Strategies for Taking P.S.S.A

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• Strategies for Taking P.S.S.A

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Twas the Night Before Testing

• Go to bed on time. Get a good Nights sleep

• Do not bring any notes or electronic devices.

• Talk to your parents about any concerns that you
  might have about the test. Relax and know you are
  ready!!

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The Morning of Testing

• Start your day as you always do.
• Eat a good breakfast.
• Know that if you give your best effort until
  1130, the afternoon will be relaxing and fun!
• Think Positive!

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When you get to school

• Use the bathroom, you will not be permitted to
  use the bathroom during the test. If during the
  test you NEED to use that bathroom, there will be
  a consequence.
• You will get a small snack and drink.
• Stay relaxed.

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Great Tips for Taking the Test

• Ask questions if you do not understand the
  directions.
• Be careful when you fill in the bubbles. If you
  mark the wrong bubble your answer will be wrong.
• Color in bubbles completely
• Erase clearly if you change an
• answer
• Keep your eyes on your own
• test

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A Matter of Time

• If any time remains, spend it on those questions
  about which you know nothing or almost nothing.
• As you go back through, do not change all
  answers.
• Remember Your first guess is usually right.

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Its About Time

• Dont spend too much time rewriting or obsessing
  about neatness.
• Dont worry about running out of time. You wont,
  you can have as much time as you need.

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Pace Yourself

• Dont spend too much time on any one question. Do
  your best and then move on.
• Answer the questions in order. If you are stuck
  on a question, take your best guess or skip it
  and return to it later.

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Do not

• Do not make cross out marks on answers you
  eliminate.
• Do not talk during the test
• Do not talk with others about
• the questions after the test
• Do not take notes about the test to share with
  others.

I put B, you?
What did you put for that symmetry question?
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Multiple Choice Questions

• If you do not understand the directions, ask for
  help.
• Read the question and all answer choices before
  marking anything. Some multiple choice questions
  will as for the Best Answer.

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Multiple Choice Questions

• Do not change your answers unless you are very
  uncertain about your first answer choice.
• Try to answer every question. Make the most
  intelligent guess you can.

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The Process of Elimination

• After you have been through all of the questions
  once, go back and find questions you have some
  knowledge about and eliminate choices that you
  know are incorrect.
• But do not cross out these answers in your
  book.

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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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Skip, Return, Check

• If you finish early, check to make sure you have
  answered all questions before you close your book
  to submit your test. You will not be allowed to
  return to this section.

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Key Words

• Find key words or phrases in the question that
  will help you choose the correct answer.
• ___ Left, difference, all together, beginning of
  the passage, in the end

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Are we communicating?

• Make sure you understand what the question is
  asking.
• Be sure you are responding to the question that
  is being asked in open ended responses. Stay on
  topic.

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Reading Passages

• If the test requires you to read passages and
  then answer questions about what you read,

read the questions first.

• By doing this, you will know what you are looking
  for as you read. This also helps you go faster
  on the test.

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Reading Passages

• When there are several questions about a reading
  passage or chart, look for clues in other
  questions that will help you with those items
  about which you are unsure.

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Math Computation

• When using scratch paper on a math test, double
  check to make sure that you have copied the
  problem correctly from the test booklet!

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Math

• Line up place value correctly on your scratch
  paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the
  answer will be incorrect.
• If you do not know a word on the math test ask
  your teacher. Teachers can help with the words
  on Math only.
• Look for key words

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Math Computation

• If your answer does not match one of the choices,
  reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try
  solving it again.
• A ruler is the only tool you will have to use.
  You are encouraged to make your own tools if you
  need to. Draw a number line, array, clock, or
  any tool you need to help you during the test

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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.
• Do not do arm exercises during testing as this
  disturbs others.
• After you complete your test. Take a brain
  break then return and check your answers.

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Final Tips

• Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase
  stray marks.
• Double-check the test number in your test booklet
  against the answer sheet every few questions to
  be sure you havent gotten on the numbers mixed
  up.

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When you are finished

• Check your work one last time
• You are not allowed to have any other materials,
  books, or work out until your teachers collect
  the tests.

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Thank you, Mr. Know-it-all!

• Remember it's okay not to know everything
  unlike class tests, these tests will have some
  questions designed to challenge you. Take your
  time and try your best.
• YOU CAN DO IT! WE HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL, GREAT
  TEACHERS AND SMART STUDENTS! LETS GO CT!!