Rules, Rules, Rules
Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Research Simulation Task (RST)
Writing the Essay
Answering the Multiple Choice
100

What is prohibited in the testing room?

Electronics (smartwatches, airpods/headphones, phones), Bags, Jackets, etc.

100

Describe the components of the NJSLA-ELA LAT?

  • Literary Passage #1

  • Multiple Choice Questions

  • Literary Passage #2

  • Multiple Choice Questions

  • Essay

  • Informational Passage #1

  • Multiple Choice Questions

100

Describe the components of the NJSLA-ELA RST?

  • Nonfiction Passage #1

  • Multiple Choice Questions

  • Nonfiction Passage #2

  • Multiple Choice Questions

  • Nonfiction Passage, video, or audio #3

  • Multiple Choice Questions

  • Essay

100

How much time should I spend on my introduction, and what must it include?

5 minutes

It must include a thesis.

100

What tool can I use to help me eliminate answers?

I can use the answer elimination tool (the red X)

200

When can I speak in the testing room?

Never/Only if your proctor is whispering to me individually after I raise my hand.

200

Name at least 3 categories of multiple choice questions you may see on the LAT.

Vocabulary in context, theme/central idea, author’s purpose, literary devices, narrative structure, etc.

200

Name at least 3 categories of multiple choice questions you may see on the RST.

Vocabulary in context, central idea, author’s purpose, cause/effect, etc.

200

How much time should I spend on a body paragraph?

10-15 minutes, depending on if I am writing 2 or 3

200

What should I do if I am unsure of the answer to a question?

I should use the answer elimination tool to cross off answers I know are definitely incorrect, answer the question to the best of my ability, and bookmark the question to go back to it if I have additional time.

300

What can I wear to the NJGPA?

I can wear my PPCS/Gateway polo, t shirt, cardigan, or sweatshirt/jacket WITHOUT a hood.

300

How much time should I spend reading, annotating, and answering multiple choice questions for each passage?

15 minutes EACH.

300

How much time should I spend reading, annotating, and answering multiple choice questions for each passage?

15 minutes EACH.

300

How much time should I spend on my conclusion?

5 minutes

300

Besides selecting an answer by clicking on the one correct, how else might I have to select my answer?

I may have to drag and drop, select all that apply, select 2+ answers, connect answers with arrows, or drag text from the passage into an answer box.

400

What happens if I am found to have a prohibited item, like a cell phone, in my testing room?

It is reported to the state, and everyone’s test in the room could be invalidated.

400

Describe what quality annotations look like for a Literary Passage

Quality annotations summarize the plot, characters, and setting while also annotating specifically for the prompt.

400

Describe what quality annotations look like for a Nonfiction Passage.

Quality annotations summarize the main points of the texts while also annotating specifically for the prompt.

400

How much time should I leave at the end of my test to proofread my essay?

5 minutes

400

About how much are multiple choice questions worth on the NJGPA?

Multiple choice questions are worth about half of your score of the NJGPA.

500

Explain the rules for the Testing Ticket and Scratch Paper.

I cannot write or damage my testing ticket in any way. I cannot damage my scratch paper. I must turn back in my testing ticket and scratch paper. Even if a small corner of the paper is missing, it must be reported to the state and could invalidate my test!

500

Explain how to structure a Literary Analysis Task Essay.

  1. Write an introduction. This must include the thesis statement that answers the prompt.

  2. Write 2-3 body paragraphs. Include a strong topic sentence, contextualized and cited flow quotations as evidence, and analysis.

  3. Write a conclusion that summarizes what you have proved.

  4. PROOFREAD!

500

Explain how to structure a Research Simulation Task Essay.

  1. Write an introduction. This must include the thesis statement that answers the prompt.

  2. Write 2-3 body paragraphs. Include a strong topic sentence, contextualized and cited flow quotations as evidence, and analysis.

  3. Write a conclusion that summarizes what you have proved.

  4. PROOFREAD!

500

Which student is more likely to pass the NJGPA? Explain.

Student 1: Writes a magnificent introduction and a strong body paragraph but does not write a second body paragraph or conclusion.

Student 2: Writes an accurate, complete essay (introduction with a thesis, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The essay full answers the prompt.

Student 2 is more likely to pass the NJGPA because they wrote a complete essay that fully answered the given prompt and accurately analyzed the texts.

500

Name a strategy you can use if you are unsure how to answer a multiple choice vocabulary question.

I can go back to the paragraph the vocab word is in and re-read the sentence before, the sentence the vocab word is in, and the sentence after to determine meaning. I can determine the connotation of the word. I can see what synonyms could be put in that word’s place. I can eliminate words I know are incorrect.

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