Test Taking Strategies TAKS Multiple Choice

Strategies  Read Question carefully before you begin eliminating answers  Make sure to read through every answer choice even if you think 1 st or 2 nd is correct  Cross through the each answer you know is incorrect  Avoid Absolutes- always, never, every, none

Strategies Continued  In “all of the above” or “none of the above if you know one choice is either correct or wrong then do not choose all or none choice  As you go through each answer cross through the ones you know are incorrect  Choose answer that agrees grammatically Example  A and an = singular  Are = Plural

If you have to guess!!!  Choose the longest answer if others are much shorter  Choose from among familiar items  Choose neither of the similar answers  If opposite answers are given as choices one of them is often the answer

Why are TAKS Skills important?  On the last TAKS Release test 31 out of 50 questions were based on Skills.  That means you can almost pass the TAKS Test just by answering all of the skills questions correctly

Coach Derrick, Why is it good that the TAKS test is mostly skill based?  1. Because on a skills question you can narrow it down to the correct answer without a shadow of a doubt.  2. On a skills question the answer is on the paper in front of you, You just have to take the time to find it  2. Often times a skills question will not require prior knowledge.

How do I get a skills question correct?  1. Do not look at question or answer choices until you have Read the title Looked at legend, key, X axis, Y axis etc.. Look for patterns Ask yourself what the map or chart is trying to tell me Draw conclusion about map, chart etc… Then look at the question that goes with it

How do I get a skills question correct? Continued  Take your TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are not limited by time Take time now, Pass it and you don’t have to take it again next year.

Strategies Continued  Always use a highlighter on skills questions  Make a box and every time you know a question is right make a hash-mark in the box

Your Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  To Pass you should shoot for 45 out of 60 questions correct  To Be Commended you should shoot for 57 out of 60

Go out and SWAT the TAKS Good Luck