1. Curriculum and Learning
Testing, Testing
1-2-3
Strategies for Taking
the State
Reading and Math Tests
Omaha Public Schools
Curriculum and Learning

2. The Night Before Testing
Go to bed on time so you are rested and ready to do your best.
Talk to your parents or teacher about any concern you have about taking the test.

3. The Morning of the Test Start the day with a good breakfast.
Dress in clothes that make you feel comfortable.
Arrive at school on time.

4. Pace Yourself
Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then move on.
Answer the easiest questions first.
Mark those that you skip on your scratch paper and go back to those questions!!

5. Getting Tired?
Roll your head, shake out your arms, wiggle your legs and feet.
Breathe! Oxygen to your brain helps you think.
Think Positive! “I can do this!” “I am going to do my best!”

6. Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
If the directions say
read…. READ! Pay close
attention to signal words
in the directions, such as
explain, interpret, and
compare.

7. Multiple Choice Questions
Read the directions carefully.
Read the question and all answer choices before marking anything.

8. “UNPACK” the Question! Underline key words Number the parts of the ?
Plan how you will answer
Answer using specific details
Check off each part as you do it
Keep up the great work

9. Key Words
Find key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.
Watch for key words (always, sometimes, never, except, probably). They can change the meaning of the question.

10. Are We Communicating?
Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
Be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked.
Highlight or underline , the details in the questions. This helps you focus on exactly what the question is asking you to do.

11. My Prediction is….. Predict what the answer is BEFORE
you read the choices.

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

13. Wrong or Right? 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!
Choose the BEST OVERALL answer when more than one choice seems correct.

15. Plug it in, Plug it in! Once you have chosen your answer,
plug it in and make sure that it makes
sense! (This works great with
vocabulary questions.)

16. My Answer is…..
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.

17. Skip, Return, Check
If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions.
Yes, that means really go back and check your work!

18. Reading Test
If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read,
Read the questions first if time allows!
By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.

19. Reading Test 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.

20. Pick out KEY WORDS…
SKIMMING: Read pieces of the text: dates, names, and places; review graphs, tables, and charts. A quick check of text.
SCANNNING: Find a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases to help you answer a question.
HIGHLIGHT or UNDERLINE when you read to save time later.

21. Tough Vocabulary
Use context clues- look at the other words in the sentence to help you know the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Look at parts of words and work from what you DO know.

22. Math Computation
Use scratch paper on the math test to figure out the problem before answering.
Grades 4 – 6: Use the reference sheet with the formulas.

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

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

25. Be Smart With Charts & Zap the Graphs!
Charts and Graphs provide information
that you can use to answer questions!
Analyze ALL information provided
before answering the questions!

26. A Matter of Time Remember: Your first guess is usually right.
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.

27. Keep On, Keeping On! If you get to a couple of questions
that you just don’t
know, don’t give up!
Keep trying your
best!

28. If you SNOOZE, You will LOSE!
Don’t leave a question
unanswered. You will
not have ANY chance
of getting it right.

29. Check It Out! When you have completed the test, go back and check
your work!

31. Resources Nebraska Department of Education
PPT Test Taking Strategies – Greece Central School District greece.k12.ny.uswww.greece.k12.ny.us/files/filesystem/Test-Taking%20Strategies.ppt
Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests. 'Twas the Night Before Testing ... Mark those that you skip on the test book and go back to those questions! ...