Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

1. Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

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!

4. Multiple Choice Questions • If you do not understand the directions, ask for help. • Read the question and all answer choices before marking anything.

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

6. Multiple Choice Questions • Do not change your answers unless you are very uncertain about your first answer choice. • Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can.

7. 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.

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

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

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

11. Key Words • Find key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Math Computation ►Brush up on your math word problems ►Know your formulas ►Know your math symbols ►Know when and how to approximate by using a process of elimination. ►Reduce and simplify prior to calculating ►Do use scratch paper and draw out visual representation when you can.

16. 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!

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

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

19. Tricks and Traps • Don’t get lured into a charming answer – it is important to read the entire question because test makers like to trick you with (A) – as a likely answer when there may be one that is more appropriate to the question.

20. Tricks and Traps • EXAMPLE: What is the amount of an American coin that is greater in value than a nickel ($.05) ? (A) $.06 (B) $.07 (C) $.08 (D) $.09 (E) $.10

21. Tricks and Traps • The answer is (E), but it is easy to get tricked by (A) if you do not read the entire piece and pay close attention to what the question is asking.

22. More Tricks and Traps • Don’t leave answers blank on the answer sheet – solidly and clearly fill in all blanks in the end – even if you are guessing. • If you have unanswered questions in the end that you will have to guess on – make educated guesses by using a process of elimination – mark out answers that are obviously wrong and narrow your guessing field. • Usually you are told when you have about 10 minutes left – this is the time to go over your answer sheet and make sure ALL ANSWERS are filled in to the BEST of your ability.

23. 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.

24. It’s About Time • Take your time!! You will have plenty of time to finish the test • CHECK YOUR ANSWERS!! • REREAD • RECALCULATE

25. 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.

26. Before the Test • Get a good night’s rest prior to the test day and eat a healthy breakfast or lunch on the day of the exam (don’t overeat!)

27. When You Begin • Take a deep breath to relax. Anxiety may reduce your confidence and be an obstacle to doing your best. • Preview the whole test briefly before you begin (if allowed). This will help get you warmed up to take the test and allow you to note the way the test is organized.

28. During the Test • ALWAYS read the directions before you work on a section. Circle key words of importance such as compare, contrast, similar, and different. Failing to read directions can cause you to completely misjudge what the test is asking. • Ask your instructor to explain directions you don’t understand. • Divide and conquer! Answer the easy questions first to build confidence. This will also allow you to rack up as many points as possible right from the start. However, always be sure to mark the questions you don’t answer right away so you can go back to them.

29. During the Test • Pace yourself. Check your watch from time to time to make sure you’re pacing yourself appropriately. • When in doubt, make an educated guess. You at least have a chance that you might guess correctly. • Don’t let others distract you. Focus only on your own test. If others are writing and you aren’t, don’t panic. If others finish before you do, try not to get nervous.

30. During the Test • Use any extra time to first make sure you’ve answered all the questions. Then, go over the more difficult questions and read them a second time. Read essays carefully for accuracy first and grammar second. • Don’t change your initial answer unless you have a good reason to do so; research indicates that 3 out of 4 times a first choice was probably correct.

31. 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.

32. Important TIP • HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: It is imperative that you wake up the morning of the test with a positive attitude. It doesn’t have to be “you love taking tests,” but it does need to be “I can do well on this test.”

33. Thank you, Mr. Know-it-all! • 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.

34. Good Luck!! • DO YOUR BEST • STAY POSITIVE • BE CONFIDENT