TEST TAKING STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS

TALKING POINTS TIPS FOR AVOIDING ERRORS NAVIGATING MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTING MATH PROBLEM SOLVING & KEY WORDS READING COMPREHENSION SCRATCH PAPER 5 STAR REVIEW REDUCING STRESS HELPFUL BEFORE AND AFTER TIPS

Navigating Multiple Choice Testing Distracters – when the test tries to trick you with answers that seem like the correct answer if you do not read the question carefully. Example: Mark the sentence that has a misspelled word in it. If no words are misspelled, mark the answer “no mistake.” a. The balloon went hire into the air. b. She seasoned her spaghetti sauce with thyme. c. The criminal had to flee the country. d. No mistake

Navigating Multiple Choice Educated Guesses Are a Good Idea The CAT/6 test does not penalize the students for wrong answers. Students should not leave questions blank.

Navigating Multiple Choice Testing Inclusive and Absolute Answer Inclusive terms like generally, usually and often tend to be in the correct answers. Whereas answers like never and always can lead to the incorrect answer. Read answer choices carefully. Example: Omar came home from school with a sad face. He and Tommy had a fight over who would be Team Captain for the game at recess. Now he had detention for two days after school. When he opened the door Mopsy, his pet poodle greeted him with great excitement. Usually, they played fetch each day after school. Today, Omar did not even look at or pat Mopsy. He went to his bedroom and closed the door. From this passage we can conclude that people who have animals in their home a. are never mean to their pets b. do not take them to the veterinarian c. are usually playful with their pets d. let their pets run loose.

Navigating Multiple Choice Testing Eliminating the Wrong Answers Look for answers that are absurd in order to eliminate incorrect answers. Example (Grade 2): It was hot outside, so a.I went swimming. b.I put on a coat. c.I made a snowman. d.None of the above. Look for choices that mean the same thing, if there is no way to say that both are correct, then those two answer choices can be eliminated. Example (Grade 2 )Decide which word means nearly the same as the underlined word. Choose the correct answer. A gigantic mountain a.small b.tiny c.huge d.None of the above

Navigating Multiple Choice Testing All of the Above When a student is given the choice “all of the above,” if you know at least two of the choices is correct, then “all of the above” is probably correct. Example ( Grade 3): Native Americans lived in which part of the United States? a.Northwest b.Southwest c.Central Plains d.All of the Above This tip does not necessarily work for “None of the Above”.

Navigating Multiple Choice Testing Transferring Answers Students should make sure that they periodically look on answer sheets to make sure that the answers and numbers on the test correspond. Example: 1.O O O O 2.O O O O include a bubbler page in pack

Math Problem Solving and Key Words What Students Can Do To Solve a Problem Draw pictures Write a number sentence (equation) Guess and check Make a list Use key words for problem solving Make a chart

KEY WORDS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING –ADDITION Sum, all, together, both, add, total, in all, all together, how many –SUBTRACTION Difference, left, less than, how many more?, minus, subtract, fewer than, greater than, more than, how many less?, remains –MULTIPLICATION Product, in all, each, times, all –DIVISION Quotient, each, divide equally, per, average

READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS Improve comprehension by asking good questions. Literal Questions- answers come directly from the text. Interpretive questions – answers draw on logical conclusions based on information in the text- not always clearly stated.

Reading Comprehension Questions Types of Literal Questions Description: Who are the main characters in the story? When does the story take place? Where do the characters live? Sequence: What happened before …? What happened after…?

Reading Comprehension Questions Interpretive Questions (Reading between the lines.) –Drawing Conclusions: Look at the facts in the text then draw a conclusion based on these facts. –Inference: Look beyond the stated text to what is inferred by the author. –Prediction: Students imagine a future influenced by the events in the text. –Cause and effect: Speculate on the cause or effect of an event or someone’s actions. –Main Idea: Suggest a title for the story. –Comparison and contrast: Compare concepts, events, and people found within the story –Summary: Tell what the text is about in the student’s own words. –Fact and Opinion: Decide if a statement from the story is a fact or an opinion then find evidence in the story that proves their answer.

Preparing Students to Answer Comprehension Questions One of the best strategies for helping students comprehend what they have read is to ask “why” questions. Once an answer is given, ask them to find evidence in the text that proves that answer. One of the best test strategies for taking reading comprehension tests is to READ THE QUESTIONS FIRST.

Scratch Paper “Tame Those Wild Scratch Papers” 3 Surefire Ideas for Scratch Paper Smarts It’s easy to lose information and get confused when using scratch paper. Students often cannot go back and check their work, because they can’t find it. Idea #1 – Fold paper into small squares or grids and number the spaces. When students are working, they should fill in problems in the corresponding box, leaving blank boxes when no calculation is necessary. Idea #2 – Students should use corresponding numbers to go back and check their work and identify answers. Idea #3 – Circle answers on the scratch paper so they are easily identified and the correct answer choice is chosen not a distracter.

5 Star Review Practice using time limits. Use various formats when giving students review problems (i.e., multiple choice, fill in the blanks, etc.) Practice using test strategies during practice tests. When reviewing answers with students, discuss why answers are correct and incorrect. Make sure practice questions are within and above student’s abilities.

Reducing Stress 1. Take advantage of the opportunity to take practice tests to familiarize yourself with the test format. 2. When taking practice tests, simulate actual testing conditions as much as possible e.g., follow the time limit, use an answer sheet, do only one section at a time, practice test-taking strategies. 3. Learn and practice some basic relaxation techniques such as imaging yourself in a relaxing place you have been, a place where you feel unhurried, peaceful, and calm. 4. Take an interest in standardized achievement tests, but don’t be so concerned that you make your child nervous. 5. Talk about the tests as opportunities to show what has been learned. Explain that the tests are not competitions or test where students pass or fail. 6. Be positive and express confidence that your child will be able to handle the tests well. 7. Urge your child to do the best work possible but to also keep in mind that test results are only one way to show how they are doing in school. 8. Show interest in your child’s school work every day, not just on test days.

TIPS FOR AVOIDING ERRORS Bubble- In Spaces Completely Erase Old Marks Mark Only One Answer Read Each Question Carefully Consider Every Answer Check Question Numbers and Answer Sheet Frequently

Helpful Before, During and After Test Tips The Night Before –Help your child get to bed on time. Research shows that being well-rested helps students do better. –Help children resolve immediate arguments before going to bed. –Keep your routine as normal as possible. Upsetting natural routines may make children feel insecure. –Mention the test to show you’re interested but don’t dwell on it. –Plan ahead to avoid conflicts the morning of the test.

Helpful Before, During and After Test Tips The Morning of Test Day –Get up early enough to avoid rushing. Be sure to have your child at school on time. –Have your child eat a good breakfast but not a heavy one. Research shows that students do better if they have breakfast before they take tests. –Have your child dress in something comfortable. –Be positive about the test. Acknowledge that test can be hard and that they’re designed so that no one will know all the answers. Explain that doing your best is what counts. The important thing is to make your child comfortable and confident about the test.

Helpful Before, During and After Test Tips After the Test –Talk to your child about his or her feelings about the test, making sure you acknowledge the effort such a task requires. –Discuss what was easy and what was hard: discuss what your child learned from the test. –Discuss what changes your child would make if he or she were to retake the test. –Explain that performance on a test is not a condition for you to love your child. You love your child just for the person he or she is.