - Your professional role is to observe and refer, not to diagnose a child with a specific delay or disability. - Key referral pathways like Child Find and IDEA Parts C & B are the appropriate next steps for formal screening. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
Transcribe →