Preparing for Tests

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Preparing for Tests

• Information from Super Study Skills by Laurie
  Rozakis, PhD, Scholastic 2002.

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Test Success Starts With

• Knowing the test format
• Finding out the test content
• Getting clarification
• Studying with others
• Reviewing previous tests
• Taking good notes
• Use any review sessions to your advantage

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A Study Plan
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More Preparation Suggestions

• Get ready the night before
• Get a good nights sleep
• Eat breakfastnot too heavy or sugary
• Wear comfortable clothes
• Physical exercise can wake you up
• Leave early so you wont be late
• Remind yourself you have studied and do the best
  you can!

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Test Checklist

• Check the board for any further instructions
• Read the test directions thoroughly
• Write your name and other important info
• Check for extra test requirements
• Spend the most time on the sections that count
  the most
• Budget your time

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Words of

• Read through the questions carefully
• Dont waste time figuring out patterns
• Go with the obvious/logical answer
• Find out if guessing is okay
• Proofread your answers

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• Some questions will be more difficult than others
• Dont worry if others finish before you
• Got stuck?
• Brain blurp?
• Times up?

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After the Test (no A? its okay)

• What was your biggest problem area?
• Did you run out of time?
• Misread questions?
• Study the wrong material?
• Not study enough?
• Can you prove the answer is correct?

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Studying for Specific Tests T/F

• Watch for absolute words
• always, all, all the time, constantly, everyone,
  never, none, not at all, no one
• Sample
• A sentence fragment is never acceptable in
  writing.
• Water always freezes at 32 Fahrenheit.
• (both are false)

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More True/False

• All parts of the sentence must be true
• Example
• Cows that only graze in open pastures and receive
  personal grooming produce the milk highest in
  butterfat content.
• (falsethe only was the cautionary absolute
  that nullified the statement)

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Another T/F sample

• Watch for false logic. Two sentences can be true
  but the connecting word can render the statement
  false.
• and, but because, since, for, nor, or yet, on
  account of, still, further, due to
• Sample
• President Lincoln is famous because he was
  assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.
• (Answer Falsewhile both parts are true, there
  is more to Lincolns fame than the Booth
  assassination)

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Multiple-Choice Questions

• Watch out for the words not, except, best
• Sample
• Which is not a source in which you would find
  about the speed of light?
• science textbook
• encyclopedia
• travel brochure
• educational Web site
• (Answer is C. Travel brochures give
  information about places to visit, not scientific
  facts.

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Matching Test Questions

• Read the answer list
• Mark off answers as they are used
• Sample
• _____1. desert a. very flat land
• _____2. hill b. a building or statue
  expressing honor
• _____3. island c. a drawing of a
  place
• _____4. monument d. A dry place with little
  rain
• _____5. mountain e. land surrounded by water on
  three sides
• _____6. ocean f. land that rises
  above the land around it
• _____7. peninsula g. Low land between hills or
  mountains
• _____8. plain h. Land completely
  surrounded by water
• _____9. valley i. a very large body
  of salt water
• _____10.map j. the highest kind of land
• (1.d, 2.f, 3.h, 4.b, 5.j, 6.i, 7.e, 8.a, 9.g, 10.
  c)

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Fill-in-the-blank

• Insert a possible choice in the blank and
  eliminate what doesnt make sense
• Sample
• A _________ is a person who leaves their country
  to live in a different land.
• suburb b. settler c. state d. leader
• (Answer B. A suburb and state are not a person.
  That leaves settler or leader. A leader can come
  from another country, but that is not the primary
  definition for leader. Settler is the best choice)

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Checkpoints

• Check carefully for spelling in the answer.
• Check capitalizationit can make a difference.
• Check the grammar status.
• Recheck your answer so that it makes sense.

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Tips for Math Tests

• Try to estimate the answer.
• Draw out the answer.
• Rephrase the word problems.
• Use the expected format.
• Show all your work.
• Check your answers.
• Use common sense.

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Standardized TestsThese tests have some
significant differences from other tests.

• Questions are often arranged from the easiest to
  the most difficult. Budget your time.
• You may or may not know the material.
• Bring what you need, and then some.

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Essay Tests

• First, read all the directions.
• Who is your audience?
• What is the purpose of the prompt?
• How long should the essay be?
• How much time do you have to write?

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Essay helps

• Write down the key words to prompt.
• Prompt
• Summarize the key events in the French
  Revolution.
• Key words summarize (short account), key events
  (those that had strong influence), French
  Revolution (particular time period)

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More essay helps

• Determine the response. Look for clue words
  recall, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, classify,
  determine, explain, support, assess, describe.
• Sample prompt
• Are computers being overemphasized in our school?
  Explain your answer.
• Describe your favorite literary character. Use
  support from a book featuring this character.
• Analyze the events leading up to the 1930s
  Depression. Determine which event contributed
  most to creating the Depression, and then support
  your thesis with specific historical references.

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The Writing Process for Essay Tests

• There are three main steps
• Planning
• Drafting
• Revising

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Final Essay Checklist

• Focus
• Content
• Organization
• Style
• Mechanics