1. Test Taking

2. Throughout your time in high school and college you will take many different tests Classroom quizzes and tests Semester finals End of Course (EOC) Exams RIA (English and Math Interim Assessments) PARCC/SBA (State Based Testing) AP Exams (Optional exam to try to earn college credit for taking an AP course) ACT/SAT (College entrance exams)

3. Knowing how to take a test can help you accurately demonstrate your knowledge and improve your scores

4. Before the Test

5. One of the biggest reasons students do not do well on tests is lack of preparation Preparation can come in many forms: Attend class regularly Participate in discussions Ask questions to clarify information that you don’t understand Take notes Do the homework Re-read your notes Read the textbook Study the material Use online resources like Quizlet.com or StudyBlue.com to help you study

6. Before the Test Get a good night’s sleep Sleep helps us think more clearly and creatively Strengthens memory Produces a more positive mood and better performance throughout the day Eat a healthy breakfast Breakfast provides you with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration Wear a watch to help you with timing Taking a timed test and not knowing what time it is can cause test anxiety Wear a watch and keep your own time to help stay on track Get to the classroom/testing room early Take a minute to relax and reduce your anxiety Maintain a positive attitude (You can do this!)

7. During the Test

8. Use the DETER Method D - Directions E - Examine T - Time E - Easiest R - Review http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies-16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad- 4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6

9. D - Directions Listen to any instructions your teacher provides as he/she is handing out the test Read the written test directions very carefully Ask your teacher to explain the directions you do not understand Only by following the directions can you achieve a good score on the test Adapted from: http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6

10. E - Examine Examine the entire test to see how much you have to do If there are essays, look at how many are required Look for point values of questions Check to see if there are questions on the back of the page Only by knowing the entire task can you break it down into parts that become manageable for you Adapted from: http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6

11. T - Time Once you have examined the entire test, decide how much time you will spend on each item Know your strengths and weaknesses If there are reading passages and you struggle with reading comprehension, make sure you allot enough time for that portion of the test Planning your time will help you avoid spending so much time on one item that you have little time left for other test items http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies-16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad- 4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6

12. E - Easiest Answer the items you find easiest first If you don’t know the answer, put a ✓ next to it so you can easily go back to it later If you are taking a test with a scantron, make sure to skip and that you are marking your answer on the correct line Once you have made it through the test once, go back and answer all the ones you skipped Adapted from: http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6

13. R - Review If you have planned your time correctly, you will have time to review your answers and make them as complete and accurate as possible Make sure to review the test directions to be certain you have answered all of the required questions Use all of the time given, it is not a race to finish Telling yourself you are going to use all of the time given can also help reduce anxiety Just because other students are turning their tests in doesn’t mean you should rush Adapted from: http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6http://www.slideshare.net/Bearkits/test-taking-strategies- 16610886?qid=a0b0c412-f1ad-4b58-8e13-2c89f0a99947&v=qf1&b=&from_search=6

14. Types of Tests

15. Multiple Choice One strategy you should use when taking a multiple choice test is to Cover the answers Read the question and try to think of the correct answer Then uncover the answers and see if you were right If not, use the process of elimination to narrow down the options What is the capitol of Russia? A. Rome B. Berlin C. Ottowa D. Moscow

16. Multiple Choice (continued) If you do not know the answer, cross out the ones you know are wrong This gives you better odds at getting the question correct if you have to guess After you narrow it down, if you still don’t know, continue taking the test and come back to this question later Sometimes another question on the test will provide you information or will jog your memory to help you answer a previous question Beamed is another way of saying – A screamed B listened C smiled D laughed

17. True/False Look for any factor that will make a statement false For Example: Water boils at 212 degrees in Denver This statement is false, water does boil at 212 degrees but not at Denver’s altitude Also, look for extreme modifiers that tend to make the question False For Example: It always rains in Seattle It often rains in Seattle https://casc.byu.edu/testtaking-strategies FALSE TRUE

18. True/False (continued) Extreme Modifiers It is rare that something would always happen so recognizing the word always will help you realize it is not the correct answer. Other words to watch for would be: AllAlwaysOnlyNone NeverNobodyNo oneBest WorstEverybodyEveryone AbsolutelyAbsolutely not CertainlyCertainly not Qualifying Words Look for qualifying words that tend to make a question true such as UsuallyFrequentlyOftenSometimes SomeSeldomManyMuch ProbablyA majorityMostMight A few https://casc.byu.edu/testtaking-strategies

19. Essay Before you start writing your answer, think through what elements of the course might be relevant for your answer – lecture, reading, discussion Don’t waste time doing an elaborate outline – jot down a few notes but spend most of your time writing the answer not preparing for it http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/11/18/top-10-tips-for-taking-essay-tests

20. Essay (continued) Form a clear thesis statement (statement of purpose) and place it as near to the beginning as possible Provide clear explanations to back up your main concept Remember a complete answer usually has a main idea, supporting detail and illustrative examples Remember to save some space for a brief but adequate summary https://casc.byu.edu/testtaking-strategies

21. Essay (continued) If you are asked a specific question…ANSWER IT Don’t compare when you are supposed to contrast Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding Yes the instructor knows everything about the topic but they are trying to see how much you know Remember, don’t list reasons without assessing them The more detail the better Answer in simple, clear language Make sure you write legibly If the teacher struggles to figure out what you wrote, they are going to get frustrated and your grade may suffer Adapted from: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/11/18/top-10-tips-for-taking-essay-testshttp://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/11/18/top-10-tips-for-taking-essay-tests

22. Essay (continued) When you are done with the test you may feel like you want to add more to your essay It is ok to go back and fill in more important details, just draw an arrow to the margin and add it in But, if you are still writing your essay and find that you are running out of time, at least sketch out how you would have answered so the teacher can at least see your thought process Adapted from: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/11/18/top-10-tips-for-taking-essay-testshttp://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/11/18/top-10-tips-for-taking-essay-tests

23. Other Important Tests

24. As mentioned earlier, you will not only have classroom tests but you will have tests that you must pass for graduation and college entrance Current graduation requirements All students must take and pass the Reading, Math and Science PARCC and/or SBA as well as pass EOC’s in Writing and Social Studies These requirements are subject to change Visit http://www.aps.edu/schools/graduation-requirements for up to date informationhttp://www.aps.edu/schools/graduation-requirements

25. ACT/SAT In addition to classroom and graduation exams, you will need to take the ACT or SAT for college admissions These exams allow colleges and universities to compare your academic preparation to other students across the nation and determine your eligibility for admission, scholarships and placement into courses All schools in the nation accept the ACT and all but 7 accept the SAT so it is your choice which exam you want to take Some students take both to see which one better reflects their knowledge

26. The LCHS Counseling Department recommends taking these exams for the first time at the end of your Junior year (March/April), then again in June if you want to try to increase your score This will allow you to have your scores ready so you can start applying to college in the fall of your senior year ACT/SAT

27. So how do you prepare to take these exams? Two of the best ways to prepare for the test is to take challenging classes and become familiar with the exams The LCHS PTA offers practice ACT’s every fall and spring to help students prepare You can also take practice tests on the ACT and SAT websites and sign up to receive the Question of the Day Visit www.actstudent.org and/or www.collegeboard.org for more informationwww.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.org ACT/SAT

28. Take out a piece of paper and pencil At the top of the page write Test Taking Skills Your Name Today’s Date Write a paragraph on the information you learned today. What two things can you do to improve your test taking ability? When you are done, please place this paper in your Advisory Folder. It will be used for your Student Led Conference in the Spring.