Test Taking Strategies

It is now the season for test prep! Teachers and students all over the country are preparing for or taking their state mandated exams. Assuming that the content is under control, I have been thinking about test taking strategies. I have some that I have compiled from some different sources. If any of you have other things that you like to use, please post!

1. Practice. Practice tests help students and teachers identify areas where improvement is needed. Allow time for students to take full-length versions of the released tests. Optimally, this should be done at least a month before the test to allow for time for targeted review.

2. Read the directions carefully. It may seem obvious, but some students completely ignore the instructions, skim them or don't listen as they are read. Help your students break this habit.

3. Write on the test. Students should be active test takers. They should always work on the test paper. This helps cut down on the guessing in a multiple choice formatted test.

4. Look for "turn words". Show students how to pay close attention to words that change the initial meaning of a question. Look out for "except", "not", "at least", "at most", and "all of the following".

Additionally, there is a good "during the test" strategy to help students learn how to tackle the test and how to check it over when they are done. We always tell our students to check over their work, but they don't always understand what we mean. Some of them will simply check to make sure they have bubbled properly. While this is a good thing to do, it is not the only thing that can help.

Taking the test:

1. The first "pass". While students take the test, have them code each problem. A "√" next to a problem means that they are confident they got the right answer. "Circled" items are shaky. They may have been able to eliminate answer choices, but they are not sure they have it right. A "?" next to the problem means that they have no clue how to solve the problem or answer the question.

2. The second "pass". After completing the test, the student goes back to circled items only. The goal is to give this problem the level of the "√" problems. With fresh eyes, the student may be able to eliminate choices or remember a formula they had previously forgotten.

3. The third "pass". The third time through is the time to deal with the "?" items. The goal is to be able to apply some knowledge to the problem. If nothing can be done, students either guess or leave the item blank based on the format of the test. If the format does not penalize wrong answers, the student should guess. Help your students choose a wise letter. If "C" is the most popular answer on most of the tests, the student should choose "C" for all of their guesses.

I hope you find this useful. Please share more strategies that have worked for you and your students.

Treva

Resources: How to Thrive as a Teacher Leader by John G. Gabriel; The 3-pass system, Leander ISD, Leander TX