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Countdown to TAKS

This guide provides helpful strategies for students to improve their test taking skills for the TAKS exam. It includes tips on marking out choices, reading questions carefully, eliminating options, and more.

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Countdown to TAKS

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  1. Countdown to TAKS Presented by: Region 10 Edited by: Barbara Myer, A

  2. TAKS Test Taking Strategiesfor Students Tip #1: • Not sure about an answer? Try to mark out choices that don’t make sense, you may need to devote more time to the question--mark and skip it so you can return to it later. Tip #2: • Don't read things into questions. Sometimes we make things more complex than they were intended to be. • Often, simple-looking questions are just what they appear to be.

  3. TAKS Test Taking Strategies Tip #3: • Finished so soon? If time allows, review your test. • Make sure that answers have been recorded correctly. • Unsure of some answers? Go back and reconsider them.

  4. During the Test • Use all of the time allotted for the test • If you have extra time, cover up your answers and actually rework the questions. • Don’t change answers unless you are sure!!

  5. TAKS Test Taking Strategies Tip #4: • Read the stem of each question, anticipate the answer if you can before looking at options. • If the answer you anticipated is among the options, it is likely the correct one. • Read each question completely. Continue reading even if you find your anticipated answer among the options. • The “best” answer may appear farther down the list, and may differ slightly from your anticipated answer.

  6. TAKS Test Taking Strategies Tip #5: • Quickly eliminate options that are highly implausible. • Many TAKS questions have two – three plausible options, look for the least likely answer. • Work at spotting these implausible options so that you can quickly narrow your choices. • Be alert! Information relevant to one question is sometimes given away in another test item.

  7. During the Test Tip #6: • Do a mind dump. • Before you begin the test make notes of anything you think you might forget. • Write down things that you used in learning the material that might help you remember. • Write your notes in the margins, front or back of the test booklet.

  8. During the Test Tip #7: • Jot down some ideas about why you chose the answer • Jot down questions you have if the question does not seem clear, or if the answer seems ambiguous. • Reason with yourself through writing. • Try working on this with students so they get the hang of it… .

  9. During the Test • Express difficult questions in your own words • Rephrasing can make it clear to you, but be sure you don't change the meaning of the question. • Discuss difficult vocabulary with students and work on synonyms for problem words

  10. During the Test Tip #8: • Circle key words in difficult questions • This will force you to focus on the central point. • Try an example of this. • This is especially important for English Language Learners! .

  11. TAKS 2004

  12. What key words did you identify? What will I do with this info?

  13. DO NOT PANIC! Do not focus on the “info” you do not recognize. Focus only on what you do know. Focus on the information you have been given to help you answer the item. What are the key words? What is the question asking? Eliminate the answers that do not apply. Tip #9: How to handle questions that have info you have never seen Huh?!?!

  14. Try working with what you do know in this example. Use common sense. Identify Key Words? What do you think we can eliminate? What would be your best guess? Why?

  15. How to handle questions that have info you have never seen

  16. TAKS Advice: Excerpts • Read the question 1st • You may not even need to read the excerpt provided • Question is: What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

  17. TAKS Advice: Excerpts • Use your knowledge of the key details to guide you to the correct answer • Choose the best answer based on your knowledge of the time, place, person instead of your ability to read the document

  18. TAKS Advice: Excerpts When the answer is directly related to the excerpt, use the 5Ws: • Who? Horace Mann • What? Education • Where? U.S. • When? 1848 • Why? Equality

  19. Tips for Fact-Based/Inference Questions with No Data Source • Reading and understanding are essential • Utilize the key word and rephrasing methods discussed in “strategies” • Draw yourself a diagram or an organizer if necessary to identify the information requested in the question • Figure out what you do know

  20. Example I know: U.S. was destined to reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean = more territory = more land to settle Might be interested in expanding market, but… Slaves cannot own land Will be removed, probably not a believer! Has the most to gain!! I’m looking for someone who would be the strongest supporter of expanding the U.S. See above. Answer is J. I need:

  21. Example I know: Topic = Voting Rights Literacy Tests = limited rights granted in the 15th amendment Another limit – what was the right granted? Timeline – too early Make connections – stem to answer choices

  22. Graphic Organizers: Relational What is in common? -All leaders -All African American -Civil Rights Era

  23. Graphic Organizers: Relational CCC TVA FDR FDR FDR WPA FDR What common bond do these share? All are New Deal Programs LBJ FDR Teddy

  24. Analyzing Cartoons & Images • Statewide data shows that students performed well* on items with graphic images, especially photos • Statewide data shows that students performed well* on items that use flow charts • Statewide data shows that students do not perform aswell* on items that use artist representations and/or original drawings * Well = > 80 of students answered correctly

  25. Example Student Answers - F: 27% G: 5% H: 14% J: 54%*

  26. Tips for Analyzing Cartoons • What event/time period is being referenced? • Are there people in the cartoon? Who do they portray and in what context? • Are there symbols in the cartoon? What does each represent? • What is the message?

  27. NJ Plan makes small states happy  Event/Time: Constitutional Convention, 1787 People: None, but the capitals in NJ & VA are speaking (like people) Symbols: The capitals represent state leadership Message: Small states are feeling bullied by the larger state who is flaunting her size Great Compromise All are happy! VA plan makes larger states happy  What was the argument over?

  28. THE END GOOD LUCK

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