Preparing for Tests

1. Preparing for Tests Information from Super Study Skills by Laurie Rozakis, PhD, Scholastic 2002.

2. Test Success Starts With: • Knowing the test format • Finding out the test content • Getting clarification • Studying with others • Reviewing previous tests • Taking good notes • Use any review sessions to your advantage

3. A Study Plan

4. More Preparation Suggestions • Get ready the night before • Get a good night’s sleep • Eat breakfast—not too heavy or sugary • Wear comfortable clothes • Physical exercise can wake you up • Leave early so you won’t be late • Remind yourself you have studied and do the best you can!

5. Test Checklist • Check the board for any further instructions • Read the test directions thoroughly • Write your name and other important info • Check for extra test requirements • Spend the most time on the sections that count the most • Budget your time

6. Words of • Read through the questions carefully • Don’t waste time figuring out patterns • Go with the obvious/logical answer • Find out if guessing is okay • Proofread your answers

7. Some questions will be more difficult than others • Don’t worry if others finish before you • Got stuck? • Brain blurp? • Time’s up?

8. After the Test (no A? it’s okay…) • What was your biggest problem area? • Did you run out of time? • Misread questions? • Study the wrong material? • Not study enough? • Can you prove the answer is correct?

9. Studying for Specific Tests: T/F • Watch for absolute words • always, all, all the time, constantly, everyone, never, none, not at all, no one Sample: • A sentence fragment is never acceptable in writing. • Water always freezes at 32 Fahrenheit. (both are false)

10. More True/False • All parts of the sentence must be true • Example: Cows that only graze in open pastures and receive personal grooming produce the milk highest in butterfat content. (false—the “only” was the cautionary absolute that nullified the statement)

11. Another T/F sample • Watch for false logic. Two sentences can be true but the connecting word can render the statement false. • and, but because, since, for, nor, or yet, on account of, still, further, due to Sample: President Lincoln is famous because he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. (Answer: False—while both parts are true, there is more to Lincoln’s fame than the Booth assassination)

12. Multiple-Choice Questions • Watch out for the words not, except, best Sample: Which is not a source in which you would find about the speed of light? • science textbook • encyclopedia • travel brochure • educational Web site (Answer is “C”. Travel brochures give information about places to visit, not scientific facts.

13. Matching Test Questions • Read the answer list • Mark off answers as they are used Sample: _____1. desert a. very flat land _____2. hill b. a building or statue expressing honor _____3. island c. a drawing of a place _____4. monument d. A dry place with little rain _____5. mountain e. land surrounded by water on three sides _____6. ocean f. land that rises above the land around it _____7. peninsula g. Low land between hills or mountains _____8. plain h. Land completely surrounded by water _____9. valley i. a very large body of salt water _____10.map j. the highest kind of land (1.d, 2.f, 3.h, 4.b, 5.j, 6.i, 7.e, 8.a, 9.g, 10. c)

14. Fill-in-the-blank • Insert a possible choice in the blank and eliminate what doesn’t make sense Sample: A _________ is a person who leaves their country to live in a different land. • suburb b. settler c. state d. leader (Answer: B. A suburb and state are not a person. That leaves settler or leader. A leader can come from another country, but that is not the primary definition for leader. Settler is the best choice)

15. Checkpoints • Check carefully for spelling in the answer. • Check capitalization—it can make a difference. • Check the grammar status. • Recheck your answer so that it makes sense.

16. Tips for Math Tests • Try to estimate the answer. • Draw out the answer. • Rephrase the word problems. • Use the expected format. • Show all your work. • Check your answers. • Use common sense.

17. Standardized TestsThese tests have some significant differences from other tests. • Questions are often arranged from the easiest to the most difficult. Budget your time. • You may or may not know the material. • Bring what you need, and then some.

18. Essay Tests • First, read all the directions. • Who is your audience? • What is the purpose of the prompt? • How long should the essay be? • How much time do you have to write?

19. Essay helps • Write down the key words to prompt. Prompt: Summarize the key events in the French Revolution. Key words: summarize (short account), key events (those that had strong influence), French Revolution (particular time period)

20. More essay helps • Determine the response. Look for clue words: recall, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, classify, determine, explain, support, assess, describe. Sample prompt: • Are computers being overemphasized in our school? Explain your answer. • Describe your favorite literary character. Use support from a book featuring this character. • Analyze the events leading up to the 1930s Depression. Determine which event contributed most to creating the Depression, and then support your thesis with specific historical references.

21. The Writing Process for Essay Tests • There are three main steps: • Planning • Drafting • Revising

22. Final Essay Checklist • Focus • Content • Organization • Style • Mechanics