Test Taking Strategies

Objectives To apply test-taking strategies while preparing for a Regents style assessment. Daily Question: How do you take tests?

Keys to Doing your Best Cover up the answer choices Underline key words in the question Define key terms Answer the question in your own words Match your answer with the correct answer.

Cover up the Answers There are answers that look correct, but are not By not seeing them, you won’t be fooled into choosing them

Underline the key words By underlining, you will identify what the most important part of the question is Example: Before: “One major characteristic of the Renaissance period is that…” After: “One major characteristic of the Renaissance period is that the”

Define Key Terms Write the definition on the test… Renaissance Example: “One major characteristic of the Renaissance period is that the” Renaissance –

Answer the question in your own words Putting it in your own words allows you to locate the correct answer more quickly Example: “One major characteristic of the Renaissance period is that” Answer:

Match your answer with the correct one Answer: Focused on art, literature, reviving old cultures (1) Catholic Church no longer had any influence in Europe (2) manor became the center of economic activity (3) classical cultures of Greece and Rome were revived and imitated (4) major language of the people became Latin

Putting it all together Because you defined the Renaissance as a rebirth of culture, achievements in art, there is only one correct answer The correct answer is (3) classical cultures of Greece and Rome were revived and imitated

Other Misc. Tips When you see the word “not”, CIRCLE IT, STAR IT, UNDERLINE IT, HIGHLIGHT IT, RECOGNIZE IT If a question compares two items, chances are you can answer it even if you know only one of the items. If you’re reading quotes, and being asked to identify who would say the quote, use + and – signs to help out.

Comparing Question One similarity between Martin Luther and Henry VIII is that they: (1) argued against the establishment of a theocratic state (2) protested against the ideas of the Enlightenment (3) died during the Reign of Terror (4) challenged the teachings of the Catholic Church

Quote Question Which speaker’s statement best reflects the ideas of the Enlightenment? Speaker A: Good government stresses the importance of the nation and accepts the rights of the individual only if the interests of the individual are the same as those of the nation. Speaker B: The person of the king is sacred and to attack him in any way is to attack religion itself. The respect given to a king is religious in nature. Speaker C: All human beings are born free and equal with a right to life and liberty. It is the duty of government to protect these natural rights of its citizens. Speaker D: Our goal will not be achieved by democracy or liberal reforms, but by blood and iron. Only then will we be successful. No nation achieves greatness or unity without the traumatic experiences of war.

For your group presentation Role #1 – underline the information Role #2 – define the underlined term Role #3 – put answer in own words Role #4 – cross out/ circle correct answer

Group #1 Which quotation was most likely made by an absolute monarch? “It is the parliament that must make the laws.” “The government must be based on a sound constitution.” “The government that governs best, governs least.” “I am the state.”

Group #2 During the 16th and 17th centuries, monarchs in western Europe sought to Develop democratic institutions Guarantee the personal liberty of citizens Centralize their  own political power Encourage religious tolerance

Group #3 One similarity of the Manard Revolution and the Enlightenment is that both Had the support of the Roman Catholic Church Place great value on traditional beliefs Emphasized the value of human reasoning Contributed to the end of feudalism

Group #4 A major contribution of the Golden Age of Islam was the: 1. development of mercantilism 2. creation of the first polytheistic religion 3. spread of democratic ideals 4. advancement of mathematics and science 

Group #5 One similarity in the leadership of Jose de San Martin of Latin America and Giuseppe Garibaldi of Italy was that both leaders  Opposed United States intervention in Haiti Led a struggle to gain freedom for the people of his nation Opposed membership of his nation in the League of Nations Established an absolute monarchy in his nation

Closure Ticket out the door: What did you learn? Do you feel more confident using these strategies? Why/why not? How will you take the next test? If you want to study online, visit www.regentsprep.org Good luck!!!