Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

‘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/guardians about any concerns that you might have about the test.

The Morning of Testing

Start your day as you always do

Eat a good breakfast.

Get to school on time

Listen to all testing directions

carefully.

Think Positive!

The Sleeping Cure!

If you find yourself getting sleepy or distracted take a deep breath- hold the breath in for a count of four, then breath out for a count of eight.

This will renew your supply of oxygen allowing you to think and remember better.

Repeat this breathing exercise as many times as needed to remain wide awake and mentally fresh.

Pace Yourself

Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best, then move on.

Answer all of the easiest questions first, then make sure to go back to the beginning and answer all of your skipped questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

If you do not understand any of the directions, ask for immediate clarification.

Read the question and apply a strategy that was reviewed.

Do not change your first answer unless you are very certain about your new answer choice.

Don’t leave any answer choices blank.

The Process of Elimination

After you have read through the question, look through the answer choices and eliminate the answers that are far-fetched or obviously wrong.

You have now increased your chances to find the correct answer.

I know C isn’t the

answer! I am the

Eliminator!

Choose Wisely!The Art of Elimination!

Number of

choices

eliminated

Chances

of

choosing

the correct

answer

0 25%

1 33.3%

2 50%

3 100%

The more answers you

eliminate, the better your

chances!

Identify Key Words

Use the key words or phrases of the question to help you choose the correct answer.

Circle the key words and numbers in a difficult question.

This helps you stay focused on the central question.

Are we communicating?

Make sure you understand what the question is asking.

Be sure you are answering the question that is being asked.

More Tools- Predicting

With a reading passage, try to formulate an answer before you read the choices.

• This helps avoid choosing appealing answers that only look right.

1. Cover the answers with your hand.

2. Read the question and predict the answer.

3. Find the choice that most closely matches your prediction.

Reading Passages

When there are several questions from a reading passage or chart, look for cluesin the other questions that will help you answer the questions you are unsure about.

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!!

Math Computation

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

If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.

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.

It’s About Time

Don’t spend too much time rewriting or obsessing about neatness.

Don’t worry if you run out of time

Final Tips

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’re on the correct number.

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.

Return and Check

If you finish early, check to

make sure you have

answered all questions

correctly and to the best of

your ability.

Thank you, Mr. Know-it-all!

Remember it's okay not to know everything — unlike class tests, these tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your grade level knowledge.

Final Tips

Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks.

Relax

Read carefully

Respond with confidence