1. Welcome May 5 th  Come in QUIETLY and write down your HW. Take out your index cards and number them 1-20 in the top right and corner. Please do this NOW!!!! Today’s Assignment…. *Define ALL of the key terms on page 376 *Read pages 376-382 *Complete Study Guide

2.  We will use 10-15 minutes of class time daily to study these key points to use for your success on the EOG TEST!!!!!  Daily you should take your index cards/flash cards out and write all of the tips down.

3. Reading Directions and Questions Reading Directions and Questions  Read the directions carefully. Look for words like all, none, and except. These can throw you off.  Understand what the question is asking before trying to complete the answer. If you don’t understand the question, chances are you’ll answer the wrong question.  Use your test booklets to help you! Circle and underline words in the question or directions that help you to answer the question. Write in your test booklet.  Read each question and answer carefully. If you don’t understand something, read it again.

4. Marking Answers on the Answer Sheet  Check periodically (every five answers and at the bottom of each row) to see that item numbers and answer numbers match.  Use a piece of paper lined up under each row on the answer sheet. This will ensure you are on the correct number and not accidentally skipping a line.  If you skip a question, then also skip the answer.

5. Marking Answers on the Answer Sheet  Put a light mark next to skipped items on the booklet AND the answer sheet. This will remind you to go back and answer those questions.  Don’t erase mistakes too hard, and don’t redraw erased circles. This may cause holes in the answer sheet and make it hard to score.  Watch for stray marks on the answer sheet. These can be picked up by the computer as the answers and cause you to miss questions you should not miss.  The computer will count your answer incorrect if two circles have pencil marks in them.

6. Marking Answers on the Answer Sheet  Don’t erase mistakes too hard, and don’t redraw erased circles. This may cause holes in the answer sheet and make it hard to score.  Watch for stray marks on the answer sheet. These can be picked up by the computer as the answers and cause you to miss questions you should not miss.  The computer will count your answer incorrect if two circles have pencil marks in them.

7.  Read each item completely and all of the answer choices before choosing an answer.  There are usually a couple of choices that sound correct; but don’t be tempted to mark the first one that sounds good.  Check back over your answers at the end of testing. Sometimes, you can make silly mistakes, and you’ll catch them when you look back over your answers. Check your work!  Students miss the easy questions as often as the hard questions because they do not read the questions carefully. The questions all count the same. Be extra sure you get the easier ones correct!

8.  Make sure you answer every question. If you don’t, you are guaranteed to miss the ones you skip.  Read all of the answer choices before answering. One of the choices might include more than one answer. For example: both A and B.

9. Eliminating the Wrong Answers  Test booklets in which students have a large number of elimination marks receive higher scores than those with few or none. Use the process of elimination to help you have a higher score. Cross out wrong answer choices as soon as they are read. Pick your answer from the remaining options. If you eliminate two answers as being incorrect, you have a 50/50 chance of getting the right answer.  Make logical and reasonable guesses – perhaps the choice with the most information provided. If you don’t know the answer completely, use the partial knowledge you have about the question and answers to help you.  A couple of the answer choices usually look like they could be correct. Choose the best answer.

10.  Focus on one question at a time; avoid looking ahead at other questions. This can make you feel overwhelmed.  Try not to feel rushed and anxious. If you begin to think about all you have to finish in an amount of time, it can make you feel too stressed and make it hard to focus on what you are doing. As long as you don’t waste your time, you will have plenty of time to complete the test.  Don’t worry about other people in the room. We all work at a different pace, and finishing first does not make you do better.  Keep moving through the test. Skip questions that are giving you trouble. When you finish, go back and retry any skipped questions. Don’t spend too much time wrestling with one question

11. Relaxation Techniques  Take a deep breath, hold it and then slowly release the breath and the tension. Repeat until your body relaxes.  Make an effort to relax. You have learned this information. Most people get nervous. It’s natural. Just do your best.  Think positively. Some problems may seem hard to you, but you may be able to figure out what to do if you read each question carefully.  Don’t get frustrated. The test is designed so that the middle part of the test is actually the hardest. Do not get frustrated and give up during this part of the test. It will get easier. Don’t give up.

12. Testing Environment  To provide a positive testing environment for all, avoid tapping your pencil or fingers, etc…This can be very distracting to others in the room testing with you. They may tend to focus on you rather than the test.  Go to the restroom and get water before the test. You should not have to leave the room during testing for any reason.

13. Before the Test  Don’t stay up late. You don’t need to feel sleepy during testing. Getting a good night’s sleep has been proven to help you stay alert and perform better on tests.  Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast before school starts each day of the test. Feeling hungry during testing can really distract you. Having a full stomach can help you to do your best.  Try to have a positive morning before coming to school and once you arrive at school. Problems hanging over you can make you lack focus.  Wear a comfortable or favorite outfit each day. This will build confidence and help you feel comfortable as you take the test.  Increase water intake to hydrate your brain throughout the weeks leading up to EOG.  Don’t miss school unless you are really ill.