4th Grade Test Taking Strategies

Pacing Yourself

1

Why is it important to pace yourself during the test?

Possibly answer:

So you can answer as many questions as you can to get the most amount of points on your test.

2

What should you do if you don't know the answer to a question?

Skip it and come back to it at the end, if you have time, reread the text, etc.

3

When the time begins, what is the first thing you should do?

Preview the questions and the writing task so you know what to look for as you read the passage.

4

If you finish answering all the questions and there is still time left, what should you do?

Go back and carefully review your answers. Reread the questions and/or passages if necessary. Add/revise your writing to make sure it addresses all parts of the prompts and includes all the elements of good writing that judges will be looking for.

5

What happens if you stop checking your work and focusing on the test before the time is up?

Your teacher will note the time and our class may not be able to earn enough minutes to redeem for prizes. So remember to work the ENTIRE TIME!!

True/False

1

It is important to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before the test.

True

2

If you don't know the answer to a question, you should just leave it blank.

False. You may skip the question and come back to it, but try to answer every question.

3

You should not watch the clock and worry about the time, because it will only stress you out.

False. It's important to pace yourself, so looking at the clock occasionally will help you know how much time you have left.

4

When you need to feel calm or energized, eat your peppermint.

True. Peppermint help you focus and concentrate. It also helps your brain remember information.

5

I can ask my teacher for help if I do not understand a question.

False. The teacher may only help you if you have an issue with your device.

Reading

1

What 3 things should you do before reading the passage?

Preview the questions, preview the writing prompt, look at text features (titles, photos, captions, graphs, etc.)

2

What should you do if you come across a word you don't know?

Use context clues, read on and come back to the word, ignore it if it's a name, etc.

3

As you read a passage, what are two things you should do?

highlight important words/details, take notes, thinking about the questions, etc.

4

If a question asks you what a word means, what should you do?

Go back into the text and reread the paragraph that has the word. Then, try each answer choice to see which word makes the most sense in the context of the sentence.

5

If you're not sure how to answer a question, what should you do?

Reread the passage and make your best guess. You may use the answer eliminator to get rid of nonsense answers that don't make sense.

Writing

1

What are the 4 genres of writing you may be asked to write?

Narrative (story), informational, opinion, compare & contrast

2

When writing a narrative, what story elements should you remember to include?

Characters, setting, problem/solution, plot (events), dialogue, lesson/theme

3

In which genre(s) of writing should you quote text evidence and explain it?

Informational, opinion, and/or compare & contrast

4

When deconstructing a prompt, how should you use your blank sheet of paper?

Word bank, what to do as a reader, what to do as a writer

5

You will earn at least a score of 1 if you can do what in your writing?

Address the prompt

Vocabulary

1

What does it mean to deconstruct the prompt?

To take it apart so you can understand it clearly

2

What does "essay" mean?

Multiple paragraphs

3

What is "theme"?

The universal message of a story that anyone can apply to their life

4

What does it mean to "pace" yourself?

To watch the clock and be aware of how much time you have left

5

What does "main idea" mean?

The most important idea in a passage