Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

What We Know About the EOG Assessment for English Language Arts and Reading Format 48 questions for grade hours 6 reading passages: a balance of literature including poetry and informational text Selections are longer (some are more than 3 pages) Readability levels span from middle school through high school

What We Know About the EOG Assessment for English Language Arts and Reading Trends in Reading Skills Summarizing Central idea/main idea Meanings of words in context Author’s choice and author’s purpose Details that are “right there” Figurative language (identifying and analysis) Evidence to support claims and ideas

What We Know About the EOG Assessment for English Language Arts and Reading Questions and Tasks Reading Literature Reading Information

Questions Stems from 2013 released versions of READY EOG Assessments and Extend 2 for 6-8 English Language Arts and Reading Questions Stems for General Reading Selections  Which detail/statement supports/summarizes the central idea?  Which quote summarizes the central idea of the selection?  What can be inferred by x?  What is the meaning of the word/phrase x?  Which statement supports the author’s purpose for the selection?  Which quote supports the claim x?  Which statement from the selection supports the claim?  What is the impact of putting a word in quotations/in a heading/in italics?  How does the choice of words impact the meaning?  What impact does the author’s choice of words (in the title, a paragraph, etc.) have on the meaning of the selection?  What is the impact of x?  What explains the author’s purpose?  Which statement supports the author’s attitude?  What does the author mean by x?  Which purpose is served by paragraph # ___?  Why does the author include a particular quote?  How does the first sentence affect the reader’s understanding?

Questions Stems from 2013 released versions of READY EOG Assessments and Extend 2 for 6-8 English Language Arts and Reading Reading Literature  What does x reveal about the speaker/character?  What is the theme?  How does the first paragraph/stanza contribute to the theme/reader’s understanding?  What is the effect of figurative language?  How does setting affect the selection?  How are characters affected by the setting?  How does dialogue impact plot? Reading Informational Text  Which statement is true?  What claim by the author has insufficient evidence?  How does the author prove the claim?  Which statement is irrelevant to the claim?  Which sentence supports the assumption/assertion?  How does x refine the author’s idea?  How does the author encourage x?

What’s different about the EOG/EOC You will take the calculator inactive and active on the same day. After you finish the inactive section check it over to make sure you have answered and bubbled in all questions.

What’s different about the EOG/EOC Once you start the active section you cannot go back to the inactive section. If you go back and look at questions or change any answers it will be a misadministration! Gridded response questions are on the inactive section.

How many questions are on the EOG/EOC? Ready EOG Mathematics - Grades 6-8 Number of Questions Type of QuestionGeneralNCEXTEND2 Multiple-choice – calculator inactive77 Constructed-response – calculator inactive118 Multiple-choice – calculator active4235 TOTAL* 6050 *Each total includes 10 experimental questions Ready EOC Algebra I / Integrated I Assessment Number of Questions Type of QuestionGeneralNCEXTEND2 Multiple-choice – calculator inactive67 Constructed-response – calculator inactive128 Multiple-choice – calculator active4235 TOTAL* 6050 *Each total includes 10 experimental questions

What is on the EOG? Content Standard % of EOG Number Sense Expressions and Equations Ratios and proportional Relationships Geometry Statistics and Probability 7-12

Grid-In Questions

Calculators No one can help you with a calculator question or issue during the EOG. If your calculator is not doing what you want-clear it and try again – 2 nd -0 – 7 – 1 – 2. If your calculator dies-raise your hand and you can get a new one.

Social Studies MSL’s(Measure Student Learning) StandardMultiple Choice Constructed Response History 13% - 24%0% - 5% Geography13% - 24%0% - 5% Geographer Tools 3% - 14%0% - 5% Economy 6% - 18%0% - 5% Civics & Government13% - 24%0% - 5% Culture 10% - 21%0% - 5% Total Percent of Items87% - 92% 8% - 13% Total Percent of Score75% - 80%20% - 25%

Social Studies MSL’s(Measure Student Learning) Score 0 – No response or the response does not address the prompt Score 1 – Identifies only one of the three requirements of a level three performance Score 2 – Fulfills only two of the three requirements of a level three performance Score 3 – Identifies the Quran, Arabic, and one lasting impact.

Social Studies MSL’s(Measure Student Learning) ParagraphGraphicNumber/Bullet The Quran is the holy book of Islam. It has traditionally been written in Arabic. This has resulted in Arabic being a recognized and spoken language throughout the world. 1 Book = ______________ 2 Language = ______________ 3 Effect = ______________ The Quran is the Holy Book of Islam The Quran was written in Arabic Arabic is spoken across the globe Example Question: They will be asking the students to do 3 things. Each item is worth 1 pt. Using the excerpt below, identify the holy book of the Islamic faith, the language in which it was originally written, and a lasting impact of this relationship.

6 th Grade Science MSL (Measure of Student Learning) MSL’s, often referred to as Common Exams, are assessments that will be used to measure student academic growth in subjects not currently assessed with state end-of-grade assessments.

Brief summary of the May 2013 MSL for 6 th Grade Science Topics: Waves, Matter, Energy, Solar System, Lithosphere, Plants, Ecosystems Format: Question TypeTotal Percent of Score Multiple Choice80%-90% Constructed Response10%-20%

Sample: Constructed Response Question: Soil composition is important. What is one contributing factor for why soil composition can vary from one location to another? Explain your answer. Score 0No response or the response does not address the prompt Score 1Fulfills only 1 of 2 requirements of a level 2 performance Score 2Identifies a contributing factor as to why soil varies from one location to another; provides an explanation for how that contributing factor causes soil to vary

‘Twas the Night Before Testing Go to bed on time. (get at least 8 hours of sleep) Put a few number 2 pencils with erasers in your backpack. Solve family/friend problems before the testing date. Talk to your parents about any concerns that you might have about the test.

The Morning of Testing Eat a good breakfast. Think of what you will do to relax after you get home from school. Think Positive!Think Positive!

Multiple Choice Questions allRead the question and all answer choices before marking anything.

Multiple Choice Questions Do not change your answers unless you are very uncertain about your first answer choice. Answer every question-no answer counts as a wrong answer. Make the most intelligent guess you can.

Pace Yourself, Don’t Rush Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then move on. Answers the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped. Don’t worry if others finish before you. Focus on the test in front of you.

The Process of Elimination After you have been through all of the questions once, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect and cross them out. I know C isn’t the answer!

The Process of Elimination If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

Answering Questions Don't guess blindly, but if you have time to think about the best answer choice, make it!

Key Words key wordsphrasesFind key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.

Skip, Return, Check If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions.

Math Computation When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that you have copied the problem correctly from the test booklet!

Are we communicating? Make sure you understand what the question is asking. Be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked.

Math Computation Line up place value correctly on your scratch paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the answer will be incorrect.

Math Computation If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.

A Matter of Time If any time remains, spend it on those questions about which you know nothing or almost nothing. As you go back through, do not change all answers. Remember: Your first guess is usually right.

It’s About Time Don’t spend too much time rewriting or obsessing about neatness. Remember you can get extra time so don’t rush! You have 4 hours total to take the math EOG.

The Death Grip If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil. Relax the grip and give those muscles a break. Do not do arm exercises during testing as this disturbs others.

Final Tips Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks. Double-check the question number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you are bubbling the correct problem.

Thank you, Mr. Know-it-all! it's okay not to know everythingRemember it's okay not to know everything — unlike class tests, these tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge.

Scores Since this year is the first year for the new EOG, scores will not be available until the fall (around October). Teachers cannot tell you if you passed or failed yet.

Good Luck! Relax and don’t stress! You are prepared and I know you will do well! Created by Stacey Johnson Information from and jc-schoolshttp://