Taking Tests

How to score your best on any standardized test

“Solve family/friend problems before the testing date.

Talk to your parents about any concerns you may have about the test.

Put a few number 2 pencils with erasers in your backpack.

Go to bed on time.”

The night before the test…

The morning of testing

Start your day as you always do.

The morning of testing

Eat a good breakfast.

The morning of testing

Think of what you’ll do to relax

after you get home from school.

The morning of testing

Think positively.

In the classroom

Relax

Ask for help with directions

The teacher is there to help you

The test is based on California State Content Standards

You have already studied most of the material you will see on the test

If you don’t understand

the question, ask for help.

Read the question and ALL the answers before marking anything

Pace yourself.Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best then move on.

Answer the easiest questions first

Go back to skipped questions later

Multiple Choice Questions

Do not change your first answer unless you are VERY sure you’ve made a mistake.

Multiple Choice Questions

Answer every question.

Make the best guess you can.

Eliminate answer choices you know are wrong.

If you can eliminate two answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

Don’t guess blindly.

Think for a full minute, then choose

your best answer.

Skip, Return, Check

Always check to

make sure you’ve

answered all the

questionsSkip, Return, Check

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT

THE QUESTION IS ASKING.

MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER THE

QUESTION THAT IS BEING ASKED.

Find key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.

Reading Passages If the test requires you to read

passages and then answer questions about what you read…

Read the questions first.

Reading Passages With several questions about

a reading passage or chart…

Look for clues in the other questions.

Math computation

When using scratch paper, double-check that you’ve copied the problem correctly.

Math computation

Line up place values correctly.

Math computation

If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the problem closely and try solving it again.

3 final tips…

Fill in bubbles fully

Write neatly

Erase stray marks

andremember…

You don’thave to knoweverythingto do well on

a standardized test