1. Test Order Strategy for the STAAR English I EOC
Disclaimer:
The following is the opinion of Ms. Harrison, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of other English 1 teachers at Keller High School:

2. Test Order
In case you don’t know—you have 5 hours to complete this test, and may complete it in any order you wish. Consider the following order, for the following reasons:

3. FIRST:
Go directly to the writing prompt and brainstorm your essay. Rationale: Start thinking about the essay for the first time while you are rested and fresh! (It’s a 5 hour test, people—and it’s easier to brainstorm while you still actually have a brain.)

4. SECOND: Read and complete the Passage-Based Reading Questions
Rationale: First of all, the reading questions require more focus on the passages—and at the beginning of the test, you’ll have more focus.
Also, while you’re reading writing by professional authors, these models could provide inspiration for your own writing such as:
Style
Transitions
Vocabulary/Diction
Sentence structure

5. THIRD:
Now that you are inspired--Write a rough draft of your essay! Rationale: Your active brain has already brainstormed, and your passive brain has been considering ideas—even though you may not realize it. Also: While they are fresh on your brain and before you are too fatigued—get those ideas down on paper—but don’t write on the lined paper yet!—It’s just the rough draft!

6. FOURTH:
Now, complete the Writing Multiple Choice Questions! Rationale: It’s later in the test and these questions require less focus on the deeper meanings of the passages, and more on smaller elements such as sentence combination, comma placement, fragments, etc…… Also—you’ll be reminded of errors that you can correct in your own writing……

7. FIFTH………..
Now that you have an idea of some things you might be able to correct:
-Make Revisions and Write the final Draft
of your essay on the 26-lined paper!
Rationale: Your passive brain has been thinking about the essay for a while now—It is the end of the test, but much of the hard work is done. Now you’re only fine-tuning it.