General Tips for Taking a Science Test Resource: Buckle Down Missouri EOC, etc

Tip 1: Read the question carefully. In a well-written test item, the stem (question, statement, or paragraph) will set a definite task. Ex. Organelles help maintain proper functioning within a cell. Which of the following organelles helps control protein manufacturing? A. Neurons B. Ribosomes C. Carbohydrates D. Chloroplasts What’s the task in the item above? What can you rule out? **Increasing your odds on a single item may not seem like much of an improvement, but increasing your odds throughout the entire test may make the difference between passing and failing. The stem asks for an organelle. The organelles are specific bodies within a cell. A neuron is a type of cell, and a carbohydrate is a molecule. Therefore, A and C are not correct choices. You’ve now got a 50/50 shot at picking the right answer (much better than the 25% you had originally!)

Tip 2: Read all responses before making a final choice. Don’t automatically select the first answer choice that looks good to you. Make sure you read all the choices before deciding which one is correct. Ex. What is the organelle that is responsible for housing photosynthesis? A. Chlorophyll B. Mitochondria C. Chloroplast D. Lysosome What do you think a common incorrect response is? What should the answer be? Students will often times pick “chlorophyll” because it’s listed first and they know it has to do with photosynthesis. However, since the question was asking for the organelle, the correct answer is C.

Tip 3: Narrow your choices by recognizing any obviously wrong responses. When two opposite responses appear, quickly find the one that is least likely to be correct. This will give you fewer choices to consider. Once you decide that a response is incorrect, do not consider it again. Ex. Exergonic reactions are those that _____ energy. A. Require B. Release C. Double D. Diminish What can you immediately eliminate? Which two responses are the opposites? Hopefully students will note that C and D have never really been discussed. If not, or in addition, students will hopefully notice A and B are opposites. Therefore, one is the likely answer and one must be wrong.

Tip 4: If no response can be crossed off, do not guess immediately. If you come to an item and don’t have any idea what the right answer is, mark an “X” next to that item (if paper test) or make a note on your scratch paper and go on. Sometimes the correct answer will occur to you while you are reading a different item. When you have finished the test (before you submit it for grading), go back over any marked items. Why else would this be a good idea? Sometimes answers to questions are actually embedded or “hidden” in other questions. Remind students of this.

Tip 5: Do not leave any blanks. There usually is no penalty for incorrect answers on a science test, but don’t just blindly guess until after you have tried everything else by following the tips above. *No, it’s not a good idea to try to find a pattern in the answers. *No, it’s not a good idea to make a pattern in the answers.

Tip 6: Look closely at what you’re told or shown on the page. Some questions may ask about an experiment, problem, or picture of some sort. Often, you will be able to find answers in the picture, table, graph, or passage that appears with the question. You will likely need to call on your own science knowledge, too. Remember to start with what’s right in front of you when you’re looking for an answer.

Tip 7: Answer every extended- response question. If an extended-response question seems to difficult for you and you’re not sure how to answer it, write something anyway. You may know more about the topic than you think, and you may at least get partial credit for your answer. Should you write some random thing like “IDK”? Why not? Point out to students that writing random things like “IDK” or “I have no idea” or “space monkeys” (or some other peculiar answer you’ve seen written on a test over the years!) is the same as leaving a question blank as far as points go. BAD IDEA!

Tip 8: Use your best handwriting. You won’t get any extra points for nice handwriting, but you will probably get zero points if a scorer can’t read your answer! Ex. If a question is a true/ false question (ex. unit test), don’t make a “T/F” combo: Same goes with multiple choice responses!

Tip #9: In questions with “arrows”, that arrow can be read as “to”. The following cell structures are located within cells that make proteins: nucleus, ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Which description best explains the relationship among these cell structures in making a protein? A. Nucleus makes protein  protein winds through the ER protein folds into its active shape B. Nucleus directs ER to assemble the protein ribosomes surround protein protein folds into its active shape C. ER creates protein DNA in the nucleus codes for ribosomes to surround protein protein folds into its active shape D. DNA in nucleus codes for protein protein assembled in ribosomes and moves to ER protein folds into its active shape