1. Check Out the HSPA
Juniors 2013
YOU CAN DO IT!!!

2. Day 1 of the Language Arts Literacy Section of the HSPA
10 Multiple Choice questions
2 Open-ended items
1 Writing Task
Day 2
10 Multiple Choice
2 Open-ended items
1 or 2 Writing Tasks

3. What can I do to prepare for the HSPA?
Get a good night’s sleep.
Dress comfortably.
Eat a good breakfast.
Get to school on time.
Bring your own calculator to class for Day 1.
Be familiar with the content and format of the test.
Understand the question; look for key words.

4. March 5th Math March 6th Literacy Day 1 March 7th Literacy Day 2
When is the HSPA?
Tuesday
March 5th Math
Wednesday
March 6th Literacy Day 1
Thursday
March 7th Literacy Day 2

5. What if I’m absent? Make Up Dates Tuesday March 12 Math Wednesday
Lang. Arts/Lit Day 1
Dates
Thursday
March 14
Lang. Arts/Lit. Day 2

6. Unless you are dying, come in and take the TEST!!!
WHEN IS THE HSPA?
Tuesday, March 5 Mathematics
Wednesday, March Language Arts Literacy (Day 1)
Thursday, March 7 Language arts Literacy (Day 2)
What if I am absent?
The makeup dates are given on the following Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Unless you are dying, come in and take the TEST!!!

7. Test: 2-21/2 Hours Sleep How long is this test?
Like the woman said in Walgreen's Drug Store,
it DEPENDS.
It can be the short form, about 2 hours long each day,
or the longer form, about 2 1/2 hours long each day.
Test: 2-21/2 Hours
Sleep

8. YOU CAN DO THIS! Writing Sections Writing to Persuade
60 minutes long
Write in response to a current controversy related to a school issue, a community issue, an interpersonal issue or a societal issue.
Responses might be in the form of a letter, a formal essay, an editorial or a speech.
Expository Writing
60 minutes long
Read a prompt and explain something.
Explain with an experience, a reaction, and allusions to something we all know.
If asked to take a position on a topic, treat it like a persuasive essay.
It could be a letter or a formal essay using persuasive essay structure
YOU CAN DO THIS!

9. Reading Section: Reading and Narrative Text Time: 50 minutes
You will read a previously published narrative story and answer
10 multiple choice questions
2 open-ended questions

10. Strategies for Effective Reading
Quickly look over the text and the questions(not answer choices), about 30 seconds.
Read the text and mark important words or sections with your pencil.
Go ahead and mark up the test booklet all you want. No one will read it.
Answer the questions. Some will be literal answers, some will be related to outside situations or ideas.
Cross off wrong answers in the multiple choice section.
Do not waste time on too difficult questions,; think twice, answer and move on.
Pay careful attention to the wording; sometimes you are asked to pick the BEST or MOST LIKELY answer.
Watch out for that NOT like the others answer.