About that TEST!!! Tying up the loose ends Tying up the loose ends

~Content Sections~ American Government/Civics American Government/Civics –(about 18% of test) –These items test your knowledge of the philosophical foundations of the U.S. government and how that philosophy developed into the structure and function of the U.S. government. Also tested is your knowledge of the U.S. governments relationship to states and to its citizens.

U.S. History (about 51% of test) U.S. History (about 51% of test) –U.S. History to 1865 (approximately 26% of the test) –These items test your knowledge of major events and themes in U.S. history from early European colonization to the end of the Civil War. –U.S. History since 1865 (approximately 25% of the test) –These items test your knowledge of major events and themes in U.S. history from Reconstruction to the late twentieth century.

World Geography World Geography –(about 13% of test) –These items test your knowledge of the importance and impact of physical and cultural geography on the development of regions throughout the world. Assessment of this domain will focus on geography content that you will have had an opportunity to learn in your study of World History and U.S. History.

World History World History –(about 18% of test) –Although the GPS World History standards begin in pre-history and extend to the early days of the twenty- first century, items in this domain will test your knowledge of major events and themes beginning with the Renaissance and Reformation period and ending in the second half of the twentieth century.

Map & Globe Skills/Information Processing Skills Map & Globe Skills/Information Processing Skills –Found in the transitional test content description but not assessed as separate domains. –These Social Studies skills are included in the content of test questions as appropriate.

What kind of questions? Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice tests are designed so that students can show their understanding of a subject by selecting a correct answer from a list of possible choices. Theres a method to the madness… Multiple Choice Questions have specific PARTS: A stimulus (sometimes) A question or stem Several options(some of which are distractors!) Why are MULTIPLE CHOICE Tests so confusing???

Lets take a look… stimulus It is estimated that 500 million people face hunger and malnutrition daily. However, during the 1970s and 1980s, enough food was grown worldwide to provide an adequate diet for every human being. The United States and Canada produce approximately 80% of the worlds supply of grain, yet have only 6% of the worlds population, whereas poor, developing nations cannot produce enough food to feed their populations. stem Based upon the preceding passage, why is hunger a major world problem? options a. The United States and Canada produce too much grain. b. Developing nations cannot afford to feed their populations adequately. c. The worlds population is increasing more rapidly than the food supply. d. There is an unequal distribution of world food supply and world population.

Multiple Choice Test Taking Tips Read the question before you look at the answer. Read the question before you look at the answer. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you. Eliminate answers you know aren't right. Eliminate answers you know aren't right. Read all the choices before choosing your answer. Read all the choices before choosing your answer. If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select an answer. If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and select an answer.

Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one, unless you miss-read the question. Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one, unless you miss-read the question. In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above". In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above". In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer. In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer. A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one. A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one. Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information. Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information.

GHSGT Social Studies Specifics Test Time: up to 3 hours (usually takes about 90 minutes) Test Time: up to 3 hours (usually takes about 90 minutes) You may use: You may use: –Ruler or straight edge (index card) –Test booklet margins (you can write in it – DO!!!)

Hints: –Read Everything Carefully! Questions may involve short articles, tables, charts, and graphs. Questions may involve short articles, tables, charts, and graphs. All test questions require careful reading of both the directions, the question, AND all four answer choices. All test questions require careful reading of both the directions, the question, AND all four answer choices. –There are NO trick questions –There are NO trick questions Dont waste your time trying to figure out what it really means! Dont waste your time trying to figure out what it really means! Careful reading and consideration of all choices IS necessary. Careful reading and consideration of all choices IS necessary. –Consider EVERY choice! Beware of distractors – those alternative answers that seem attractive on the surface! Beware of distractors – those alternative answers that seem attractive on the surface! Be sure the ENTIRE answer is correct! Be sure the ENTIRE answer is correct!

More Hints: –Guess intelligently! There is NO penalty for guessing. There is NO penalty for guessing. If you can eliminate one or more items guessing is easier! If you can eliminate one or more items guessing is easier! –Spend test time wisely! The GHSGT is NOT arranged in an easiest to hardest order! The GHSGT is NOT arranged in an easiest to hardest order! You may find several difficult questions followed by a set of easier items – dont get discouraged – move on and come back to the more difficult questions! You may find several difficult questions followed by a set of easier items – dont get discouraged – move on and come back to the more difficult questions! –Check your work! Carelessness can cause you to lose points!!! Carelessness can cause you to lose points!!! #1 -- Read EVERYTHING carefully! #1 -- Read EVERYTHING carefully! #2 -- Evaluate EACH answer choice! #2 -- Evaluate EACH answer choice! #3 -- Transfer your choice to the CORRECT box on your answer sheet! #3 -- Transfer your choice to the CORRECT box on your answer sheet!