Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

Why do we have EOG tests? It can show you how much you’ve learned this year! It helps you show your teachers and parents what you’ve learned It helps the school know your needs for next year (placement)

What will we do each day? Monday: Check Answer Sheet information and complete Survey Tuesday: Reading about 2 ½ - 3 hours with 2 3-minute breaks Wednesday: Math with Calculators about 2 hours with 2 3-minute breaks. Thursday: Math without Calculators about 1-2 hours with 1 3-minute break.

The Answer Sheet

Start in the right place! Fill in bubbles fully, be neat, and erase stray marks. If you change your answer, erase your first guess. Double-check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you haven’t gotten on the wrong number.

The Test Booklet

Make notes in the column of your test booklet. Circle the number of questions you want to come back to. Highlighters?

Twas the Night Before Testing Organize your clothes the night before. Go to bed on time. Solve family or friend problems before the testing date. Talk to your parents about any concerns that you might have about the test.

The Morning of Testing Start your day as you always do. Eat a good breakfast. Arrive on time. Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school. Think Positively!Think Positively!

Listen to your teacher! REALLY! Listen to the directions as your teacher reads them. If you do not understand them, ask your teacher when he/she asks if there are any questions.

Multiple Choice Questions Try to supply your own answer before reading the choices given. allRead the question and all answer choices before marking anything. Cross out answers in test book you know are wrong. Answer every question. Mark in your test book before marking your answer document.

Pace Yourself Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Make your best guess and then move on. Circle the question number in the test book so you can check back if you have time. Answer the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you circled I know C isn’t the answer!

The Process of Elimination If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

Underline words like: Never Always Except Most Least Answer the question with these words in mind.

Reading Passages First,First, completely read the passage. Next,Next, read the questions one at a time. LookLook back in the passage to support your selected answer.

Key Words key wordsphrasesFind key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer. Underline or Highlight them in the question. Look for them in the text.

Math Computation When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that you have copied the problem correctly from the test booklet!

Math Computation Line up place value correctly on your scratch paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the answer will be incorrect.

Math Computation If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.

A Matter of Time If any time remains, spend it on those questions you circled earlier. As you go back through, do not change all answers. Remember: Your first guess is usually right.

It’s NOT a race!

check to make sure you have answered all questions.

Stress Busters Be Prepared (On time) Practice Know what is expected of you Slow down and relax Use your breaks to stand and stretch Take some deep breaths You can do it!

The Stressed Grip If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil. Relax the grip and give those muscles a break.

it's okay to not know everythingRemember it's okay to not know everything — unlike class tests, these tests are designed to be a challenge.