Wisconsin Knowledge And Concepts Examinations

1
Wisconsin Knowledge AndConcepts Examinations
10th Grade
Wisconsin Student Assessment System
2
The Wisconsin Knowledge And Concepts
Examinations (WKCE)
are tests that
all Wisconsin students
in grades 4, 8,
and 10 are
required to take.
3
WKCE
I cant stand tests!
4
The WKCE provides

• information about how well students have learned
  academic skills and facts.
• information schools can use to improve what they
  teach.
• information the State of Wisconsin uses to
  compare schools and grade them.

5

• You cant study
  for a standardized test.
• There are strict rules
  that students and teachers must follow.
• Your scores can be compared
  with those of students
  across the nation.

6
WKCE measures knowledge
and skills in

• Reading Language Arts,
• Mathematics,
• Science,
• Social Studies, and
• Writing Assessment.

7
Reading Language Arts

• WKCE Reading Language Arts questions
  measure
• how well you understand what you read.
• how well you use language
  to express yourself.
• your vocabulary skills.
• your reference skills.

8
Reading

• WKCE reading comprehension questions
• focus on the meaning of a passage.
• require you to demonstrate that you are able to
• understand,
• interpret,
• evaluate, and
• apply
  what you read.

9
Language Arts

• WKCE language arts questions measure how well you
  have learned
• grammar,
• sentence formation,
• writing strategies, and
• editing skills.

Right.
10
Mathematics

• WKCE Mathematics questions
  measure skills such as
• computation,
• estimation,
• applied mathematics,
• number theory,
• reading and interpreting graphs, and
• measurement.

2 2 4
11
Mathematics

• Many of the mathematics problems
  require the use of
• critical thinking,
• reasoning, and
• problem solving skills.

12
Science

• WKCE Science questions come
  from the subjects of
• life science,
• physical science, and
• Earth and space science.

13
Science

• Science questions may also
  come from the areas of
• science and technology,
• science for personal and social use, and
• the history and nature of science.

14
Social Studies

• WKCE Social Studies questions come from the
  subjects of
• geography,
• history and culture,
• civics and government, and
• economics.

15
Writing Assessment

• The WKCE Writing Assessment requires
  you to
• plan,
• write, and
• edit
• an essay based on the prompt.

16
Writing Assessment

• The essay will be either a
• persuasive
• informative, or
• expressive
  piece of writing.

17
WKCE Test Dates
During the 2002-2003 school year,
the WKCE will be given between November 4th and
22nd.
Your teachers or counselor will tell you on which
days you will take sections of the WKCE.
Thats a lot of days!
18
WKCE Test Dates
Because testing will be
spread out over several days,
it is important that you
are in school every day the test is
being given.
If you are sick,
you will have an opportunity
to make up the section you
missed.
Me too!
19
WKCE Test Dates
The complete WKCE will take approximately 5 hours.
20
WKCE Self-Directed Search
The Self-Directed Search (SDS) is
a career interest survey that may be
an additional section of the WKCE. It is
not a test!
21
WKCE Self-Directed Search

• The Self-Directed Search (SDS) helps you
• learn about yourself and your educational
  and career options.
• explore education choices,
  job opportunities, and careers.
• understand skills you will need
  to achieve your goals.
• plan and make decisions about your future.

22
WKCE Scores
You will receive
2 types of scores
on each of the areas
of the WKCE.
23
WKCE Scores

• Norm-referenced scores
  tell how well you are doing
  in comparison to other 10th graders across
  the nation.

• Proficiency scores
  tell how well you are achieving the
  goals that have been set by the State of
  Wisconsin for all 10th graders.

24
WKCE Proficiency Scores

• There are 4 possible proficiency scores.
• They indicate the degree
  to which you have learned the knowledge and
  skills included in the 10th
  grade goals.

Advanced
Proficient
Basic
Minimal
25
WKCE Proficiency Scores
Aim high!
Advanced Performance - outstanding achievement
showing in-depth understanding in the subject
area content
Proficient Performance - competent achievement of
the important knowledge and skills in the
subject area content
Basic Performance - somewhat competent
achievement of most of the important knowledge
and skills in the subject area content
Minimal Performance - limited achievement in the
subject area content
26
Test Taking Skills
Test taking is a set of skills you need to

• learn,
• practice, and
• use
  in all testing
  situations.

27
Test Taking Skills

• There is a difference between
• knowing the subject information
  a test covers

• and knowing how to take the test!

28
Test Taking Skills

• Skills used
• before the test.
• during the test.
• after the test.

29
Test Taking Skills
Before The Test

• Remember,
• the WKCE is a standardized test.
• Before taking it, there are
  things you can do to prepare for it.

30
Test Taking SkillsBefore The Test

• Read the guide to help you understand the
• types of questions that will be asked.
• subject material that will be covered.
• Take any available practice tests,
  including the sample questions in the guide.

31
Test Taking SkillsBefore The Test

• Be realistic.
• There will be questions you cant answer.
  The test is written so that
  no one can get all the
  answers right.
• Know the rules of the test.
• Not following the rules can lower your score.

32
Test Taking SkillsBefore The Test

• Be physically prepared for the test.
• Get plenty of sleep the night before.
• Eat so you are not hungry.
• Bring a sweater in case the room is chilly.
• Bring any supplies you will need.

33
Test Taking SkillsBefore The Test

• Being physically prepared for the test also
  means
• being on time.

34
Test Taking SkillsBefore The Test

• Be confident in your ability to do well.
• Be prepared to work hard.
• Know what kinds of questions you will be asked.

35
Test Taking Skills
During The Test

• Put everything else out of your mind.
• Relax and forget about other people.

• Read all the directions carefully.
• Skim the test quickly
  so you will know what to expect.

36
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test

• Budget your time.
• Answer the easy questions first.
• Use all the time you are given.
• If you finish before time is called,
  check your work.

37
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
Multiple Choice Questions

• After reading the question,
  try to figure out the answer
  before you read the possible answers.

• If your answer was not one of the choices, read
  all of the possible answers carefully before
  choosing one.

38
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
Multiple Choice Questions

• Watch for qualifying words like
• usually,
• none, and
• always.
• Use the test to help you take the test.

39
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
Multiple Choice Questions

• The WKCE does not penalize you for
  wrong answers,
  so answer every question.

• If you must guess,
  make it an educated guess.

40
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
Multiple Choice Questions

• Dont change an answer
  that comes to mind first
  unless youre absolutely sure
  it is wrong.

41
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test WKCE
Multiple Choice Questions

• The WKCE multiple choice questions are scored by
  a machine so be precise in
  marking your answers.

42
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test WKCE
Multiple Choice Questions

• When taking the WKCE, select
  the BEST possible answer from the choices
  given.

43
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test WKCE
Multiple Choice Questions

• Mark only one answer for each question.
• If you change an answer, erase completely.
• Dont make any stray marks.

44
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
WKCE Writing Assessment

• The WKCE writing assessment requires you to write
  an essay on a
  specified topic that
  is given in the writing prompt.

45
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
Essay Writing

• Think before you write.
• Dont write everything you know
  on the subject.

46
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• Let the questions key words such as
• discuss,
• explain, and
• compare
• guide you as you write your essay.

47
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• Make an outline which contains the key
  
• words,
• ideas, and
• points
• you want to include.

48
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• in the opening paragraph,
  begin with a topic sentence that includes the
  key words of the writing prompt.

49
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• in each of the middle paragraphs,
  present examples, details,
  evidence, and facts to support your topic
  sentence.

50
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• in the final paragraph,
  restate your position and
  give a brief summary.

51
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• Write legibly and in complete sentences.
• Reread your essay
  and make content corrections.

52
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test Essay Writing

• Proofread your essay.
• spelling
• grammar
• punctuation

53
Test Taking SkillsDuring The Test
WKCE Writing Assessment

• WKCE essays are scored
  on a 9 point scale
  by at least 2 readers.

54
Test Taking SkillsDuring The TestWKCE Writing
Assessment

• Readers will consider how well you

• addressed the topic.
• organized your essay.
• developed your ideas.

• used appropriate
• vocabulary,
• spelling,
• grammar, and
• punctuation.

55
Test Taking Skills
After The Test

• Review your test results
  with your parents, teachers, and counselor.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Ask for suggestions on how to
• build on your areas of strength.
• strengthen your areas of weakness.

56
Remember

• Be there.
• Relax.
• Use your knowledge of the WKCE.
• Use good test taking skills.

57
Milwaukee Public Schools

• Carl Perkins School To Work Integrated
  Studies
• Claude Beale
• Project Coordinator
• 2002

Lynn Butenhoff Rita Fagan L. Lynn Krebs
Betty Lolkes Therese Trimberger