Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests 2010

Write it in Your Agenda! April 30 – May 7 CST May 10 – 11 EOC/Math May 14 – 15 MDTP May 16 – 17 EOC/Sci. ( 8th) May 17 – 18 EOC/SS May 21 – 22 EOC/LA May 23 MARP

Purpose of CST ( California Standards Test) To test what students should be able to do in each subject area To test students knowledge of standards To test what students should know

CST Achievement (5) Advanced (4) Proficient (3) Basic B (2) Below Basic BB (1) Far Below Basic FBB

‘Twas the Night Before Testing Go to bed on time. Put a few #2 pencils with erasers in your backpack the night before the test. Talk to your parents about your concerns.

The Morning of Testing Start your day as you always do. Eat a good breakfast. Think Positive!Think Positive!

Strategies 1,2,3 1. READ THE DIRECTIONS! 2. Make sure you understand what the question is asking. 3. Be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked.

Pace Yourself Do not spend too much time on any one question. Answer the easiest questions first.

Skip, Return, Check If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions. Return to the ones you did not finish.

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

An Example of Elimination 2+2 = ___ A. 3 B. 4 C. blue D. red

Reading Strategies Scan the questions before reading long passages. Look for clues from other questions/answers.

Math Computation Make sure you have copied the problem correctly from the test booklet! Line up place value correctly on your scratch paper!

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

Keeping Track of Time Do not spend too much time rewriting or obsessing about neatness. Your first guess is usually right but if you have time, recheck the answers that you were unsure about.

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.

it's okay not to know everythingRemember 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. Mr. or Ms. Know-it-all!

Final Tips Fill in the bubbles completely Write neatly Erase stray marks Do your BEST!

Wildcat Pride!

Questions? The End