1. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE1 Standardized Testing Clinic June 22, 2010 Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Presented by Javad M. Khazaeli, Esq.

2. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE2 What You Already Know Standardized tests are stupid No Child Left Behind is a pain Teaching to the test is a bad idea Testing is a reality that affects your job

3. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE3 Standardized Tests They do not test intelligence They do not test comprehension They do not test retention So what do they test?

4. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE4 Standardized Tests Biases  Sex  Test Prep  Southern Illinois vs. St. Louis vs. the Coasts  My rate  Wealth

5. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE5 The ACT – Structure 5 Sections  English – 75 Questions; 45 Minutes  Math – 60 Questions; 60 Minutes  Reading – 40 Questions; 35 Minutes  Science – 40 Questions; 35 Minutes  Writing – OPTIONAL; 30 Minutes  English/Writing Score (1-36)  Writing sub score (2-12)

6. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE6 The ACT – Structure Scoring  Each section graded from 1-36  Total score is average of 4 sections  Score rounded up to the whole

7. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE7 The ACT – Structure There is NO PENALTY for guessing The quickest way to make a student’s score increase is to have the student SLOW DOWN The ACT is a test against time

8. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE8 The Science Section Reading and chart interpretation intensive 7 passages, 40 questions 3 types of passages  Charts  Experiments  Comparing views 4 answers for each question Science

9. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE9 The Science Section ORDERING PASSAGES FROM EASIEST TO HARDEST IS THE KEY SHOULD NOT DO PASSAGES IN ORDER DO EASY QUESTIONS BEFORE HARDER QUESTIONS Science

10. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE10 Charts – Spotting 3 chart passages appear Passages have charts students need to interpret Each passage has 5 questions These are the easiest Science passages Science

11. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE11 Charts – Strategies Do these passages first The written introduction should only be read to clarify a question (vocab) – usually it is a waste of time to read this Do the questions that have charts in them first Always go back to the passage to find the answer Science

12. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE12 Experiments – Spotting 3 experiments passages appear Passages have experiments students need to interpret Each passage has 6 questions Some of these passages are chart heavy Science

13. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE13 Experiments – Strategies Identify the chart heavy experiment  Do these after the chart passages  Use the same strategies as chart passages  Do the questions that deal with the 1 st experiment first, 2 nd experiment second, and so on  Do the questions that compare experiments last Do non-chart heavy experiments last Science

14. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE14 Experiments – Strategies for Non-Chart Heavy Passages Do these last (if you have time) Do the questions that deal with the 1 st experiment first, 2 nd experiment second, and so on Do the questions that compare experiments last Once again, the introduction is usually superfluous Always go back to the passage to find the answer Science

15. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE15 Comparing Views – Spotting 1 comparing views passage appears Passages have two or more scientific theories Each passage has 7 questions These look like reading passages Science

16. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE16 Comparing Views – Strategies Do this passage 3 rd, after the chart heavy experiments but before the non-chart heavy experiments The introduction SHOULD be read for this passage Chart out the argument Always go back to the passage to find the answer Science

17. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE17 Comparing Views – Strategies Read the first view; then answer any question that relate to the first view ONLY Next, do the same for the 2 nd view and so on Finally, do the questions that compare the views Science

18. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE18 Ordering Passages Charts Chart Heavy Experiments Comparing Views Non-Chart Heavy Experiments Don’t be afraid to not finish But always bubble in everything!!! Science

19. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE19 The Math Section 60 questions 60 minutes Speed test Questions generally get harder towards the end All questions worth the same 5 answers for each question Math

20. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE20 The Math Section Do questions in order Guess and move on Answer choices go from smallest to largest or vice versa SLOW DOWN to make sure you get the easy questions; guess if you don’t have time on the hard questions Math

21. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE21 The Math Section Calculator allowed So let them use it on your tests Makes sure they know how to use it Check batteries Math

22. Section Breakdown Pre-Algebra (23%) Elementary Algebra (17%) Intermediate Algebra (15%) Coordinate Geometry (15%) Plane Geometry (23%) Trigonometry (7%) Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE22

23. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE23 Algebra – Guesstimate Two step answer with NO ALGEBRA Plug in the middle number If it works, pick it If not, is it too big or too small? If too big, plug in one of two remaining small choices (vice versa) Correct pick, wrong pick other Math

24. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE24 Algebra – Guesstimate Math

25. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE25 Algebra – Guesstimate Middle choice is 4 2/3 Plug in $45 (4 2/3) + $30 = $240 TOO BIG Eliminate H, J, K Plug in one of the others – 4 $45 (4) + $30 = $210 If it was wrong, then you know it must be last remaining choice Math

26. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE26 Algebra – Plug In Two step answer with NO ALGEBRA Plug in the middle number If it works, pick it If not, is it too big or too small? If too big, plug in one of two remaining small choices (vice versa) Correct pick, wrong pick other Math

27. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE27 Algebra – Plug In Math

28. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE28 Algebra – Guesstimate Middle choice is 74 Plug in 72 + 73 + 74 +75 +76 + 77 = 447 CORRECT Math

29. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE29 Geometry – Guesstimate Figures are drawn to scale unless specifically stated otherwise See question 5 See question 25 Draw out all geometry word questions Math

30. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE30 TRIG – SOHCAHTOA Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse Tan = Opposite/Adjacent Math

31. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE31 Standardized Test Strategies NEVER leave any blanks Better to go slowly and guess on the hard ones than to speed through haphazardly Use several dull #2 pencils Cross out wrong answers, write correct answers in margin Bubble in groups until 5 minutes remain

32. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE32 Standardized Test Strategies Avoid sucker questions – e.g. “not enough information” Dress in layers Do not talk about the test during breaks Always go back to the passage to find the answer

33. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE33 Resources “Preparing for the ACT” HS guidance office usually have several practice ACTs including the one we took today www.act.org Contact me at khazaeli@gmail.com