Playing and Winning the Testing “Game”

FoundationsMs. Johnson

“Psyching Out” the Test Tips• Understanding the unwritten

rules of a test mean reading between the lines to determine what the teacher thinks is important and how the teacher wants you to answer specific types of questions

• Its vital to know all the class rules, even if some aren’t directly stated

• School is very much like a video game, the only difference is that there is no restart button, so you have to make sure to play wisely and well from the beginning

• There are often ways to tell what is going to be asked on a test before you head into a test

• Teachers will often give you cues that alert you to what they are going to ask, and tuning into their signals is part of successful test-taking– So stop zoning out

and pay attention to the cues

“Psyching Out” the Test Tips

1. Pay attention to what the teacher spends more time on

2. Ask your teacher for what you need for testing

3. Learn how to speak your teacher’s language

4. Clarify directions and concepts with your teacher

Pay attention to what the teacher spends more time on

• Odds are when a teacher spends a lot of time on one particular topic, it will more than likely be on the test

• By paying attention to what interests your teacher before a unit test, you will develop a natural method of psyching out the test

Ask your teacher for what you need for testing

• If you are in good graces with your teacher, your tests will most likely go better– For example, you may need to take a break

during a test, and if the teacher knows you are a hard worker he/she may allow that

• Some other accommodations you may want to ask ahead for:– Break up tests and get time extension– Having the teacher read you the questions aloud– Walking around during a test– Taking tests in a separate, less distracting room

Learn how to speak your teacher’s language

• The key to asking for what you need from teachers is learning to speak their language

• When you need help with something, ask clearly for what you need, but also show the teacher you have been working hard–Have questions already prepared instead of

the usual “I don’t get this!”– This shows the teacher you want to do well

Clarify directions with your teacher

• THIS IS SO IMPORTANT– Many students go astray when they don’t

ask what the teacher is looking for (papers, assignments, tests, etc.)

• If you are dealing with a major assignment, make sure you are on the right track

• Make notes on major assignments so you know all the crucial pieces you need to include

• BE SURE TO READ DIRECTIONS ON TESTS CAREFULLY– Read the directions and questions

completely– Pay attention to key words in the

questions– While a teacher cannot give you answers

on a test, he/she can clarify what the test asks for and if you are on the right track

Maintaining Focus and Concentration While Studying

Maintaining Focus and Concentration While Studying Tips

1. Unplug (yes, again)2. Engage in frequent, short periods of

misery (aka studying)3. Reward yourself4. Try to find a creative way to

approach problems5. Use your favorite learning strategy6. Study after exercising

Unplug

• To compensate and save your academic life, you must at times unplug. (your generation is overtly addicted to technology, so this can be hard for most).

• If you know that you cannot study without constantly checking Twitter and Instagram, give yourself a peaceful hour or studying by putting your phone in another room

• Some students find it easy to concentrate while listening to music, but make sure its music that is not going to distract you further

Engage in frequent, short periods of misery

• If you just absolutely dread studying, break it up into short, frequent sessions

• Don’t cram everything in at once, you will only stress yourself out more and you won’t be able to retain the information

• Everything goes more smoothly when you take time to process the information

• Find little pockets of time to study• Avoid studying with the TV on

Reward yourself

• Canine principles apply to people too• After each study session (one you actually

worked hard during), do something afterwards that is a reward for you– Ex. It’s 7pm and you know your favorite show

comes on at 8:30, study hard until then, and consider the show your reward• A light at the end of the tunnel essentially

– This also motivates you to finish your studying in a timely manner

Try to find a creative way to approach problems

• For example, if you have to study vocabulary, make some matching flashcards and create a memory game

• Finding a way to make your studying creative and fun helps you retain the information both quicker and better

Use your favorite learning strategy

• Use your favorite study strategy from when you learned your specific learning style

• Studying in a way that is curbed to your specific learning style helps you maintain your focus

Study after exercising

• Exercise makes the brain more receptive to new information– Doing some sort of exercise relaxes the body

and curbs restlessness

• Exercising also releases those “feel good” chemicals in the brain, and can therefore make studying seem like less of a chore

• Don’t confuse it with doing an hour long gym sesh though, just a quick jog or some jumping jacks

How to Calm Down and Not Rush

How to Calm Down and Not Rush Tips

1. Build breathing into your technique2. Find ways to slow down during the

test3. Use a pencil to highlight and cross

out

Build breathing into your technique

• Before you even get the test, practice breathing deeply (this can significantly lower your stress, much like yoga)

• Remember, don’t spend the time before a test trying to cram in the information…it doesn’t work

Find ways to slow down during the test

• If you feel like you are rushing through a test, put your pencil down, take a moment and reread the questions before you answer them

Use a pencil to highlight and cross out

• Classic scenario: you are working through a test and you feel like you’re acing it, you get your score and you failed because you failed to read the directions/problems wrong

• To avoid this: UNDERLINE THE QUESTION– While this seems simple, it forces you to slow down

and to read the questions carefully

• Slow down enough to understand what the question is asking you for

• Pay attention to key words like EXCEPT and NOT• Cross out incorrect answer choices

Bubbling

• Some students have experienced the worst nightmare on standardized tests that require bubbling– They knew a lot of the answers, but did poorly because

their bubbling was off– Filling in the wrong answer or getting off track is a

common problem

• Be sure to mentally tell yourself which question you are on each time you answer– “this is question one, I am bubbling in number 1 on the

answer sheet”

• Very simple technique that makes sure you get the score you deserve after all your hard work of studying

Is There Any Way to Enjoy Studying?

Is There Any Way to Enjoy Studying?

1. Make studying/test-taking into a game– Celebrate your victories and learn

from your losses

2. Remember that you have an excuse to reward yourself

3. Take advantage of fun projects4. Try to find a connection between

the schoolwork and yourself