1. 1 Focusing on the FCAT Test-Taking Strategies Grades 6-8 Nancy E. Brito, Department of Assessment briton@palmbeach.k12.fl.us 561-357-7521, PX47521 briton@palmbeach.k12.fl.us Information based on Florida Department of Education, Keys to FCAT

2. 2 What is the objective of this presentation?  To provide participants with test-taking strategies to improve performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)

3. 3 How to prepare for the FCAT  Learn how to answer each type of question  For multiple-choice questions, read each question carefully and think about the answer or solve the problem before you select your answer from the choices provided.  Answer questions you are sure about first. If a question seems too hard, skip it and go back to that question later.  There is no penalty for guessing; therefore, it is best to try to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct answers. Grades 6-8 – All subjects

4. 4 How to prepare for the FCAT  Think positively. Some questions may seem hard, but you may be able to figure out how to respond if you read the questions carefully a second time.  Be sure to completely fill in the answer bubbles in your test book or answer document. Do not make any stray marks around the answer spaces.  Check to make sure the test question number matches the answer choice number on the answer document. Grades 6-8 – All subjects

5. 5 Grade 6 Reading and Mathematics

6. 6 How to prepare for the FCAT  Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the passage to find the correct answer to the question.  Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not on something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the passage again.  Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.  Check your answer. Grades 6 – Reading Multiple Choice Questions Sample question

7. 7 How to prepare for the FCAT  Read the question carefully.  Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the choices given.  If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem again, if necessary.  You are not required to show your work for MC questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.  Check your work. Grades 6 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions Sample question

8. 8 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 6 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions  Read the question carefully. Then use an appropriate strategy to answer the question.  You are not required to show your work for GR questions. However, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have answered the question, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly and match each other.  If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number. See sample question on the next page.

9. 9 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 6 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions

10. 10 Grade 7 Reading and Mathematics

11. 11 How to prepare for the FCAT  Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the passage to find the correct answer to the question.  Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not on something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the passage again.  Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.  Check your answer. Grades 7 – Reading Multiple Choice Questions Sample question

12. 12 How to prepare for the FCAT  Read the question carefully.  Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the choices given.  If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem again, if necessary.  You are not required to show your work for MC questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.  Check your work. Grades 7 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions Sample question

13. 13 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 7 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions

14. 14 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 7 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions  Read the question carefully. Then use an appropriate strategy to answer the question.  You are not required to show your work for GR questions. However, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have answered the question, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly and match each other.  If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number. See sample question on the next page.

15. 15 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 7 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions

16. 16 Grade 8 Writing, Reading, and Mathematics

17. 17 How to prepare for the FCAT  Read the prompt carefully and completely. The prompt gives you suggestions that may help you begin your writing.  Use the planning sheet to list and organize your ideas for writing. Plan to include examples and details in your response. Budget the time you spend planning. The writing on the planning sheet will not be scored.  You have 45 minutes to read, plan, and write your response.  Only the writing on the lines provided in the writing folder will be scored. If you have time left, check your work and make corrections to improve your writing. Grades 8 – Writing Essay Sample prompt

18. 18 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Reading Multiple Choice Questions  Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the passage to find the correct answer to the question.  Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not on something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the passage again.  Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.  Check your answer. Sample question

19. 19 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Reading Performance Tasks The clues below apply to both Reading Short Response (SR) and Extended Response (ER) Questions  Read: Read the passage and then read the question or each part of the question carefully. Make sure you understand the question before you begin to write your answer. Look back at the passage as often as necessary to answer the question completely.  Think: Plan your answer before you begin to write. Reread the parts of the passage that contain important information. Make sure that you include support from the passage in your answer.  Explain: Explain your answer clearly in writing. If the question has several parts, answer every part of the question. In your answer, be sure to include details and information from the passage, not from another source. You may not need to use all of the lines provided. This is okay as long as you provide a complete response.

20. 20 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Reading Performance Tasks The clues below apply to both Reading SR and ER Questions  Be sure to keep your writing inside the box.  It should take about 5 minutes to answer each SR question and 10–15 minutes for each ER question. Use as much of the recommended time as you need.  Answer as much of the question as you can because partially correct answers may receive credit.  When you have finished, reread the question and your answer to make sure your answer is clear, accurate, and thorough. See Sample on the next page.

21. 21 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Reading Performance Task Question - Short Response Questions

22. 22 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Reading Performance Task Question - Short Response Questions

23. 23 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions  Read the question carefully.  Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the choices given.  If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem again, if necessary.  You are not required to show your work for MC questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.  Check your work. See Sample on the next page.

24. 24 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions

25. 25 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions  Read the question carefully. Then solve the problem.  You are not required to show your work for GR questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have solved the problem, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly and match each other.  If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number. See sample question on the next page.

26. 26 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions

27. 27 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Mathematics Performance Task Questions The clues below apply to both Mathematics SR and ER tasks.  Think: Read the question carefully. Think about and analyze what you are being asked to do. Make sure you understand the question before you begin your work.  Solve: Begin solving the problem using an appropriate strategy. Be sure to determine what information is relevant to the problem and what is not.  Explain: Solve the problem and write the solution or its explanation as directed. Be sure to answer each part of the question.  It should take about 5 minutes to answer each SR question and 10–15 minutes for each ER question. Use as much of the recommended time as you need.

28. 28 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Mathematics Performance Task Questions The clues below apply to both Mathematics SR and ER tasks.  Be sure to keep your writing inside the box.  “Think, Solve, Explain” questions require you to show your work.  Answer as much of the question as you can because partially correct answers may receive credit. Sample questions on the next page

29. 29 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Performance Task Questions – Short Response

30. 30 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Performance Task Questions – Extended Response And…

31. 31 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Performance Task Questions – Extended Response

32. 32 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Science Multiple Choice Questions  Read the information provided and the question carefully.  Study any pictures, charts, and/or tables presented.  Look at the answer choices and determine the information and/or procedures needed to find the solution.  Reread the question.  Choose your answer and fill in the bubble to match your choice.  Check your work.

33. 33 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Science Multiple Choice Questions

34. 34 How to prepare for the FCAT Grades 8 – Science Gridded Response Questions  Read the information and the question provided. Then solve the problem.  You are not required to show your work for GR questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.  Once you have solved the problem, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly and match each other.  If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number. See sample question on the next page.

35. 35 How to prepare for the FCAT Sample Grades 8 – Science Gridded Response Questions

36. 36 Hard work and effort lead to victory! Be prepared to take the FCAT!