Empowering Children With Lifelong Skills Ms Ms. Rosemary M. Hemingway, MA., NBCT/School Counseling School Counselor, Townsend Middle School March 2007

"Thank Goodness I Can Read Better" T=Take your time. G=Go back in the story to find answers. I=Italics are important. C=Check your work. R=Read all choices. B=Bubble correctly.

Marking your answers Every fifth question check the number you are on. Make sure you are marking the answer to the correct number on your answer sheet. This way, if you are off your mark, you will not have as many answers to correct.

Get the BIG picture Get the BIG picture Survey the entire test before you answer any questions. This will help you to get an overview of what's expected and to strategize how you will take the test.

Relaxation is Important Take a few deep breaths to relax tense muscles. Repeat throughout the test. This process will help you to stay relaxed and to make more energy available for remembering, thinking, and writing.

Organize your Thoughts Do a quick "mind dump" of information you don't want to forget. Write it down on scrap paper.

Get into the Testing Mode Answer the easiest questions first, to help yourself calm down.

What’s Happening? Look for the central idea of each question. What is the MAIN IDEA?

Look for Key Words Statements with always, never, none, except, most, or least-are probably NOT the answer.

Stay Focused Use good strategies for answering multiple choice and other objective questions.

Use prior knowledge Try to supply your own answer before choosing an alternative listed on the test.

Mark an answer for every question

Choose your answers wisely If you have to guess: The length of choices can be a clue. Choose the longest. The length of choices can be a clue. Choose the longest. If two choices are similar, choose neither. If two choices are similar, choose neither. If two choices are opposites, choose one of them. If two choices are opposites, choose one of them. The most general alternative is usually the right answer. The most general alternative is usually the right answer.

Reading with a purpose Read, or at least skim, the questions before you read the selection. Read, or at least skim, the questions before you read the selection. Then, while reading the selection, you should keep those questions in mind and underline words and phrases that might help you choosing the correct answer. Then, while reading the selection, you should keep those questions in mind and underline words and phrases that might help you choosing the correct answer.

"Right There" Questions: The answer to these questions is right there in the selection. The answer to these questions is right there in the selection. To find it, you recall information from or refer back to one place in the selection. Example: "Who gave Calvin the cat?" To find it, you recall information from or refer back to one place in the selection. Example: "Who gave Calvin the cat?"

“Think and Search" Questions: You can also find the answer to these questions by using your memories or looking back at the selection. You can also find the answer to these questions by using your memories or looking back at the selection. However, the answer is usually in more than one place. You need to assemble information for the answer. However, the answer is usually in more than one place. You need to assemble information for the answer. Example: "What was the same about every cat in the story?" Example: "What was the same about every cat in the story?"

"Author and You" Questions: These questions are often the toughest because they can't be answered just by reading the selection. These questions are often the toughest because they can't be answered just by reading the selection. You need to use what you already know, plus what you learn from the selection, to answer. You need to use what you already know, plus what you learn from the selection, to answer. Example: "How did Calvin probably feel when he found the cat?" Example: "How did Calvin probably feel when he found the cat?"

Knowing where to look for answers will save you valuable time. Answers about when and where the story takes place are often found at the beginning. Answers about when and where the story takes place are often found at the beginning. Answers about a problem in the story are usually found in the middle. Answers about a problem in the story are usually found in the middle. Answers about how the problem was resolved are frequently found at the end. Answers about how the problem was resolved are frequently found at the end.

Additional Strategies Decide exactly what the question is asking; one response is clearly best. Decide exactly what the question is asking; one response is clearly best. Don't spend too much time on any one question. Don't spend too much time on any one question. Skip difficult questions until all other questions have been answered. On scrap paper, keep a record of the unanswered items to return to, if time permits. Skip difficult questions until all other questions have been answered. On scrap paper, keep a record of the unanswered items to return to, if time permits.

Additional Strategies Read every possible answer--the best one could be last. Read every possible answer--the best one could be last. Read and respond to items one at a time rather than thinking about the whole test. Read and respond to items one at a time rather than thinking about the whole test. Reread, when necessary, the parts of a selection needed for choosing the correct answer. Reread, when necessary, the parts of a selection needed for choosing the correct answer.

Additional Strategies Don't expect to find a pattern in the positions of the correct answers. Don't expect to find a pattern in the positions of the correct answers. Use the process of elimination. Try to get the correct answer by getting rid of the wrong answer. Use the process of elimination. Try to get the correct answer by getting rid of the wrong answer.

Additional Strategies Make sure to record the answer in the correct place on the answer sheet. Make sure to record the answer in the correct place on the answer sheet. Only change an answer if you are sure the first one you picked was wrong. Be sure to completely erase changed answers. Try not to make a hole in the paper. Only change an answer if you are sure the first one you picked was wrong. Be sure to completely erase changed answers. Try not to make a hole in the paper.

Value Your Time Work as rapidly as possible with accuracy. Work as rapidly as possible with accuracy. After completion of the test, use any remaining time to check your answers. After completion of the test, use any remaining time to check your answers.

Always Remember… Be serious, confident, and strategic. Be serious, confident, and strategic. Keep a good attitude. Think positively! Keep a good attitude. Think positively!

If YOU Believe (and work hard) YOU can and will score a Level 4.

RESOURCES Study Island Computer Program Study Island Computer Program North Carolina Department of Public Instruction North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Jean Blaydes “Thinking on Your Feet” Jean Blaydes “Thinking on Your Feet” Noland & Ross “Brain Boosters” Noland & Ross “Brain Boosters” Buckle Down NC Test Preparation Buckle Down NC Test Preparation

WEBSITES TO VISIT

Rosemary M. Hemingway Masters Degree In Education Masters Degree In Education Certification in School Counseling Certification in School Counseling National Board Certified Teacher/School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood National Board Certified Teacher/School Counseling/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood 2005 NC Middle School Counselor of the Year 2005 NC Middle School Counselor of the Year 30 years in education 30 years in education –13 years as a classroom teacher –17 years as a school counselor Contact Information (910) (910) Carolina Street, Maxton, NC 28364