2. FSA/SAT Testing : 2016 Created by: Elementary Teachers Crossroad Academy Charter School 15 strategies every test taker should know

3. The FSA test is based on the Florida State Standards that your scholar is already learning in their classes. Test scores are used to evaluate progress and become a permanent part of your scholar’s record.

5. Put pencil down Flip book over Rotate my neck in circles Close my eyes Massage my temples Take quick breaths Stretch my shoulders One minute after each selection. Take my own Brain Breaks …

6. Pretend (Act) that I like the topic even if I do not. Tell myself I have always wanted to read about it. I have to love it 15-20 minutes. Love Each Selection

7. Get plenty of rest the night before each testing day You need 7-9 hours of sleep, so go to bed at 10pm. Eat a good nutritious breakfast the morning of each testing day (Milk w/cereal, eggs, fruits; no Hot Cheetos and candy.) Avoid the morning rush. Set out clothes the night before. Get to school a few minutes earlier than you usually do.

8. Solve family/friend problems before the testing date Talk to your parents about any concerns that you might have about the test. Think Positive Start your day as always.. Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school.

9. LISTEN READ ASK Always Always listen to the directions given by teacher. Read the directions written on the test Read the question and all answer choices before marking anything. Ask the teacher if you do not understand the directions.

10. 5. Answer the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped. 2. It is important to answer every question even if you are not sure of the answer. 3. Use all your time! There are no extra points for finishing early. 4. Save time at the end to review your test and make sure you haven't left out any answers. 1. Don’t spend too much time on any one question.

11. Multiple Choice Questions Read the question and all answer choices before marking anything. Do not guess blindly, but if you have the time to think about the best answer choice, make it.

12. Skip, Return, Check If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions.

13. Are We Communicating? Make sure you understand what the question is asking. Be sure you are responding to the question being asked.

14. If you can’t figure out which answer is correct, try to eliminate (get rid of) the answers that you know are wrong Eliminate obviously wrong answer choices Eliminate choices that are partly correct Eliminate items that are correct but don’t answer the question

15. Educated guessing means using everything you know to attempt to answer the question A random guess gives you a 25% chance of getting the right answer. An educated guess gives you chance of answering correctly up to 75%

16. Your Goal Choice (a) Choice (b) Choice (c) Choice (d) Choose an answer for every question!

17. ANSWERS WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE USUALLY WRONG/FALSE ALL ALWAYS MUST NONE NEVER EVERY ENTIRELY BEST WORSTONLY EVERYONE

18. The context of a word includes all the words and sentences that surround it and the situation in which the word is used WHEN THE ANSWER IS NOT CLEAR, LOOK FOR CLUES ( CONTEXT, TENSE, WORD TYPE, GRAMMAR) IN THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER CHOICES

19. Clue words in test questions: Who? Person What? Thing Where? Place When? Time Why? Reason Which? Choice How? A way something is done How many ? Number Find Key Words or phrases that will help you choose the correct answer.

20. Read the question to find the answer in the selection. Mark the proof with the question # and underline it in the selection text.

21. Reading Passages If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read, read the question first. By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.

22. Reading Passages When there are several questions about a reading passage or chart, look for clues in other questions that will help you with those items about which you are unsure.

23. In Math, ESTIMATING is an approximate answer obtained by rounding the numbers BEFORE you add, subtract, multiply, or divide. What is 325+917+ 796? A. 56 B. 2038 C. 1038 D. 10,564 Always ask yourself: “Is the answer reasonable?”

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

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

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

27. It’s About Time Do not spend too much time rewriting or obsessing about neatness Fill in bubbles fully, stay in the circle, and erase stray marks.

28. Always use the Q-TIP pre- reading strategy Q- questions( read them before reading the selection) T- titles/subtitles( make a prediction about what the selection is all about) I- introduction ( read this), Italics, and Bold Print(these emphasize key words) P- pictures and captions

29. A- Analyze the Question This means you have to find the “big idea” of what the question is asking you. Circle the questions, restate it in your own words.

30. 1.Read all the titles, labels, and other given information 2.Check the units of measurement 3.3. Look for a pattern, trend, or comparison in the graph or table

31. 1.Read the title of the map 2. Check the map key( legend) 3.Look at the map scale (if you need to find a distance) 4. Re-read the question again

32. Answers about where and when the story takes place are found at the beginning Answers about a problem of the story are usually found in the middle Answers about how the problem was resolved are usually found at the end

33. What’s the Big Idea? Events and characters that make up the story The purpose of the story The point the author is trying to make Tip: Look for the Big idea in the first two paragraphs of the story !

34. More Tips  If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read, Read the questions first.  Line up place value correctly on your scratch paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones).  Remember: Never leave any question on a test blank.

35. If you misbubble you’re in trouble If you reach a hard question and can’t make your educated guess, an easier one is just around the corner. Write a light ? next to the question you are skipping and move on to the next question.

36. How do you prevent misbubbling? At the end of the test, go back to the questions with ? next to them and see if you can try to answer it. Please be sure to answer every question.

37. Remember the strategies! They will help you to feel confident. Think positively about doing your best ! Take a deep breath to relax. Answer EVERY question. Make intelligent educated guesses. Think about one item at a time. DO YOUR BEST !!!! I am scared of the test monster !!!!

38. Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks. If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions. Once you have finished, please remain quiet as others will still be working on the test. When you are done …