TEST TAKING SKILLS

Read and understand all instructions before beginning the test. Look for words like ALL, ONLY, TWO OUT OF THREE Take practice tests under the same test and time conditions Sometimes you may have to guess. Go with your first instinct. More often than not, it is correct If you are stumped and “all of the above” is an option, take it

TEST TAKING SKILLS Never leave an answer blank The answer to a question may be another question or an answer on the same test If you have a question about the test, ask the teacher or proctor On matching tests, gently cross out used

TEST TAKING SKILLS Review right up to test time. Do not confuse reviewing with cramming The best way to review for a test is to keep up with the material on a daily basis Form a study group (with smarter people than you) Put a ? next to the questions you do not know and come back to that question later Use the test to take the test

TEST TAKING SKILLS MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS Read the test question and predict your answer before looking at the answers If you do not have a clue, “all of the above” is a good guess Identify words in the question such as not, except, false, incorrect, cannot, only…… Cross out obviously wrong answers One answer will be completely wrong, one answer will be wrong, one answer will be very close and one answer will be correct

TEST TAKING SKILLS FILL IN THE BLANK TESTS Ask the teacher if a word bank will be provided If you have a word bank, gently cross out answers you have used Spelling is likely to count—be careful Make sure you understand the question being asked Guess ONLY if you have to—partial credit may be given

TEST TAKING SKILLS If you have to guess, take you best guess and come back to the question if you have time Most fill in the blank answers are nouns—persons, places and things. If the word before the blank is “a”, the answer will begin with a consonant. If the word before the blank is “an”, the answer will begin with a vowel The length of the blank may be a clue to the number of words or the length of the answer

TEST TAKING SKILLS TRUE/FALSE TESTS True false tests are great! You have a shot at a right answer Absolutes such as always, all, every, only, none and never will indicate the answer is false Words such as some, usually, seldom, probably, sometimes, mainly, often, except and rarely indicate a true answer Write your T’s and F’s clearly Read the entire question. DO NOT get lazy and think you know the answer

TEST TAKING SKILLS ESSAY TESTS Write short legible paragraphs. Clear and precise sentences are the way to go Volume, quality, clarity, neatness and appearance all count Answer the question that is being asked. Stay on topic Always start each paragraph with a topic sentence that restates the question being asked Look for words such as describe, list, explain or persuade.

TEST TAKING SKILLS Do what is asked! Organize your thoughts by creating a quick list of ideas you want to write about Answer all parts of the question Answer the high point questions first