Test Taking tips and strategies

• Test Taking tips and strategies
• Tip 1: look for different types of questions
  
  • Pulling It Together Questions: Look for answers in different areas of the story.
  • On My Own Questions: The answer is based on information that you investigate or think of on your own. (Research or Personal Experiences) It is usually an open ended question the requires a written response.
  • Author and Me Questions: The answers include inferences (logical guesses) that you make as a reader. Your ideas and experiences help you to arrive at the answer.
  • Right There Questions: The answers are “right in” the story.
• Tip 2 : Read the directions and each question carefully
  
  • Read the directions carefully.
  • Make sure you understand each question before selecting your answer.
  • Don’t jump ahead or select an answer before you’ve read the entire question or before you’ve considered all the answer choices.
• Tip 3: DO A CLOSE “FIRST READ” OF EACH PASSAGE
  
  • The first time you read a passage, read every word. Don’t skim or skip over anything. By reading every word, you’ll learn what the passage is mostly about. On your first read, don’t be concerned with understanding every detail. Just get a sense of what the important ideas are and where they are mentioned in the passage.
  • It is okay to slow down and go back over a difficult idea, but don’t get struck. Keep moving until you come to the end of the passage.
  • Mark sections the you need to reread and then go back.
  • When rereading, underline and take notes in margins to record important information.
• Tip 4: choose answers based on what is in the passage
  
  • Multiple –choice questions are designed to test how well your read, not how much you already know about the topic of the passage.
• Tip 5: go back and scan the passage for the correct answer.
  
  • Never scan on your first read.
  • After your first read, however, the best way to find an answer is usually to scan the passage for important words that will help you answer the question.
• tip 6: choose the best answer to each question
  
  • Each multiple-choice question will have only one correct answer.
  • Make sure your choice is the best answer to the question.
• Tip 7: answer every question
  
  • Even if you are not sure of answer, you should always make your best guess.
  • Never leave a question blank.
  • Before you guess, get rid of the choices that seem to be wrong. By getting rid of wrong choices, you increase your chances of picking the right one.
• Tip 8: respond to essay questions in complete sentences.
  
  • In order to make sure your ideas are understood, and to show your language arts skills to the fullest, write in complete sentences and in your best handwriting. It is not enough to know the answer: you must make it clear to your reader.
• Tip 9: on test day, relax.
  
  • Get to bed early!
  • Eat breakfast!
  • Get to school on time!
  • Take your time and think through each answer you select.
  • Don’t panic if you don’t finish! Extra time will be given.