Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

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• Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests
• 2010

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Write it in Your Agenda!

• April 30 May 7 CST
• May 10 11 EOC/Math
• May 14 15 MDTP
• May 16 17 EOC/Sci. (8th)
• May 17 18 EOC/SS
• May 21 22 EOC/LA
• May 23 MARP

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Purpose of CST (California Standards Test)

• To test what students should be able to do in
  each subject area
• To test students knowledge of standards
• To test what students should know

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CST Achievement

• 600-395 (5) Advanced
• 394-350 (4) Proficient
• 349-300 (3) Basic B
• 299-266 (2) Below Basic BB
• 265-150 (1) Far Below Basic FBB

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Twas the Night Before Testing

• Go to bed on time.
• Put a few 2 pencils with erasers in your
  backpack the night before the test.
• Talk to your parents about your concerns.

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The Morning of Testing

• Start your day as you always do.
• Eat a good breakfast.
• Think Positive!

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Strategies 1,2,3

• 1. READ THE DIRECTIONS!
• 2. Make sure you understand what the question is
  asking.
• 3. Be sure you are responding to the question
  that is being asked.

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Pace Yourself

• Do not spend too much time on any one question.
• Answer the easiest questions first.

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Skip, Return, Check

• If you finish early, check to make sure you have
  answered all questions. Return to the ones you
  did not finish.

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The Process of Elimination

• If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your
  chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

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An Example of Elimination

• 22 ___
• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. blue
• D. red

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Reading Strategies

• Scan the questions before reading long passages.
• Look for clues from other questions/answers.

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Math Computation

• Make sure you have copied the problem correctly
  from the test booklet!
• Line up place value correctly on your scratch
  paper!

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Reread, Recopy, Solve

• If your answer does not match one of the choices,
  reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try
  solving it again.

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Keeping Track of Time

• Do not spend too much time rewriting or obsessing
  about neatness.
• Your first guess is usually right but if you have
  time, recheck the answers that you were unsure
  about.

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The Death Grip

• If your arm tires during testing it is probably
  due to the grip that you have on your pencil.
• Relax the grip and give those muscles a break.

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Mr. or Ms. Know-it-all!

• Remember it's okay not to know everything
  unlike class tests, these tests will have some
  questions designed to challenge the limits of
  your knowledge at a grade level above your
  current grade.

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Final Tips

• Fill in the bubbles completely
• Write neatly
• Erase stray marks
• Do your BEST!

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Wildcat Pride!
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Questions?

• The End