OGT TEST TAKING STRATEGIES

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OGT TEST TAKING STRATEGIES

• Dover High School
• March 10-14, 2008

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Top 5 Mistakes Students Make

• They dont take the time to read the whole
  question.
• They dont take the time to read all of the
  answer choices.
• They dont take the time to read the extra
  information given in graphs, tables, or captions.
• They dont take the time to underline or circle
  key information.
• They dont take the time to eliminate answer
  choices.

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Bottom line?

• TAKE YOUR TIME!
• You have 2 ½ hours to complete each test.

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Multiple Choice Questions

• Read the question.
• Read the answer choices.
• Read any graphs, tables, or captions.
• Reread the question. Underline key words. (You
  ARE allowed to write in your test booklet!)
• Eliminate two answers if possible.
• You now have a 50/50 chance!

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You are a PRO!

• You have had plenty of practice with Short Answer
  and Extended Response questions in each of your
  classes.
• You know what you need to do to earn your points.

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• But here is a reminder just in case you forget.

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Short Answer Questions

• Read the question.
• Identify and underline the key information.
• Decide HOW you will earn your 2 points.
• Write your answer in complete sentences.
• Reread your answer to be sure you have answered
  the question appropriately.

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Short Answer Questions

• Short Answers are worth TWO POINTS

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Extended Response Questions

• Follow the same steps as you do for short answer
  questions.
• The only difference
• Now you must decide HOW you will earn your 4
  points.

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What if I am not sure of an answer?

• Partial credit is better than NO credit!
• Do what you can.
• Partial credit is better than NO credit!
• If you can only think of one detail, write it
  down!
• Partial credit is better than NO credit!

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Sample Extended Response Question
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Scoring Rubric
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Score 0
The response gives long term consequences only
which are impossible to contrast if no short-term
effects are given.
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SCORE 1
This response names two short term effects
(burned trees/killed some animals) but no
contrast is provided.
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SCORE 2
The response gives one short term effect (plant
life died) and it contrasts it to an appropriate
long term consequence (new plants were able to
regrow).
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SCORE 3
Although it provides two short term effects
(tourists staying away/money crisis), only one
long term consequence is addressed (tourists came
back.)
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SCORE 4

• Although brief, this response gives two short
  term effects (fires scared away animals and
  tourists) that are accurately contrasted to two
  long term effects (plenty of tourists came back
  soon/animals came back).

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Final Tips

• Go to bed early.
• Be on time.
• Eat breakfast.
• Bring two pencils.
• Read everything!
• Every point counts.
• Do not leave any questions blank.
• Take your time.
• Give each question your best shot.
• Relax.