1. Topic = CST Test SkillsCST Test Tips Commonly Asked Questions More Commonly AskedQuestionsEnglish Strategies

2. Commonly asked questions regarding The CST 3. What is the CST? 4. What is the CST/STAR? The California Standards Test (CST) /Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) The CST test is a standardized test. Thatmeans all 2nd -11th grade public school studentsin California take the same test, at the sametime, in the same way. Approximately 1.5 million students will take theCST this year. The CST will test 4 areas English, Math,History/Social Science, and Science. 5. What will I be tested on? 6. 6th Grade Language Arts Word Analysis 13 Reading Comprehension 17 Literary Response and Analysis 12 Writing Strategies 17 Written Conventions 16 TOTAL 75 7. 6th Grade Mathematics Number Sense Ratios, Proportions, Percentages,and Negative Fractions 15 Number Sense Operations and Problem Solvingwith Fractions 10 Algebra and Functions 19 Measurement and Geometry 10 Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability 11 TOTAL 65 8. 7th Grade English Language Arts Word Analysis 11 Reading Comprehension 18 Literary Response and Analysis 13 Writing Strategies 17 Written Conventions 16TOTAL 75 9. 7th Grade Mathematics Number Sense Rational Numbers 14 Number Sense Exponents, Powers, and Roots 8 Algebra and Functions Quantitative Relationships andEvaluating Expressions 10 Algebra and Functions Multi-step Problems, Graphing,and Functions 15 Measurement and Geometry 13 Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability 5 TOTAL 65 10. 8th Grade Language Arts Word Analysis 9 Reading Comprehension 18 Literary Response and Analysis 15 Writing Strategies 17 Written Conventions 16 TOTAL 75 11. Why do we spend so much timereading and reviewing the directions? 12. Why do we spend so much time reviewing the directions? If you do not understand howto take the test, YOU couldmake a major mistake thatcould negatively affect yourscore. If you read and follow thedirections your score will behigher than if you do not readthe directions. It is as simpleas that. 13. Why do we spend so much timereviewing the directions?If you have any questions about the test ASK THE TEACHER. Its our job to answer the questions you have.Teachers cannot give you the answers, but we can explain what the test is asking you to do. 14. Can my test score be lowered if I do not bubble in my answer the right way? 15. Can my test score be lowered if I do notbubble in my answer the right way? o YES! Make sure you are bubbling in the answer completely, and not outside the lines. o Use a dark, #2 pencil. o Keep track of answers you skip . Make sure your questions and answers match up on the answer sheet. o Stop after a few questions (5,10, 15, so on) and check to make sure your test booklet and answer sheet match up. 16. Why do we have to take thesetests? The state of California wants to know how much you know compared to other students in the same grade. Your teachers need to know what you know and what you still need to learn. That way, they will be able to teach you better. 17. How well are we expected to do on the test? You should always do your best on tests and assignments. Expect Excellence! This test is what we use to decide which classes you will take next school year. You should use this to show yourself and your parents how good a student you really are. 18. How well are we expected to do on the English Language Arts CST? Scores range from 150-600 Far Below Basic Score = 6th: 150-267 7th: 150-262 8th: 150-265 Below Basic Score = 6th: 268-299 7th: 263-299 8th: 266-299 19. How well are we expected to do on theEnglish Language Arts CST? Scores range from 150-600 Basic Score = 6th: 300-349 7th: 300-349 8th: 300-349 Proficient Score = 6th: 350-393 7th: 350-400 8th: 350-394 20. How well are we expected to do on theEnglish Language Arts CST? Scores range from 150-600 Advanced Score = 6th: 394-600 7th: 401-600 8th: 395-600 Our goal is for ALL students toachieve at the Proficiency Leveland above. 21. How well are we expected to do on the Mathematics CST? Scores range from 150-600 Far Below Basic Score = 6th: 150-252 7th: 150-256 8th (General Math): 150-256 8th (Algebra): 150-252 Below Basic Score = 6th: 253-299 7th: 257-299 8th (General Math): 257-299 8th (Algebra): 253-299 22. How well are we expected to do on the Mathematics CST? Scores range from 150-600 Basic Score = 6th: 300-349 7th: 300-349 8th (General Math): 300-34956 8th (Algebra): 300-349 Proficient Score = 6th: 350-414 7th: 350-413 8th (General Math): 350-413 8th (Algebra): 350-427 23. How well are we expected to do on the Mathematics CST? Scores range from 150-600 Advanced Score = 6th: 415-600 7th: 414-600 8th (General Math): 414-600 8th (Algebra): 428-600 Our goal is for ALL students toachieve at the Proficiency Leveland above. 24. Whats the difference between myScale Score and my Raw Score? Your Raw Score is the total number ofquestions you answered correctly. Your Scale Score is the CST score that isreported You can find out how many questions youneed to answer correctly for eachperformance level by examining the CSTscore conversion table (ask your teacher) 25. Remember, this test is used tomeasure what you do know, not to make you feel stupidbecause of what you dont know. 26. More commonly asked questionsregarding the CST. 27. Getting StuckWhat should I do if Iget stuck on a question? Should I work at it fora while, or should I skipit? 28. Getting Stuck Skip it. If you dont get itwithin a minute you are wastingtime. Leave that space blank andmove on to the next problem. When you get to the end of thetest, come back and use thestrategies for guessing. If you run out of time, makesure you answer every question. 29. GuessingIf I dont know theanswer should Iguess, or is it betterto leave the answerblank? 30. Guessing Guess, but only if youdont know the answer. You are not marked downfor wrong answers, so aguess is better than ablank space. Eliminate any obviouslywrong answers first, yourchances of guessing rightare better if you do. 31. Guessing Think very carefully on questions with neverand always. Once you guess, stick with your answer. Onlychange if you are absolutely sure you arewrong. If you get 5 All or None of the above in arow.you may want to go back and doublecheck. 32. Guessing Many questions have the word not, forexample, which of the above is not anexample Be sure not to miss the word not. 33. What if there is a question wehavent covered in class? 34. What if there is a question wehavent covered in class? That is expected. The CST is designed to test statestandards and there is a LOT to remember. Since the test is administered before the end of theyear, some of the information may not have beencovered yet in your classes. Do your best on what you do know and rememberfrom class. It is okay. 35. What happens if I am sick and miss part of the test? 36. You better be really Sick! Do your best to be hereevery day. You will have to makeup the test eventually,so make it if you can. If you are too ill toeffectively take the test,stay home. 37. What about test anxiety? 38. Test anxiety! It is normal to be nervous. Just slow down and relax. Think of something peaceful. Very few people get it all right. Remember: No one, that weknow of, has ever died fromtaking the CST. Take the tests one day at a time.Concentrate on English whiletaking the Reading section andMath while taking theMathematics portion, etc. 39. Fight Test Anxiety! If you have a positive attitudegoing into the test, chancesare you will do better. Having a positive attitudewill only make you feelbetter, it cant make you doworse. 40. What can I do to be physically ready? 41. What can I do to bephysically ready? Sleep! You need to be rested and readyfor the challenge of the new day. This does not mean sleep in and get toschool late, it means go to bed earlier. Eat a good breakfast (not one full ofempty calories). Stay away from soda, candy and coffee.They will make you too hyper to take thetest. 42. How Can I Prepare For the CST? Pay attention in class Carefully work through theCST Release Test Questionsand the standards yourteachers have been goingover with you. Analyze the Released Itemsto become familiar with theformat of the CST. 43. Strategies for English Tests 44. Tip #1-Read the question first! When you read the questions first youprepare your mind for reading theselection. Study any graphs, charts and/ordiagrams. Get an idea of what the passage will beabout. Pay attention to any vocabulary wordsthey give. Write them on your scratchpaper. Make sure you understand what eachquestion is asking you. 45. Read the passage carefully! Read the selection carefully, twice if necessary. Use your scratch paper to write down any important words. Use your scratch paper to take notes about important ideas. 46. Look for Clues! Check the text and questionfor clues to the meaning. Look for relationshipsbetween words in definitionquestions. Break down large words tofigure out their meaning. Use the reading strategiesyou learned in class. 47. Answer the Questions! Eliminate any obviouslywrong answers. Choose the best answerfrom the remaining choices. Bubble in the answer onyour answer sheet; makesure you bubble in thecorrect space. 48. Analogies Open is to close as up is to Down Back is to rear as under is to Below Hand is to write as foot is to Kick -Or- bed : sleep :: chair : Sit Fish : school :: student : ClassAnalogies can be written either way. 49. Analogy Tips Figure out the relationship between the twowords; try to use them in a sentence. Choose the pair of words that best fits theoriginal short sentence. Consider all 5 choices before you pick youranswer, the first one you pick may not bethe BEST answer. Bubble in the best answer on the answersheet. 50. Sentence CompletionThe Civil War documentary did a good job of showing the ___________ of the battlefield.a) stellarb) aqueductc) carnaged) recapitulatee) asteroid 51. Sentence Completion Fill in the blank Try to answer the question first,without looking at the choices. Look at the choices, chances are theright answer will be obvious. Pay attention to key words such asnot, never, although, because,however, if, but, and since. 52. Dont Give Up Too Quickly! Dont give up without going part way. Youmay be able to eliminate some wrong answers. 53. Get Back to Basics! Many items on the test are simply checking tosee if you know what the vocabulary and if youknow how to perform basic tasks. 54. Get a Direction! ThinkWhat is this problem asking me tosolve??? ThinkWhat steps would I use to getthere? ThinkWhat tools can I use? Rememberthere are often many ways tosolve the problem. 55. Check Your Work! When you finish youre the last question, goback and check your work for carelessmistakes. Sometimes this buys you the one ortwo questions that can make a difference inproficiency level. 56. Check Your Work! The STAR portion of the CST is untimed, sorelax and enjoy! Take a deep breath, go back,and do your best. The results affect yourfuture, your school and your community. 57. If can eliminate wrong answers or if you dont have a clue...Guess! If you can eliminate two obviously wronganswers you have a 50-50 chance of guessingthe right onedo you feel lucky? 58. If can eliminate wrong answers or if you dont have a clue...Guess! Remember, guessing is not as good asreasoning out the correct answer, so tryyour best before the last resortguessing. 59. Other Strategies Thoroughly study any graphs, charts ordiagrams. ThinkWhat is this table orchart telling me? 60. Solve the problem! Use the process of elimination. Substitutein the answers until the correct answer isfound. MAKE SURE YOU USE YOURSCRATCH PAPER. DO NOT WRITEON THE TEST!!! 61. Evaluate and Check the Solution Does the solution answer the question? Does the solution make sense? In otherwords, is your answer reasonable? Check your solution among the answerchoices. 62. Evaluate and Check the Solution Remember to eliminate wronganswers if you need to guess. BUBBLE IN THE CORRECTANSWER ON YOUR ANSWERSHEET. 63. The Goal for You is to Achieve Proficiency on the CST ! All 2nd -11th grade studentswill take this exam duringthe months of April & May If we begin preparing for itnow, you are sure tosucceed. 64. Do Your Best!If you want: To have the option to choose an elective like music, theater, or dance, To have more equipment in the school, To have teachers that are happy (or at least less grumpy), To graduate with a high school diploma, To have more fun days and school trips,Then you need to . . .