Test Taking Tips
What can you do if you start to get tired?
Take a break, skip questions and come back, skim
What is a claim?
an answer; what a writer is trying to prove
Name one strategy for multiple choice questions.
ANY of these:
Read all the choices
Get rid of wrong answers
Look back in the text
Scan for key words
How many passages are there on day 1?
5
How should you start your essay?
Restate and answer the question (or make a claim); introduction
What is skimming?
Reading the 1st and last paragraphs, then the 1st and last sentences of each paragraph
What is evidence?
facts about if something is true; proof
What do you need in a short response answer?
Answer, detail, detail
How many multiple choice questions are there on day 1?
35
How do you provide details to support your answer?
Look at the text and cite exact words the author uses
Why shouldn't you leave an answer blank if you don't know the answer?
You won't get any points; 25% chance of getting a multiple choice correct, or you could get partial credit on a written response
What is an excerpt?
a short part of a text
What should you do if the text is very difficult?
Any one of these:
Don't read every word
Say the first letter of proper nouns/names
Slow down, reread and try to get the gist
How many short answer questions are on day 2?
7
Give an example of a transition word or words?
one example, this proves, one detail, in conclusion, etc.
If an answer is taking you a long time, what should you do?
Skip it and come back to it
What is support?
to back up your answer with text evidence
Why should you just use Answer Detail Detail for short answer questions?
So you don't get tired before you get to the extended response.
How many passages are there on day 2?
3
Why might someone get only 2 points on their essay?
If they don't use details from both texts
What is "changing the channel" to get your mind ready for the text?
Thinking about what you already know about a topic (background knowledge - like changing to a channel on TV) to get ready for reading
What is a phrase?
a group of words
What is something that you should NOT do during test?
Any one of these:
sleep
give up
guess on everything
leave things blank
How many extended responses are there on day 2?
1
How can you get 4 points on your essay?
Use sophisticated vocabulary or voice in your writing