Test-Taking Strategies

1. Test-Taking Strategies

2. Put a few number 2 pencils with erasers in your backpack. ‘Twas the Night Before Testing • Go to bed on time. • Solve family/friend problems before the testing date. • Talk to your parents about any concerns that you might have about the test.

3. The Morning of Testing • Start your day as you always do. • Eat a good breakfast. • Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school. • Think Positive!

5. Reading Passages • If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read, read the questions first. • By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.

6. Reading Passages • When there are several questions about a reading passage or chart, look for clues in other questions that will help you with those items about which you are unsure.

7. Types of Questions • There are three basic types of questions given on SAT and ARMT tests. They are: • Right There Questions-Theanswer is in the text and usually easy to find. • Think and Search Questions-The answer is in the text, but you need to put together different parts to find it. • Author and Me Questions- The answer is not in the story. You need to think about what you already know, what the author tells you in the text and how it fits together.

8. Right There Questions Fact Questions Skim for key words, dates, locations Example: Christopher Columbus landed in America on………. Vocabulary/Word Meaning Questions Look for synonyms, antonyms, definition clues, etc. Example: The article says that ”although the road was treacherous, there were no accidents.” Treacherous means about the same as…….. Explanation Questions Look for signal words like because, reasons for, when, as a result of, causes of, etc. Example: According to the article frostbite occurs when you are out in sub-degree weather for a long period of time. Maps, Graphs and other text visuals questions: Look at graphs, pictures, charts, maps and captions. They are clues to answers . Example: According to the graph, which state has the highest population?

9. Think and Search Questions Putting it Together Questions Example: How are the characters alike? You can tell from the story that his occupation was probably a ……….. Sequence Questions Example: Which of the following would come last in chronological order; 1888, 1776, 2007, 1597? Explanation Questions: Look for signal words like because, reason for, when, as a result of, causes of, etc. Example: What are some of the causes of pollution today? Cause/Effect Questions: Example: We have had an unusually dry season this past year. Because of this, what is the effect? Topic/Main Idea Questions: Think about the overall meaning of the story/article. Example: Another good title for the article might be……

10. Author and Me Questions Inferences About Characters/Events Questions Examples: Which details help you infer the real reason for the British invasion? How is an archaeologist like a detective? Drawing Conclusions About Characters/Events Questions Examples: What conclusion best sums up this article? From this article, which statement is probably true about the election process? Questions About Theme Examples: From this article we can learn…….. The author probably wants us to understand that…………… Questions About Author’s Purpose Example: The author wrote this article to………. Questions About Author’s Craft Example: The author probably repeated the phrase “and the violent wind howled” to make you feel……… Questions That Ask the Reader to Evaluate or Make a Judgment Example: We can tell this story is true because……………

11. Tips for Multiple Choice Questions Regulate- Pace yourself. Do not spend too much time on any one question. Plan to go back to a confusing question if you have time. Indicate-Mark your answers carefully on your answer sheet. Make certain your answers line up and you have not skipped any . Formulate- As you read the question, think of the answer you might give if you didn’t have any choices. If you find your answer among the choices, it is likely to be the correct answer. Complicate-Watch for words and phrases such as always, never, only, all of the above, and not true because they can be confusing. Eliminate-When you are not sure of an answer, rule out silly or wrong answers and guess among the ones that are left. Evaluate- When you are finished, go back and check your work for accuracy, review questions you were unsure of and make sure all questions have been answered.

12. I know C isn’t the answer! The Process of Elimination • After you have been through all of the questions once, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect.

13. The Process of Elimination • If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

14. Answering Questions • Don't guess blindly, but if you have time to think about the best answer choice, make it!

15. Skip, Return, Check • If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions.

16. Pace Yourself • Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then move on. • Answer the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped.

17. Locate Specific Details Skim quickly over parts to see what the selection is about* *title *author *introduction *illustrations *captions *key words *conclusion Scan the question for a key word or phrase Scan the selection until you find that key word or phrase Stop and read closely, looking for the answer to the question

18. Sequencing Events in a selection or story will usually appear in sequential order. Look for signal words like first, next,then, before, after, andfinally. Follow any dates in the reading selection that tell you the chronological order in which events happened.

19. Use Context Clues • Use context clues to figure out the meaning of an unknown word by looking at the words (clues) around it. • Use the hints in the text to help you figure out an unknown word

20. Are we communicating? • Make sure you understand what the question is asking. • Be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked.

21. Math Computation • When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that you have copied the problem correctly from the test booklet!

22. Math Computation • Line up place value correctly on your scratch paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the answer will be incorrect.

23. Math Computation • If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.

24. A Matter of Time • If any time remains, spend it on those questions about which you know nothing or almost nothing. • As you go back through, do not change all answers. • Remember: Your first guess is usually right.

25. It’s About Time • Don’t spend too much time rewriting or obsessing about neatness. • Don’t worry if you run out of time.

26. Final Tips • Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks. • Double-check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you haven’t gotten on the wrong number.

27. The Death Grip • If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil. • Relax the grip and give those muscles a break. • Do not do arm exercises during testing as this disturbs others.

28. REMEMBER……. • It's okay not to know everything— unlike class tests, these tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge at a grade level above your current grade. • BUT…. be sure to do your best work and use the strategies you have learned to help you figure out the answers. SAT/ARMT tests are a reflection on YOU and your academic ability! The test results WILL help determine the classes you are assigned next year.