TEST-WISENESS STRATEGIES FOR SCIENCE SOLs BIOLOGY

The best way to do well on a test is to know the material The best way to do well on a test is to know the material. However, when faced with questions you cannot answer, a combination of test-wiseness skills and relevant partial knowledge can help you to navigate through multiple choice tests.

When taking an SOL test Read carefully and focus on the instructions. Utilize any and all study strategies during the test. Feel in control of the test and self-talk and “test-wiseness” can help. Make informed choices (guesses) on the questions not known. Either answer or come back to a question later if it proves too difficult initially.

1. Read the question and try to answer it BEFORE looking at the answers. Statements of what is expected to happen in the future based on past experiences and observations are _____ . A. Conclusions B. Problems C. Data D. Predictions Read the question. Think of what the answer could be. What would make sense and complete the sentence?

2. Make sure you look at all the answers before choosing: Which of the following substances form a basic solution when dissolved in water: A. NaOH B. Dish detergent C. Baking soda D. all of the above Even though (A) is true, B, and C are also true, therefore (D) is the correct answer. It is important to read all the answers, and not just take the first correct answer you see. Even though (A) is true, B, and C are also true, therefore (D) is the correct answer. It is important to read all the answers, and not just take the first correct answer you see.

3. Do not spend too much time on any one question. Sometimes the question will seem to have no right answer: Similarly, if a question is too hard, or you just do not know the answer, skip it and come back when you have completed all the questions you do know. Use whatever time is left over at the end of the test to tackle these difficult questions.

4. Do not keep changing your answer. Sometimes a question may seem to have more than one correct answer. Choose the answer that seems best to you and move on to the next question. Do not keep changing your mind. Only change your answer if you are absolutely sure you made a mistake. (For example, if another question on the test reminds you of the correct answer.) Research shows that your first choice was probably the right one. Most people who change their answers will change from a correct one to a wrong one.

5. If there are graphics in the question, solve the problem using the graphic before looking at the answer choices. You may not know anything about the equivalence point, titrations or indicators, but from the graph you can see that the equivalence point has been labeled – it is 8.5, from the accompanying table you will see that only one indicator falls in that range. If you look at your answer choices, by the process of elimination you can figure out what the answer is. Try it! The answer to question 3 is (J)

The graphic shows that many particles went straight through the gold foil, so from that we may conclude that atoms are mostly empty sapce

6. Look within the SOL question for a clue or key word to the correct answer Even if you do not know what the question means, the answer is probably (D) because it repeats a form of the word "nuclear", which is a key word in the question.

7. Look within the test for answers to other questions

7. Look for negative words in questions. “NOT”, “EXCEPT”, “FALSE” The EXCEPT is confusing – get rid of it!

Cross out EXCEPT Strike 3 responses that matches the stem. All of these are natural events that could alter an ecosystem EXCEPT - The burning of fossil fuels Wildfires Floods Volcanic activity Strike 3 responses that matches the stem. - What is left is the correct answer

9. Look for cue words – tells you what to look for in the answer. - Most - These words tell you to find the - Best answer that makes the most sense - Least - This word tells you to find the one which makes the least sense or is least logical

Answer the following question – remember to choose the answer that makes the most sense The question refers to students in the same class with the same symptoms – Which answer choices can we eliminate?

Here’s a question with both a graphic and a cue word

10. If two alternatives have similar meaning, choose neither. In this question, which two answer choices can be eliminated?

11 . Be on the look out for answers with absolute words. These words have no exception. It is either 100% correct or 100% wrong. Answers with these words in them may indicate an incorrect answer. There will be exceptions to this rule. For example: All elements in group one have one valence electron in the outer energy level. This would obviously be a correct answer.

Examples of absolute words all always every just only never none no not must

Final Tips Do not spend too much time on any one question. After you have finished the test, go back to those questions you circled as being too hard or as having no right answer. If you have absolutely no idea what the answer is, choose (C). Answer every question

Remember to: Relax Stay calm, Read very carefully Take your time –The test is untimed Use your strategies Answer every question And guess wisely when you have to guess!