1. TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
How should you attack the SOL test?

2. Before the Test Read through any material(s) your teacher gives you
Take practice tests
Go to bed at a reasonable hour (by 11pm) 
Eat something in the morning
Get to school on time so you don’t feel rushed
Go to the bathroom before you sit down 

3. Before the Test Backpacks placed in front of the room
You may NOT go into your backpack for ANY REASON!!!
ONLY WATER ALLOWED AT YOUR SEAT!!!
ABSOLUTELY NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Must be off/silent AND in your backpack
If it rings, the entire class must retake the test
Don’t be THAT person!
You may bring a book (like you’d read for English)
No E-Readers, no magazines, comics etc.
Book must stay in the front of the room until your test is finished

4. During the Test
ZERO NOISE!! NO COMMUNICATION OF ANY KIND WITH A CLASSMATE
You may NOT hold anything up to the screen
If you need something, raise your hand
Restroom/water break?
You will be escorted by one of the proctors
Your content teacher will be with you, BUT you cannot ask them ANY questions about the test!
“Read the screen/question carefully, and choose the best response.”

5. During the Test
Think about what the answer might be FIRST, then look at your answer choices
Use the Tools to help you
Pointer: use the “mouse” icon to select answer choices
Highlighter: use the highlighter to mark up key concepts or to mark areas of the passage that pertains to a specific question.
Eliminator: mark out answers that you KNOW are NOT right so that your eye doesn’t constantly read over them.
Pencil: make marks on the test questions.
Eraser: erase highlights or pencil marks.
Help/Life Preserver: display info. about the tools on the toolbar

6. During the Test
Some questions will tell you to look for the answer choice that is correct.
Some questions will tell you to look for the answer choice that is the best.
Look for CUE WORDS
A CUE WORD is a word in the test question that tells you what to look for in the answer.
Sometimes cue words are written in all CAPITAL LETTERS.  They may be printed in bold,  italics, or underlined.

7. Cue Words Some cue words you may see on the SOL Test:
NOT           For both of these words, you are to find
All…EXCEPT     the answer that is unlike the others
Which MOST LIKELY        If you see one of these words, you are to
Which…BEST           find the answer that is the most logical
                   or makes the most sense.
LEAST        When you see this word, you are to find the
                 answer that is the least logical or makes the
                   least sense.

8. After the Test Your options include: NO COMMUNICATION OF ANY KIND:
Reading a book
Putting your head down and resting
STILL NO TECHNOLOGY
NO COMMUNICATION OF ANY KIND:
Verbal (Talking, whispering, etc.)
Sign language
Funny faces

9. Test-Taking Strategies
Try to eliminate some answer choices you know are wrong.
Use information in other questions on the test to help you.
Analyze charts and maps carefully! They contain all the information you need to answer the questions.
Use your scratch paper to make notes about reading passages as well as questions.
Read each question CAREFULLY! Make sure you know what you are being asked BEFORE you answer.
Don’t be afraid to skip a question, but make sure you answer them all!

10. Other Strategies Rely on your first impressions.
The answer which comes to mind first is often correct
Nervously reviewing questions and changing answers constantly can do more harm than good
Return to difficult questions you marked for review
Make sure you answered all questions

11. Other Strategies Keep a positive attitude.
Concentrate on the test. Don't worry about your ability, the behavior of other people, the number of questions, or even short memory lapses.
Relax as much as you can. If you're too nervous to think or read carefully, try to slow down physically. Take several slow, deep breaths. Put your head down for a minute. Then resume the test.

12. Other Strategies
Answer easiest questions first = more confidence, may find some helpful ideas for more difficult questions. 
Read each test question carefully. If you don't understand what is being asked, skip it and come back to it later.
Before you submit, review the test questions and your answers to them. Make any changes you think are important, but don't change your answers unless you have a good reason to do so. 
Think if any of the later questions gave you information that might clear up things you weren't sure about.

13. BREATHE All we ask is that you try to do your best.
Smile when it is over and believe in yourself and your abilities