1. Test Taking Strategies for the Capt Mike Yagid, Scott Wallace, Andrea Maxwell, Patrick Hughes, Ryan Gleason, and JR Condosta

2. The Process Step 1 – Identify Problem Types Step 2 – Research test taking strategies specific to problem types Step 3 – Compile strategies into a Packet and PowerPoint Step 4 – Model strategies for department Step 5 – Teachers model and implement strategies for students

3. Problem Types Multiple Choice –A question which requires a student to select the best possible answer (or answers) out of the choices from a list. Constructed Response –A short essay or open-ended question which asks a student to explain, analyze, and/or interpret a written statement or graphic (ie: photo, map, diagram).

4. Multiple Choice Strategies Read –Read the entire question carefully before you look at the answer. –Don't read too much into a question. –Circle or underline important words. –Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. Analyze –Read all the choices before choosing your answer. –Eliminate answers you know aren't right. –For a graph or picture, determine the conclusion. –Look for two answer choices that are opposites. –Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test. –Look for answer choices that contain language used by your teacher or found in your textbooks.

5. Multiple Choice Strategies Choose –Always take an educated guess and select an answer. –Don't keep on changing your answer. –Never leave a question unanswered! Guess (if you have no other option) –A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one. –Many times, the correct answer is the choice with the most information. –Don’t choose "None of the above" if you are certain one of the statements is true. –Choose "All of the above" only if you are certain that at least two answers are correct.

6. Constructed Response Strategies Read –Read the entire question carefully. Prepare –Before the test, know how your response will be scored. –Outline your response in the margin. Answer –Restate the question to begin your sentence. –Answer all parts of the question asked. –Support your reasoning with detail. –Write legibly. –Do not skip any questions.

7. Multiple Choice Example 1 1) During which of the following processes is there a decrease in the heat content of the form of water indicated? a. Ice as it forms on a lake b. Water droplets as they fall to the ground c. Water as it evaporates from a pond d. Snow as it melts on a mountainside

8. Multiple Choice Example 2 2) When the car accelerates from a standing start, the crash test dummy appears to be pressed backward into the seat cushions. Which of the following best explains why this happens? a. The crash test dummy gets lighter as the car accelerates. b. The car is moving forward faster than the crash test dummy. c. There is no reaction to the force of the car taking off. d. Gravity is pulling the crash test dummy in the direction the car is moving.

9. Multiple Choice Example 3 3) The highest concentration of life exists in the top 200 meters of ocean water. The most important factor that influences this concentration of life is the… a. amount of gases at the surface. b. amount of nutrients in the water. c. large number of predators at lower depths. d. amount of sunlight.

10. Constructed Response Example Stretching Ability a) After analyzing the data, the students concluded that the data supported their original hypothesis. What could have been the students’ hypothesis? b) Support your answer with specific information from the investigation. Plastic TypeTrial 1 Dry-cleaning bag23 mm Kitchen wrap16 mm Sandwich bag14 mm Grocery bag7 mm

11. Constructed Response Example This response was given a 3 out of 3.

12. General Test Taking Tips Additional strategies which may prove useful on any exam.

13. Additional Information Common Questions for Constructed Response Embedded Tasks Constructed Response Grading Rubric –Graded Examples Experimental Design

14. Don’t Forget… To implement these strategies – Pre/Post assessment – Assign as HW – Day before quiz, unit test, or midterm – Before/during students take an exam The strategies are on the Science CAPT Resources webpage Email Pat for E-copies of resources