1. Test Tips Explore Test

2. You need a number two pencil to complete a standardized test. Bring several sharpened pencils with you.

3. You need a calculator for a standardized test.

4. Calculators Can use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator unless it has features described in the prohibited list There are also calculators permitted with modifications Refer to information from District 211 for details

5. Explore Test – Four Sections English Test (30 Minutes) –25 questions – Usage/Mechanics –15 questions – Rhetorical Skills Total Questions = 40 Measures your understanding of standard written English and your understanding of the use of strategy, organization and style in writing.

6. Mathematics Test (30 Minutes) –19 questions – Pre-Algebra/Algebra –7 questions – Geometry –4 questions – Statistics/Probability Total Questions = 30 Measures your mathematical reasoning. Covers 4 areas – knowledge and skills, direct application, understanding concepts, and integrating conceptual understanding.

7. Reading Test (30 Minutes) –30 questions Measures your reading comprehension. Skills include referring to details in the passage, drawing conclusions, and making comparisons and generalizations.

8. Science Test ( 30 Minutes) –28 Questions Measures scientific reasoning skills – how you understand scientific information and draw conclusions from it. Formats presented are: –Data representation (graphs, tables, and other forms –Research summaries –Conflicting viewpoints

9. Multiple Choice Test Strategies Typically, you can eliminate one answer immediately. DO NOT leave a question blank – make an educated guess and mark an answer. –Come back to the question if you have time –You DO NOT lose credit for guessing It is to your advantage to ANSWER EVERY QUESTION.

10. Reading the Directions Never assume you understand how to complete the test. Read the directions CAREFULLY.

11. Preview the questions about a reading passage before reading the selection. If you have an essay question, read the essay question before reading the selection.

12. Multiple Choice Tests If two answers are basically the same, typically they will not be the right answer. –For example, the question is about vocabulary and two of the answers choices are synonyms. If two answers are opposites, one of them is more likely to be the right choice.

13. If one answer is “all of the above” it is NOT more likely to be the right answer If any part of an answer is wrong, the answer is WRONG Typically, the words “always” and “never” indicate a wrong answer Occasionally, the answer to a question is actually given in another question

14. Look up the word “ unity ” in a thesaurus. Standardized tests love to use this word in its many forms: coherence, cohesion, unification, synthesis.

15. Your ATTITUDE about the importance of a test does a great deal to determine how well you will do on that test.

16. Standardized tests do count for something. Relax. You will know most of the information on this test.

17. Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep! Eat breakfast!

18. Practice Explore Questions Can be found at: http://actstudent.org/explore/tests/ index.html http://www.act.org/standard/instru ct/pdf/EXPL_CRS_MatchtoItemsB ooklet.pdf