Ready for RICA: A Test Preparation Guide for California's Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (2nd Edition)

This book teaches you pretty much everything you need to know about the RICA. From examples to a detailed description of the format of the test, it certainly helped me feel very prepared. The only thing to watch out for is that the questions in the book are easier than those on the RICA (for the most part). So, I would suggest using it along with the practice test you can download from the RICA website. Between the two you should be more than sufficiently prepared.

Of the 4 books I purchased for RICA, this one is the one that best mirrors the actual exam (just took it). The questions are concise and constructed well. The case studies and essay questions are very close to those on the test as well.

Don't waste your time on the XAM book. It's awful. Get this one and the book called "Case Studies in Preparation for RICA" by Rossi. The Cliff Test Prep is ok, but if you're choosing carefully, this is the one to get.

Good luck!

I took a class that had chapters from this book for some of the assigned reading. Other than practicing a case study, we did little more with it. When I took the RICA, without any additional studying, I passed it the first time. I have a friend whom I consider genius who is on his third attempt. I told him about this book (I'd loaned it to another friend already) and this time he passed it.
Pay particular attention to the "case study" preparation section. It's invaluable for the test!

I thought this book was a GREAT way to review for the RICA. I am sad to say that I think I learned more about teaching reading from this thin review text book than I did throughout my whole teacher education program (I won't say which University I am at!)!

To get the most use out of this book here is what you should do. Set up a grid like the one I am going to try and explain to you how to make (see below) and then fill it out as you read. This book totally saved me and I passed the RICA and did very well on it (I got 4 pluses on the first two domains, and the case studies, and 3 pluses on the 3rd and 4th domains).


GRID MAKING DIRECTIONS:

1) Your grid will have three columns and twelve rows.
2) The first row will be labeled like so (I will show each cell in between lines like this |xxxx|xxxxx|xxxx|):

Area | How to teach it | How to test it

3) The different "areas" are listed below. Put each area name in a different row.

- Phonemic Awareness (PH)
- Concepts About Print (CAP)
- Phonics and Word Identification (PHON & WRD)
- Spelling (SPL)
- Comprehension (COMP)
- Literary Response (LIT RESP)
- Content Area Literacty (CONT LIT)
- Independent Reading (IND RDG)
- Writing (WR)
- Vocabulary (VOCAB)
- Structure of English (STRUC ENG)

4) Now your grid will have each area listed but how to teach that area and how to test that area are blank. As you read the book fill in those two blank spots for each area and you will be all set.


TRUST ME. THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR THE RICA. AND NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO SPECIALLY USE THIS BOOK TO STUDY FOR IT YOU ARE ALL SET! GOOD LUCK!!

I just took the RICA exam and used this book as well as course material to prepare for the exam. I found "Ready for RICA" lacking in its depth and context. It provides a consice overview of the content areas but lacks in its review of strategies. I also noticed it focused too much on elementary compentency and not enough on higher grades or ELD.
I don't know if I passed the RICA yet, but I did not feel this book prepared me enough for the actual exam.