KEYSTONE EXAM TIPS & TRICKS

Basic Tips Make sure you are on the right problem. If you skip a problem, make sure you skip a line in your bubble sheet. Make sure you read all the multiple choice options before choosing an answer. You might have an “ok” answer, but not the best answer.

Basic Tips #2 You will not know the answer to every question. However, you all know more than enough to pass!! This is called “proficient.” “Proficient” does not mean getting 70% correct like in class. (The percent of questions you have to get right varies, but it is much less than 70%.) If you somehow do get every question right, men in white coats will kidnap you and take you to NASA to design rockets (at least that’s the rumor.)

“There’s more than one way to the right answer…” Draw a picture Plug the multiple-choice answers back in to the problem. Estimate! Use common sense to rule out some answers. When all else fails… guess! Do not leave any items blank!

Open Response You get credit just for trying these – even if you get it wrong. Make sure you have something written down, even if you don’t know how to finish the problem. Write down all your steps – if you did a step in your calculator, write it out in the space provided.

How will this affect my grade? Your Keystones score does not affect your classroom grade. It may appear on your report card next year. You may need a passing score in order to graduate.

What’s the worst that could happen? If you don’t score “Proficient” or above you will simply have to re-take the test next year (probably in October.) Is this a drag? Sure… is it the end of the world? No!

Any Questions?