TEST TAKING SKILLS

1. TEST TAKING SKILLS

2. TEST TAKING SKILLS • Read and understand all instructions before beginning the test. Look for words like ALL, ONLY, TWO OUT OF THREE • Take practice tests under the same test and time conditions • Sometimes you may have to guess. Go with your first instinct. More often than not, it is correct • If you are stumped and “all of the above” is an option, take it

3. TEST TAKING SKILLS • Never leave an answer blank • The answer to a question may be another question or an answer on the same test • If you have a question about the test, ask the teacher or proctor • On matching tests, gently cross out used

4. TEST TAKING SKILLS • Review right up to test time. Do not confuse reviewing with cramming • The best way to review for a test is to keep up with the material on a daily basis • Form a study group (with smarter people than you) • Put a ? next to the questions you do not know and come back to that question later • Use the test to take the test

5. TEST TAKING SKILLS • MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS • Read the test question and predict your answer before looking at the answers • If you do not have a clue, “all of the above” is a good guess • Identify words in the question such as not, except, false, incorrect, cannot, only…… • Cross out obviously wrong answers • One answer will be completely wrong, one answer will be wrong, one answer will be very close and one answer will be correct

6. TEST TAKING SKILLS • FILL IN THE BLANK TESTS • Ask the teacher if a word bank will be provided • If you have a word bank, gently cross out answers you have used • Spelling is likely to count—be careful • Make sure you understand the question being asked • Guess ONLY if you have to—partial credit may be given

7. TEST TAKING SKILLS • If you have to guess, take you best guess and come back to the question if you have time • Most fill in the blank answers are nouns—persons, places and things. • If the word before the blank is “a”, the answer will begin with a consonant. If the word before the blank is “an”, the answer will begin with a vowel • The length of the blank may be a clue to the number of words or the length of the answer

8. TEST TAKING SKILLS • TRUE/FALSE TESTS • True false tests are great! You have a 50-50 shot at a right answer • Absolutes such as always, all, every, only, none and never will indicate the answer is false • Words such as some, usually, seldom, probably, sometimes, mainly, often, except and rarely indicate a true answer • Write your T’s and F’s clearly • Read the entire question. DO NOT get lazy and think you know the answer

9. TEST TAKING SKILLS • ESSAY TESTS • Write short legible paragraphs. Clear and precise sentences are the way to go • Volume, quality, clarity, neatness and appearance all count • Answer the question that is being asked. Stay on topic • Always start each paragraph with a topic sentence that restates the question being asked • Look for words such as describe, list, explain or persuade.

10. TEST TAKING SKILLS • Do what is asked! • Organize your thoughts by creating a quick list of ideas you want to write about • Answer all parts of the question • Answer the high point questions first