1. Test Taking Tips

2. Why Do I Need To Learn Test-Taking Strategies?
Now, we must learn test taking strategies to make us successful in class tests, but also tests like the SBAC.
Test scores are used to evaluate your progress and become a permanent part of your record and can affect what you do after high school.
Test scores determine your placement in various classes and may influence your ability to take classes, or to participate in any sport or club.
High School counselors look at your test scores to decide which classes you are going to take, and to help you with which colleges or post-high school you will attend.

3. Get ready before testing
Test Taking Strategy # 1–
Get plenty of rest the night before each testing day
You need 7-9 hours of sleep, so go to bed at 10pm.
Get ready before testing
Eat a good nutritious breakfast the morning of each testing day
(Milk w/cereal, eggs, fruits; no Cheetos and candy.)
Avoid the morning rush. Set out clothes the night before. Get to school a few minutes earlier than you usually do.

4. Follow Directions! Always listen to the directions given by teacher.
Test Taking Strategy # 2
Always listen to the directions given by teacher.
LISTEN
READ
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.
ASK
Follow Directions!

5. Use your time wisely! Test Taking Strategy # 3
Remember: Never leave any question on a test blank.
1. Don’t spend too much time on any one question.
Use all your time! There are no extra points for finishing early.
Save time at the end to review your test and make sure you haven't left out any answers.
Answer the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped.

6. Test Taking Strategy # 4
Choose an answer
for every question!

7. Test Taking Strategy # 5 Multiple Choice
Eliminate answers you know aren't right.
Read all the choices before choosing your answer.
Always take an educated guess and select an answer vs. leaving blanks.
Don't keep on changing your answer, just ensure that you’ve read the question correctly.

8. Multiple Choice
In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is likely the answer.

9. ANSWERS WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE USUALLY WRONG OR FALSE!
Test Taking Strategy # 6
ANSWERS WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE USUALLY WRONG OR FALSE!
ALL, ALWAYS, MUST, NONE, NEVER, EVERY, ENTIRELY, BEST, WORST, ONLY, EVERYONE
ABSOLUTE WORDS

10. SOME, SOMETIMES, GENERALLY, USUALLY MOST, FEW, MANY, OFTEN SELDOM
Test Taking Strategy # 7
ANSWERS WITH THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE USUALLY CORRECT/TRUE
SOME, SOMETIMES, GENERALLY, USUALLY
FREQUENTLY, PROBABLY
MOST, FEW, MANY, OFTEN SELDOM
GENERAL WORDS

11. LOOK FOR CLUES Test Taking Strategy # 8
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
LOOK FOR CLUES

12. Simplify this statement: Most people are
Test Taking Strategy # 9
Simplify the question by getting rid of double negatives.
The effect of negatives is to make the sentence the opposite of what it would be without the negative
Simplify this statement: Most people are
not unafraid of snakes.
Most people are
afraid of snakes.
Negatives:
Not None No one
Hardly Scarcely
Prefixes such as
Un- Non- Dis- In-

13. GRAPHS/CHARTS Test Taking Strategy # 10
Read all the titles, labels, and other given information
Check the units of measurement
Look for a pattern, trend, or comparison in the graph or table

14. Test Taking Strategy # 11 Questions with maps
Read the title of the map
Check the map key( legend)
Look at the map scale (if you need to find a distance)
4. Re-read the question again

15. Reading a story Test Taking Strategy # 12
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
Reading a story

16. Tip: Look for the Big idea in the first two paragraphs of the story !
Events and characters that make up the story
The purpose of the story
The point the author is trying to make
Test Taking Strategy # 12
What’s the Big Idea?
Finding the BIG IDEA
Tip: Look for the Big idea in the first two paragraphs of the story !

17. 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.

18. If you misbubble you’re in trouble
Test Taking Strategy # 13
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.

19. 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.

20. Essay
Make sure that you write down everything that is asked of you and more
If the question is asking for facts, don't give your personal opinion on the topic.
If you have time left at the end, proofread your work and correct any errors.

21. True/False
Read through each statement carefully, and pay attention to the qualifiers and keywords.
Qualifiers like "never, always, and every mean that the statement MUST be true all of the time. Usually these type of qualifiers lead to a false answer.

22. True/False
Qualifiers like "usually, sometimes, and generally" mean that the statement can be considered true or false depending on the circumstances. Usually these type of qualifiers lead to an answer of true.
If any part of the question is false, then the entire statement is false but just because part of a statement is true doesn't necessarily make the entire statement true.

23. I am scared of the test monster!!!!
Remember…
I am scared of the test monster!!!!
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 !!!!

24. When you are done …
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.