Preparing for Standardized Tests

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• Preparing for Standardized Tests

Ms. Chapman Secondary Literacy Coordinator
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Multiple ChoiceHints for Success

• Always read the whole question carefully.
• Read the question before you look at the answer.
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer.
  
• Eliminate answers you know aren't right.
• Take an educated guess and select an answer.
• Don't keep changing your answer.
• Usually your first choice is the right one,
  unless you miss-read the question.
• If you don't know an answer, skip it and come
  back later.

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Sample Multiple Choice

• In the passage, why was there a great deal of
  fuss about the identities of the characters in
  the grammar book?
• A. Statements such as He is Dan are made up of
  simple words.
• B. The characters were difficult to tell apart.
• C. Test questions often concerned the identities
  of the characters.
• D. It was difficult for the narrator of this
  passage to remember English names.

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Important Information on Writing

• The writing items account for 67 of the total
  score
• Always complete
• writing items
• first!!!

Reading 48 MC pts. 25
Reading 48 OR pts. (OR values are doubled) 25
Writing 16 MC pts. 8
Writing 80 Writing pts. 42
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Guide to Answering the Constructed (Open)
Response

• Grammar and sentence structure do not count.
• Nothing outside the box will be graded.
• Use bulleted lists, graphic organizers, or
  paragraphs.
• Use information ONLY from the text.
• No life experiences.
• Feel free to use the exact words from the text.

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Mark the writing prompt for Open Response

• You may use a pencil or a highlighter.
• Read the whole prompt first.
• Mark the prompt by underlining or using
  highlighter to identify key command words.
• Mark the number of details required.
• Mark the central idea you are to explain.

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Open Response Sample Question 1

• Identify two important things to remember when
  buying a used car. Explain how each of these is
  important for someone purchasing a used car.

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Four Square
Important to verify true car mileage
Important to know accident and damage record
of car
Damage to the frame or water damage sometimes
cant be reliably fixed
Some dealers illegally lower mileage to
increases car value
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Open Response Sample Question 2

• Compare and contrast Creekmore Park and Ben
  Geren Park. Use two specific examples from the
  passage to support your response.

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Use VENN Diagramor
CREEKMORE
BEN GEREN
BOTH
BOTH
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3 Column T Chart
CREEKMORE
BOTH
BEN GEREN

• Playground
• equipment
• Walking trails
• Swimming pool

• Golf course
• Soccer field

• Train
• Indoor party
• room

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Open Response Hints for Success

• 1. Read and mark the Open Response prompt FIRST
  (before reading the selection).  2. Create the
  4-Square (or other appropriate graphic organizer)
  within the box, LABELING each section with the
  identifying information required.3. THEN, read
  the selection, marking the answers that belong in
  the labeled sections of the box.4. Complete the
  box, placing the information marked in the text
  into the correct labeled sections of the box.5.
  Now, complete the multiple choice questions.

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Essay Writing Prompt Hints for Success

• Prompt breaks down into
• Scenario
• Think About It!
• Directions
• What is the purpose of your writing? Are you
  trying to persuade? Explain?
• Mark the prompt.
• Use prewriting space to organize your thoughts
  before you write.
• Use the Writer's Checklist to review your essay.

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Mark the writing prompt for Essay Response

• You may use a pencil or a highlighter.
• Mark the prompt by underlining or using
  highlighter to identify key command words.
• Mark the central idea (usually repeated in
  prompt).
• Mark the audience required for your essay.

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Sample Writing Prompt

• Your school newspaper is sponsoring an essay
  contest, and you have decided to enter. The
  topic selected for the contest is
• How important are first impressions?
• Before you begin writing, think about first
  impressions. Can you decide what someone is like
  as soon as you meet that person.? Think about
  when a first impression has been right. Think
  about when a first impression has been wrong.
  Consider how much first impressions influence
  you.
• Now write an essay about how important first
  impressions are. Give specific reasons. Make
  sure that you explain yourself in enough detail
  so that your readers will understand what you
  mean.

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Sample Writing Prompt

• Your science teacher has asked the class to write
  on this topic
• Would you like to be an astronaut
• on the first mission to an unexplored planet?
• Why or why not?
• Think about being an astronaut and going to a
  planet where no one has ever been. Would it be
  exciting? Would it be dangerous? Would you want
  to go?
• Now write an essay discussing whether you would
  like to be an astronaut on the first mission to
  an unexplored planet. Give enough detail so that
  your science teacher will understand.

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Just a reminder

• Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole
  test and try to stay relaxed. If you start to
  feel nervous, take a few deep breaths to relax.
• Keep your eyes on your own paper.
• Don't worry if others finish before you,. Focus
  on the test in front of you.
• When you are finished--if you have time
  left--look over the section of the test.
• Try your best not to fall asleep if you finish
  early.
• Make sure that you have bubbled your answers to
  all questions.