Test Taking Strategies Review

Tips on Sourcing Remember to always look for sourcing information The source may not always give you the answer, but it will help you open the right filing cabinet

Tips on Multi-Step Questions Some questions are divided parts so make sure that you are also dividing the answer into parts Some questions also require you to take steps to get to the answer You may have to open the whole “file” to create an answer to the question

Tip of Reading – Political Cartoons Look for a title Read the caption Name tag the people Identify the message of the political cartoon before reading the question/answer choices

Tips on reading – TABLES Read the title. Read the headings of the columns and rows. Many questions involving tables require you to interpret information, compare and contrast, and make an inference. Be sure to examine each of the answer choices and determine which is accurate based on the table.

Tips on reading – PIE CHARTS Graph Title: Read the title of the graph. The title gives an overview of the information displayed in the graph. Sectors--Each sector represents one part of the whole. The size of each sector represents its fraction of the whole. Sector Labels--The label of each sector indicates the category of information it refers to, and may also give numeric data (often a percentage) so we know the size of each sector.

Tips on Reading - BAR GRAPHS Read the title. Examine the legend. Examine the information on the horizontal axis. Examine the information on the vertical axis. Be sure to test each statement for accuracy.

Tips on Reading - Graphics Read the title to determine the subject of the graphic. Find and study the headings on the rows and columns. Find the source of the information on the graphic.   Study the information on the graphic and draw conclusions

Tips on reading - MAPS Read the map title. Check the map notes.  Study the map key.  Find the map compass.  Examine the map scale

Tips on reading – LINE GRAPHS Read the title. Read the vertical and horizontal axis's. A line graph consists of a series of points connected by a line. Each point usually represents a quantity of something at a specific moment in time. A line graph shows how one or more things have changed over time.

Tips on reading - Statements Read the question first Underline key words in the question Read each statement and compare it to your key words If it doesn’t match up, cross it out as a potential answer choice

Tips on reading – Questions

Tips on reading – Posters/Pictures Put a name tag on anything that you can Read the question Try to answer the question using the picture/poster without looking at the answer choices Match your answer to the possible answer choices