Standardized Test Taking Do Your Best On The Test

Standardized Tests ▪ Give your school information about what you have learned each year. ▪ Show how well our schools are performing. ▪ Monitor your progress as you work toward graduation, college, and career. ▪ Help you know academic areas in which you excel. ▪ Help you know academic areas in which you need to improve.

Test Anxiety ▪ It is normal to feel some anxiety about taking tests. After all, you want to do your best. Being nervous or tense can actually help motivate you. However, too much of it can be a problem.

Dealing with Test Anxiety ▪ Decide what is causing your anxiety. – Did you prepare by doing your class work and homework? – Did you prepare, but are still panicking over the test?

Preparation Can Help ▪ SAGE tests review the things you have learned all year, so it’s important to work all year long. ▪ Pay attention in class when your teacher reviews major concepts before testing begins. This will give you ideas about what to review in your notes.

Change Your Attitude ▪ Remember that the only expectation is for you to do your best and show as much of what you know as you can. ▪ Remind yourself the test is only a test – there will be others. ▪ Avoid thinking in all-or-nothing terms. ▪ Reward yourself after the test- take a moment to relax and breathe at the end of the test, knowing you have done your best.

Remember the Basics ▪ Continue to use the good habits of nutrition and exercise. Eat a nutritious breakfast or lunch before you test. – (Chips and soda are not a healthy meal.) ▪ Don’t race to the end of the test. Take your time to think about the question and the answer. Nobody wins a prize for being the first one finished. ▪ Get a good night’s sleep before testing. You can’t do your best if you are overly tired.

Basic Test Taking Strategies ▪ Read the entire question before you look at the answers or start writing your answer. ▪ For essay questions- write a short outline before you begin writing your answer. This will help you focus and not ramble. ▪ For multiple choice questions, read all of the answers first, then eliminate the most obvious. Beware of tricky qualifying words such as “only,” “always,” and “most.” ▪ Pay attention to how much time you have during your testing session. Try not to rush. Some tests can be made up if you don’t finish during the session.

Anxiety Control ▪ Focus on answering the question, not on how fast others are going or if you are going to “fail.” ▪ Use positive self-talk to stay focused. ▪ Take a few slow, deep breaths before the test and during if you feel tense. ▪ Get a drink and use the restroom before the test.

Keep Learning Even though we will finish the SAGE tests before the end of the year, it’s important to keep doing your best in school all the way to the last day. This will help ensure you are ready for next year and beyond. The Jeep has nothing to do with the lesson. I think its cool and I want one.