2. Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

3. This year is the first year you will take a test called the EOG. EOG stands for End of Grade test. You will take 2 tests over 2 days. Friday will be Reading Tuesday will be Math - Calculator Inactive will be done first and then Calculator Active will be the second half of the test.

4. Here is how the EOGs work. There are 5 scores you can make on the EOG tests. They are a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. If you make a 3, 4, or 5 good for you! You passed the test. If you make a 1 or a 2 you will have to retake the test the next week. You will receive two scores after you take the tests – one for math and one for reading. If you have to retake a test, don’t worry. It does not mean that you will fail or that you are not smart. It just means that you will have another shot at doing your best on the test. The 3 rd grade teachers will help you prepare for your second chance.

5. Now here are some strategies that will help you prepare for the tests. Some are new ones to remember and some are our old friends!

6. ‘Twas the Night Before Testing Go to bed on time. Put a few number 2 pencils with erasers in your backpack. Solve family/friend problems before the testing date. Talk to your parents about any concerns that you might have about the test.

7. The Morning of Testing Start your day as you always do. Eat a good breakfast. Get to school on time. Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school. Think Positive!Think Positive!

8. Multiple Choice Questions If you do not understand the directions, ask for help. allRead the question and all answer choices before marking anything.

9. Pace Yourself Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then “Keep Moving On!!” Answers the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped.

10. Multiple Choice Questions Do not change your answers unless you are very uncertain about your first answer choice. Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can.

11. The Process of Elimination (aka Slash the Trash) After you have been through all of the questions once, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect. I know C isn’t the answer!

12. The Process of Elimination (aka Slash the Trash) If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

13. Answering Questions Don't guess blindly, but if you have time to think about the best answer choice, make it!

14. Skip, Return, Check If you finish early “Check It Out!” Check over your test to make sure you have answered all questions. Remember, “You Snooze, You Lose!”

15. Key Words (aka “Jail the Detail”) key wordsphrasesCircle or underline key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.

16. Are we communicating? Make sure you understand what the question is asking. Be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked. QAR will help you know how best to answer each question.

17. Reading Passages If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read, read the questions first first. By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.

18. “Be Smart with Charts & Zap the Maps!” cluesWhen there are several questions about a reading passage or chart, look for clues in other questions that will help you with those items about which you are unsure.

19. Math Computation When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that you have copied the problem correctly from the test booklet!

20. Math Computation Line up place value correctly on your scratch paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the answer will be incorrect.

21. Math Computation If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again. You can also “Plug It In, Plug It In” meaning you can plug in each answer choice and see which one works.

22. A Matter of Time If any time remains, spend it on those questions about which you know nothing or almost nothing. As you go back through, do not change all answers. Remember: Your first guess is usually right.

23. It’s About Time Don’t spend too much time rewriting or obsessing about neatness. Don’t worry if you run out of time.

24. Final Tips “Be a Whiz… With the Grid!” Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks. Double-check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you haven’t gotten on the wrong number.

25. The Death Grip If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil. Relax the grip and give those muscles a break. Do not do arm exercises during testing as this disturbs others.

26. Thank you, Mr. Know-it-all! it's okay not to know everythingRemember it's okay not to know everything — unlike class tests, these tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge at a grade level above your current grade.

27. Here are a few things to remember: No one knows all the answers. Tests do not tell you how smart you are. Tests are important – how MUCH you learn is MORE important. Try your best!!!

28. For Teachers Test the Best! Lesson plans and activities to prepare students for standardized tests.Test the Best!

29. Here are some songs to enjoy as you study for the EOGs Are you ready?

30. Time For Tests (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle) Time for tests where I will show Things I’ve learned and things I know. I am ready! I feel strong! When I’m careful, can’t go wrong. I worked hard the whole year through. I will show what I can do!

31. Do My Best (Tune: This Old Man) Do my best on this test! I know how. I am not stressed ‘Cause I worked, I learned and studied through the year. I’ll do well. I have no fear!

32. All Those Nights Of Homework (Tune: Itsy Bitsy Spider) All those nights of homework and all those days in school! Lots of information, lots of learning tools! I know I’m ready, I’ll do the best I can On the tests that I am taking. Oh yes, this is my plan!

33. Study the Questions (Tune: B-I-N-G-O) In 3rd grade, there is test that I have to take. It’s the EOG. It’s the EOG. It’s the EOG. EOG’s it’s name-O! On the test, there’s lots of questions that I have to study. S-T-U-D-Y, S-T-U-D-Y, S-T-U-D-Y, I study those questions. Some questions are right there and I can find them easily. R-I-G-H-T, R-I-G-H-T, R-I-G-H-T, and right there are the answer. Some questions are think and search and I can use some clues. C-L-U-E-S, C-L-U-E-S, C-L-U-E-S, and I can find the answer. Some questions are me and the author, so I figure out the answer. T-H-I-N-K, T-H-I-N-K, T-H-I-N-K, and think what the author told me. Some questions are on my own, and I use my own brain. MY-OWN-BRAIN, MY-OWN-BRAIN, MY-OWN-BRAIN is what I have to use. If I use these question clues, then I will pass my tests. T-E-S-T-S, T-E-S-T-S, T-E-S-T-S, and I will pass my tests!