PIRATE

1
PIRATE

• The Steps Of The
• Test-Taking Strategy

2
Step 1 Prepare to Succeed

• Go to bed on time and eat breakfast
• Write PIRATE on the test
• Say affirmations (pep talk)

3
Step 2 Inspect The Directions

• Read directions carefully
• Underline what to do and where to respond
• Notice special requirements
• Ex. Bold faced words like EXCEPT, more than one
  question within the question, application

4
Step 3 Read, Remember, Reduce

• Read the whole question
• Read all answer choices
• Remember what you studied
• Reduce the choices
• 50/50, opposites, off the wall, which one is not
  correct

5
Answer or Abandon

• If you know the answer, write it.
• If youre not sure, abandon the question for the
  moment

6
Turn Back

• Go back to abandoned items at the end of the
  test
• Tell yourself to earn more points

7
Estimate

• Estimate unknown answers using the sub-strategy
  ACE
• Avoid absolutes ( e.g. All, Never)
• Choose the longest or most detailed alternative
• Eliminate identical alternatives

8

• P Prepare to Succeed
• I Inspect the Directions
• R Read, Remember, Reduce
• A Answer or (Skip) Abandon
• T Turn Back
• E Estimate

9
Be a PIRATE when you take tests and come through
with the best