1. Biology EOC Test Taking Skills & Winter Interim Review
By: Heather Hodson, your Science Coach

2. Why Do Test taking Skills Matter?
These skills are currency.
They will help you with your on your 3 EOC’s this year.
These lifelong test-taking skills will help you score well on any other standardized tests you may encounter - SATs, PERT’s, ACT’s , GREs, ASVABs, LSATs, MCATs, GMATs just to name a few l

3. Be the driver. Effective test taking means using a trained skill set consistently. You are in control. Don’t get “taken for a ride”.

4. Know Your Test
Philosophy: You take the test don’t let the test take you !
Skill #1 KNOW the test format
Skill#2 KNOW the content tested
Skill #3KNOW how to answer a multiple choice exam

5. What Does The Biology EOC Look Like?

6. Skill #1 : Know the Test Format
Note: Test items are written at a ninth grade level with Science words up to the college level. So it averages about a 10th grade level
Biology EOC-This is a Reading and a Science test! Use all your reading skills and your new test taking skills! .

7. Skill #1 : Know the Test Format
The test includes multiple choice questions given after a question, diagram or reading passage. Students will have 160 minutes to complete this test.

8. Skill #2 Know the Content
This test has three categories.
Molecular & Cellular Biology (35%)
Classification, Heredity, & Evolution (25%)
Organisms, Populations, & Ecosystems (40%)

9. Skill #3: Know how to answer the MC
MC questions have two to three parts.
Background
Question- The final sentence of the stem.
Graphic
Order to read : Question , Background, then graphic.

10. Step 1: Read the question
SLOWLY Read the question first. Identify the key words. (underline, circle, or box).This is the focus of the question, focus on it first  .
These words represent your answer . The correct answer must address these key words.

11. Step 1: Read the question
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

12. Step 1 : Read the question
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

13. Step 1:Identify key words
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

14. Step 2: Read the Background
Next, read the background knowledge. Identify the words that relate to your key words . These words should help provide focus.

15. Step #2: Read the background and identify focus words
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

16. Step 2: The background
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

17. Step 3: Graphic
Look at graphic if provided. Ask yourself, how does this help support the key words , what information are they giving me to help me.

18. Step 4: In your own words
Summarize and visualize what they are asking for and in your own words provide your own question.

19. Don’t think of elephants!

20. Beware of the distractors !
By looking at the answer choices without a plan, you could get tricked and think about elephants and only elephants. Stay focused!

21. Step 5: Choose the best answer
Now, look at the answer choices for the first time.
Correct answers must address your identified focus , must be realistic and on topic.
Eliminate what you can and choose. Answer every question even if it is a guess.

22. Step 5 : Choosing the correct answer
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

23. Step 5 : Choosing the correct answer
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories. Was this in your key words ?
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced. Is this relevant, on topic and an answer to your question?
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes. Why is this a distractor?
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model. Is this to the topic?

24. Step 5 : Choosing the correct answer
The atomic theory has been revised over time. John Dalton described the atom as a solid sphere while a later theorist, Ernest Rutherford, developed a different model. Why has the atomic theory changed during the last several hundred years?
A. The new scientific method is more efficient at developing
theories.
B. As new discoveries are made, existing theories are revised or replaced.
C. The atom has changed over time, and new theories must reflect those changes.
D. The splitting of the atom in a nuclear reactor has created the need for a new model.

25. Skill #4: LET’S PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN

29. Answers for Practice test questions
Slide 7- C
Slide 8- A
Slide 9 -C