Tips for Taking the Spring 2014

It’s almost time to take the FCAT 2 It’s almost time to take the FCAT 2.0! Here are some important explanations and reminders to help you do your very best.

FCAT 2.0 Tests Students in Grades 3–10 will take FCAT 2.0 Reading There are two sessions of FCAT 2.0 Reading given over two days You will have 70 minutes to complete each session of FCAT 2.0 Reading

FCAT 2.0 Tests Students in Grades 3–8 will take FCAT 2.0 Mathematics There are two sessions of FCAT 2.0 Mathematics Grades 3–5 complete two sessions over two days Grades 6–8 complete two sessions in one day You will have 70 minutes to complete each session of FCAT 2.0 Mathematics

FCAT 2.0 Tests Students in Grades 5 and 8 will take FCAT 2.0 Science There are two sessions of FCAT 2.0 Science Grade 5 completes two sessions over two days Grade 8 completes two sessions in one day You will have 80 minutes to complete each session of FCAT 2.0 Science

Test Invalidation Let’s talk about the term test invalidation. It’s important for you to understand what it means so it won’t happen to you!

Test Invalidation If your test is invalidated, it means that your test will not be scored, and you will not be able to retake the same test.

To make sure your test is scored . . . Remove all electronic devices. If you have an electronic device at your desk, in your pocket, or ANYWHERE you can reach it during testing or during a break within a session, your test will not be scored.

Electronic Devices Some examples of electronic devices are: Cell phones or smartphones Tablets Handheld video games MP3 players Calculators (permitted for Grade 7 and Grade 8 Mathematics ONLY)

All electronic devices must be turned off before the test All electronic devices must be turned off before the test. Your teacher may collect them or instruct you to put them away (in a locker or backpack away from your desk). If you aren’t sure if something is an electronic device, please ask your teacher before the test.

To make sure your test is scored . . . Do your own work. If you are caught looking at another student’s answers, allowing another student to look at your answers, talking about the test with other students during breaks, or using any kind of unauthorized aid during the test, your test will not be scored.

To make sure your test is scored . . . Don’t be disruptive. If you are disruptive during a test, you may be dismissed from the room and your test may not be scored. It is very important for you to remain quiet, respect other students, and pay attention to and follow the instructions.

To make sure your test is scored . . . Don’t leave school during a session. If you leave the school’s campus for lunch or an appointment before you complete a test session, you will not be allowed to finish taking the test when you return.

To make sure your test is scored . . . Don’t discuss the test items. After the test, you may not discuss the test items with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting on websites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. If you are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, your test will be invalidated.

Testing Rules During the test, you must not: Talk to other students or make any disturbance Look at another student’s test materials Allow another student to look at your test materials Ask for help answering any test questions Have notes or scratch paper Have any electronic or recording devices in your possession at any time, including breaks, even if you do not use them Fail to follow any other instructions given

Testing Rules Before the test, your test administrator will read the testing rules aloud and ask you to read the Testing Rules Acknowledgment. You will be asked to sign your name below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment to show that you understand the rules.

Marking Your Answers Now it’s time to review some important tips for marking your answers correctly.

Marking Your Answers When you are filling in bubbles, mark only ONE answer for each question. Be sure to fill in the bubble for your answer choice completely with your number 2 pencil.

Marking Your Answers Fill in only ONE bubble for the answer you choose. 1. A B C D Correct

Marking Your Answers Do not circle your answer. 1. A B C D Incorrect

Marking Your Answers Do not fill in more than one bubble. Incorrect 1. A B C D Incorrect

Marking Your Answers Do not cross out answers you think are wrong or make marks in any other bubbles. 1. A B C D Incorrect

Marking Your Answers You are allowed to circle or underline words in the reading passages, make notes, or work mathematics problems in the blank space in your test book or test and answer book.

Marking Your Answers Incorrect If you are marking your answers in a test and answer book, make sure that any marks you make taking notes or working problems do not go into a bubble that is not your answer. 1 A B C D Incorrect

Marking Your Answers If you change an answer, be sure to erase completely. If you use your eraser, do so gently to avoid ripping or tearing your answer document.

Gridded-Response Items Some items for Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Mathematics will ask students to answer in a response grid.

Gridded-Response Items This symbol appears next to questions that require you to fill in your answer on a response grid. In the front of your test book, you will find Directions for Completing the Response Grids and Parts of a Response Grid. You may refer to this information at any time during the test.

Gridded-Response Items Fill in the answer boxes at the top of the grid. Do not leave a blank space between answer boxes.

Gridded-Response Items Then grid the bubbles that match the answer boxes. You must fill in the bubbles to receive credit for your answer. Do not grid a bubble underneath a blank answer box.

Gridded-Response Items There are five types of response grids on the Grades 4 and 5 Mathematics tests. Whole-Number Decimal Percent Money Money (with decimal) (no decimal)

Gridded-Response Items There is one type of response grid on the Grade 6 Mathematics test. Answer Boxes Fraction Bar Decimal Point Number Bubbles

Gridded-Response Items There are two types of response grids on the Grade 7 Mathematics test. Answer Boxes Answer Boxes Fraction Bar Fraction Bar or Negative Sign Decimal Point Decimal Point Number Bubbles Number Bubbles

Gridded-Response Items There is one type of response grid on the Grade 8 Mathematics test. Answer Boxes Fraction Bar or Negative Sign Decimal Point Number Bubbles

Rulers Students in Grades 3 and 4 will use a ruler during Session 2 of the Mathematics test. If a test item requires use of a ruler, it will say so in the directions for that item.

Reference Sheets Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and Retake students will receive a reference sheet to use during the Mathematics sessions. Reference sheets contain formulas and conversions that you may need in order to answer questions.

Periodic Table Grade 8 students will receive a Periodic Table of the Elements to use during the Science sessions.

Remember . . . If you complete a page in your test book that says Go On in the bottom corner, turn the page and continue working.

Remember . . . When you come to the stop sign at the end of a session, stop working. Do NOT go on to the next session. DO NOT GO ON.

Remember… When you have finished a session, check through your answers for that session to make sure you have filled in only one bubble for each question and that you have answered every question.

Remember… During the test, you must not: Work in another session (working ahead in Session 2 during Session 1 of the test; going back and working in Session 1 during Session 2 of the test) Change any answers from a previous session Look at another student’s answers Allow another student to look at your answers Have notes, scratch paper, or electronic devices

Remember… You may not ask for help in answering any test questions. Your teacher or test administrator is not allowed to discuss the test or help you read, understand, or answer test questions. Try to answer every question.

Remember… Once you finish a test and turn it in, you may not ask for it back. Be sure to check your answers and try to answer every question before turning in your test.

Remember… During breaks and after testing, it’s important that you don’t talk about the specific test questions with friends, classmates, teachers, or other students.

Remember… This may not be your first time taking the FCAT 2.0, but test books, answer forms, and instructions can change at each grade level, so be sure to PAY ATTENTION!

Most importantly: Get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast before the test. Relax and do your best!