1. The writing strategy that will improve your scores on BCR tests!
R.A.C.E. to become an ACE!
The writing strategy that will improve your scores on BCR tests!

2. What is a BCR? It’s basically your written response to a question.
The acronym “BCR” stands for Brief Constructed Response.
It’s basically your written response to a question.
Used on PSAT, Gateway Tests in High School, SAT, and College Exams.

3. Why is this strategy important?
Whenever you have to answer these types of questions, it is important to gain as many points as possible.
The more parts of R.A.C.E. that you include in your answer, the more points you can earn.
As you “spell out” RACE, your response becomes more detailed and complete. (That’s a really good thing to do in order to earn points!)

4. R.A.C.E. “R” stands for RESTATE/REWORD the question.
When your response is just a matter of restating the question, then you only earn a minimum amount of points.
i.e. What color is the sky? The color of the sky is dark gray.

5. R.A.C.E. “A” stands for ANSWER the question.
When your response is a restatement of the question and a simple answer, then you only earn a couple of points.
Even though your answer may be in a restatement, you need to show how you arrived at the answer. (details)

6. R.A.C.E. “C” stands for CITE evidence
Because a BCR is meant to evaluate how well you comprehend, your answer must include specific examples from the text as support. Quotations, statistics, and examples are important in gaining more points.

7. R.A.C.E. “E” stands for EXPLAIN your answer
In addition to citing specific examples from the text, you must also include your OWN reasoning that explains how you arrived at your answer.
Sometimes, to do this you must make inferences about what you have read and draw conclusions that help to defend your answer.

8. Finishing the R.A.C.E.
Though it sounds simple, students seem to always want to take the easy (lazy) route.
Please remember that in order to earn the most points possible, a response needs to be as detailed and complete as possible.
Use this writing strategy in any content area when you are presented with constructed response questions.

9. Salt Water Marsh Ecosystem

10. Example of R.A.C.E.
BCR question: How does one organism’s removal from an ecosystem impact the entire ecosystem?
Possible Response:
Because ecosystems are built on more than one organism, there is a delicate balance in place. For example, the picture shows how the small shrimp of the maritime area serve as food for the larger animals. If those shrimp were to be taken out of the equation, then the larger animals would die from starvation. This would, in turn, cause the area to suffer and a “domino” effect would occur.

11. To Sum It All Up: R = restate (the question)
A = answer and add a detail (or two)
C = cite evidence from the text in your answer
E = explain how you arrived at your answer (inferences and drawing conclusions)