1. Test Taking Strategies

2. General Tips for Taking Tests
Be positive!
Breathe in, breathe out…relax.
Arrive early
Have a pencil and any other material you need for the test
Write your name
Read the instructions
Listen to last minute instructions from the teacher
Look over the test before you begin. See what types of questions, how many and pace yourself
Do not spend too much time on difficult problems. Come back to them if you have extra time at the end
Always read the entire question slowly and carefully, do not assume you know what it is going to be asked
Don’t worry if others finish before you
When you finish, look over the test and make sure it is complete
Write neatly

3. Matching Test Strategies
These tests usually require you to match words in one column with phrases
or definition in another column
Read all directions. You may have to write the answer by the number. You usually do not draw lines to match them.
See if there are the same number of choices in second column as there are in the first. If there are more in the second column you will not be using all the choices.
If there are the same number of choices start with reading the sentence then scan the words to find the match. It is easier to scan the short column then read each phrase every time.
If there are more choices in one column than another, start with the column that has fewer choices.. That way you won’t spend time trying to find an answer that has no match.
Do the ones you know first; this eliminates some of the answers and makes it easier to guess if you need to later
When you make a match, cross it out so you won’t try to use it again.
Write your answers clearly and neatly.

4. Matching Test
Please complete the matching test. Use your notes to help you.

5. True-False Test Strategies
Read ALL directions
If a statement has any of the following words it is usually going to be false (only, all, none, always, never, every) There are exceptions
These words usually indicate true statements; some, usually, seldom, probably, mainly, often, sometimes, rarely, except
Look carefully at the sequence of the statement. The facts may be correct, but they may be out of order
For a statement to be true the entire statement must be true, not just a part
If you don’t know the answer mark true, there are generally more true than false statements.

6. True-False Test
Using your notes, please complete the True- False test.

7. Fill-In-The-Blank Test Strategies
Read the first statement. See if you know the answer w/o looking at the choices. If you then look and your answer is there, you were correct
Answer the questions you know first, then go back and do the rest
Sometimes there may be more words to choose from then there are statements, in this case you won’t be using all the words
Write the answer clearly so it can be read
Cross out the words as you use them

8. Fill-In-The-Blank Test
Using you notes please complete the fill-in- the-blank test.

9. Multiple Choice Test Strategies
First try to answer the question w/o looking at the choices
Eliminate the ones that you know are wrong
Choose the answer that makes the most sense to you
Usually your first choice is the correct one
Guess if you are unsure, it is better to guess than leave it blank

10. Multiple Choice Test
Using you notes please complete the multiple choice test.

11. Essay Read directions carefully
Pay attention to whether you are suppose to answer all essay questions or just some of them
Make sure you know what the question is asking, if you don’t know ask the teacher
Use your time wisely
Write neat and in complete sentences
Make sure you answer all parts of the questions

12. Essay Test Question Example
Who was Christopher Columbus, where did he come from and what did he discover at the end of his voyage?
There are actually 3 questions in this one essay question. Make sure all are answered.