Mastering the HSPE Test Test taking strategies August 2010

The Reading Test Use pre-reading strategies: Examine the title, source, photos, illustrations, charts, graphs, and items in bold. Examine the title, source, photos, illustrations, charts, graphs, and items in bold. Think about your background knowledge. Think about your background knowledge. Think about questions you may have about the topic. Think about questions you may have about the topic.

The Reading Test Use reading strategies: Make predictions Make predictions Make connections Make connections Ask questions Ask questions Make objections Make objections Write all over the test! Write all over the test!

The Reading Test Use reading strategies: Stop and re-read parts that are confusing Stop and re-read parts that are confusing Summarize the content every few paragraphs Summarize the content every few paragraphs Predict where the article or story is heading every page Predict where the article or story is heading every page

The Reading Test Use post-reading strategies Summarize the whole piece Summarize the whole piece Think about author’s purpose, main idea, intended audience, and tone Think about author’s purpose, main idea, intended audience, and tone

Read the following practice test. Use your pre-reading, reading, and post-reading strategies “Eruptions in Paradise” by Joel Simon “Eruptions in Paradise” by Joel Simon

Short answer/Extended Response Stay inside the lines provided for you. You can write small, or write two lines of text per line provided, but writing that goes beyond the lines won’t be read. Stay inside the lines provided for you. You can write small, or write two lines of text per line provided, but writing that goes beyond the lines won’t be read. Answer the question! Be sure you’re not just providing details, but also writing a clear answer. Answer the question! Be sure you’re not just providing details, but also writing a clear answer. Provide at least one more detail than the question requires. This way your graders have no doubt that you know what you’re talking about. Provide at least one more detail than the question requires. This way your graders have no doubt that you know what you’re talking about.

Short answer/Extended Response Look back at the reading passage to verify your answers and pull specific details from the text. Look back at the reading passage to verify your answers and pull specific details from the text. Write! Try to fill all of the lines with your answer, details, and explanation of those details. Often the lowest short answer grades are one-two sentences. Write! Try to fill all of the lines with your answer, details, and explanation of those details. Often the lowest short answer grades are one-two sentences.

Try the short answer section of “Eruptions in Paradise.”

Multiple Choice Read the question before you look at the answer. Read the question before you look at the answer. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. This way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. This way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you. If you don’t know the answer, always take an educated guess and select an answer. Don’t leave any questions blank. If you don’t know the answer, always take an educated guess and select an answer. Don’t leave any questions blank. Don't keep on changing your answer. Usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question. Don't keep on changing your answer. Usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question.

Multiple Choice The test is designed for you to go back to the text to find your answer. Don’t guess; look for the correct answer in the story or article. The test is designed for you to go back to the text to find your answer. Don’t guess; look for the correct answer in the story or article. Circle or underline important words in the question. This will help you focus on the information most needed to identify the correct answer choice. Circle or underline important words in the question. This will help you focus on the information most needed to identify the correct answer choice. Read all the answer choices before selecting one. It is just as likely for the last answer choice to be correct as the first. Read all the answer choices before selecting one. It is just as likely for the last answer choice to be correct as the first.

Multiple Choice Cross out answer choices you are certain are not correct. This will help you narrow down the correct answer choice. Cross out answer choices you are certain are not correct. This will help you narrow down the correct answer choice. Look for two answer choices that are opposites. One of these two answer choices is likely to be correct. Look for two answer choices that are opposites. One of these two answer choices is likely to be correct. Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test. The correct answer choice may be hinted at in another question or section. Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test. The correct answer choice may be hinted at in another question or section.

Try the multiple choice section of “Eruptions in Paradise.” Do not forget to think about exactly what the question is asking.

The Writing Test For both expository and persuasive essays, be sure to: For both expository and persuasive essays, be sure to: Pre-write Pre-write Write a rough draft Write a rough draft Write a final draft Write a final draft Proofread Proofread Go over the writing checklist Go over the writing checklist

Prewriting Use your TAPF strategies to identify topic, audience, purpose, and form. Use your TAPF strategies to identify topic, audience, purpose, and form. Brainstorm ideas to write about Brainstorm ideas to write about Brainstorm reasons to support the topic you select Brainstorm reasons to support the topic you select Create an outline – see if your topic and reasons have enough specific details to support them. Create an outline – see if your topic and reasons have enough specific details to support them.

Identify TAPF for the following 2005 WASL prompt: You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation. You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation.

Then, brainstorm a list of topics You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation. You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation.

Choose a rule. Brainstorm a list of reasons that support your topic. You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation. You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation.

Now, write an outline: thesis, 3 reasons, and 2 specific details for each reason You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation. You have been asked to be on a committee to review your high school’s rules. Choose a rule that needs to be revised, added or eliminated. Write a multiple-paragraph letter to your principal persuading him or her to adopt your recommendation.

Preparing Eat a healthy breakfast. Having protein in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus. Avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress. Eat a healthy breakfast. Having protein in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus. Avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test and try to stay relaxed. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths. Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test and try to stay relaxed. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths. Remind yourself that you are a good reader and a good writer. Positive statements to yourself can help you perform well. Remind yourself that you are a good reader and a good writer. Positive statements to yourself can help you perform well.

On Test Day Get to class early so you can select a seat, organize your materials, and get relaxed. Be prepared with pencils, paper, dictionary, thesaurus, etc. Get to class early so you can select a seat, organize your materials, and get relaxed. Be prepared with pencils, paper, dictionary, thesaurus, etc. Don't talk about the test to other students before you begin; this can easily make you nervous. Don't talk about the test to other students before you begin; this can easily make you nervous. Be comfortable but alert Choose a good spot and make sure you have enough room to work. Maintain comfortable posture; don’t slouch. Be comfortable but alert Choose a good spot and make sure you have enough room to work. Maintain comfortable posture; don’t slouch. Take a few deep breaths and to relax tense muscles. Repeat throughout the test. This process will help you to stay relaxed and to make more energy available for remembering, thinking, and writing. Take a few deep breaths and to relax tense muscles. Repeat throughout the test. This process will help you to stay relaxed and to make more energy available for remembering, thinking, and writing.

On Test Day Get the big picture. Survey the entire test before you answer any questions. This will help you to get an overview of what's expected and to strategize how you will take the test. Get the big picture. Survey the entire test before you answer any questions. This will help you to get an overview of what's expected and to strategize how you will take the test. Get the big picture Get the big picture Read directions carefully. Ask questions if you don't understand or need clarification. Read directions carefully. Ask questions if you don't understand or need clarification. Do a quick "mind dump" of information you don't want to forget. Write it down on scrap paper or in the margin (literary terms, TAPF, outline format, etc.) Do a quick "mind dump" of information you don't want to forget. Write it down on scrap paper or in the margin (literary terms, TAPF, outline format, etc.) Answer the easiest questions first. This will help boost your confidence. Answer the easiest questions first. This will help boost your confidence. Stay relaxed and confident. Remind yourself that you are well-prepared and are going to do well. Stay relaxed and confident. Remind yourself that you are well-prepared and are going to do well.

Reviewing Don’t rush! There’s no reward for being done earlier than your classmates. Don’t rush! There’s no reward for being done earlier than your classmates. Take the time to review your test when you’re finished. Make sure that you have answered all of the questions, you have offered specific details, and your answers are clear to the reader. Take the time to review your test when you’re finished. Make sure that you have answered all of the questions, you have offered specific details, and your answers are clear to the reader. Proofread your writing for spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Proofread your writing for spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Go back and change answers to questions if you originally read them incorrectly, or if you have encountered information elsewhere in the test that indicates that your first choice is incorrect. Go back and change answers to questions if you originally read them incorrectly, or if you have encountered information elsewhere in the test that indicates that your first choice is incorrect.

Dealing with Stress Maintain a positive attitude. Think about doing well, not failing. Think of the test as an opportunity to show how much you have learned. Maintain a positive attitude. Think about doing well, not failing. Think of the test as an opportunity to show how much you have learned. Stay relaxed during the test. Taking slow, deep breaths can help. Focus on positive self- statements such as “I can do this.” Stay relaxed during the test. Taking slow, deep breaths can help. Focus on positive self- statements such as “I can do this.” Don’t worry about other students finishing the test before you do. Take the time that you need to do your best. Don’t worry about other students finishing the test before you do. Take the time that you need to do your best. Once you finish the test and hand it in, forget about it until your scores come back. Once you finish the test and hand it in, forget about it until your scores come back.

Dealing with Stress Approach the exam with confidence: Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: vizualization, logic, affirmations, etc. Approach the exam with confidence: Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: vizualization, logic, affirmations, etc. Think about only the next question you have to answer. Don’t worry about the whole test. Think about only the next question you have to answer. Don’t worry about the whole test. Bring a snack to keep your stomach full and to keep your mind off your nerves. Bring a snack to keep your stomach full and to keep your mind off your nerves. Think of this exam as a challenge, a time to show off what you have learned. Think of this exam as a challenge, a time to show off what you have learned.