Test Taking Tips for the CRCT Created by Ashlynn Campbell, Area 5 Lead Teacher

The CRCT tells you, your parents and school officials the extent to which you learned what your teachers taught.

Your Performance is Categorized Performance Level 1 (Does not meet) GPS Performance Level 2 (Meets) GPS Performance Level 3 (Exceeds) GPS

Based on your test results, important decisions will be made about you at school.

Decisions Promotion / Retention Gifted Program Support Classes Connect Time Groups Supplemental Services Sports Participation College Careers

On the Night Before Testing Go to Bed in time to get 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Rest before a test is important! Talk to your parents about any concerns that you might have about the test. Put a few number 2 pencils with erasers in your backpack.

The Morning of Testing Start your day as you always do. Eat a healthy breakfast. Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school. Be Positive!

TIP 1 Read all directions before you answer the question.

TIP 2 Read each question carefully!

TIP 3 Underline key words and phrases in the question.

Tip 4 Try to come up with your own answer before seeing the choices. This will help in choosing the best answer choice available.

TIP 5 Read the entire question and all possible answers before marking your answer. Eliminate answer choices that you know cannot be right.

TIP 6 Be aware of the following key words: ALLNEVER NOWONLY ALWAYSEXACTLY

TIP 7 Watch for negative words such as the following: NOT NO NEVER

TIP 8 Words that are CAPITALIZED, underlined, or bold are important words.

TIP 9 Be sure to answer ALL questions!

TIP 10 Look for information in some of the questions. This information may help you answer other questions.

TIP 11 the number of the answer document to the item in the test booklet. Match

TIP 12 Don’t let the pace of others make you nervous. However, don’t spend too much time on one question.

TIP 13 CONCENTRATE! Do not allow yourself to be distracted by noises or movements around you.

TIP 14 Use ALL the time you are given to complete the test, and be sure to review your answers.

TIP 15 THINK POSITIVE!

Pirate: Pirate: An Acronym to Help Remember Test-Taking Strategies P P – Prepare well: Get 8-10 hrs. sleep; Eat a healthy breakfast I I – Inspect the directions: Read carefully; Note Key Words R R – Read, Remember, and Reduce: Read the entire item and all choices; Remember what you’ve studied; Reduce the choices (eliminate obviously wrong answers) A A – Answer or Abandon (skip): Answer items that you know; skip items that you don’t know T T – Turn back to complete skipped items: After completing the section, return to skipped items; make best choice E E – Estimate: Consider the remaining choices carefully comparing similar or longer answers

PIRATE Tips Write Pirate on your scratch paper to help you remember test-taking strategies. Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks. 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 Death 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. Do not do arm exercises during testing as this disturbs others.

Just Try to Do Your Best! Remember it’s okay not to know everything – unlike class tests, these tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge at a grade level above your current grade.