Test-Taking Tips
Name one of the three main tips for taking a test!
1. take your time
2. check your work
3. annotate
True or false: If you already think you know the right answer, you should still read every answer choice.
True! Sometimes you'll notice something you didn't expect, so it's always good to check, just in case.
What does RACE stand for?
Restate - Answer - Cite evidence - Explain
What's one way you can tell from the prompt that a question requires an essay, and not just a short response?
"worth 4 credits" or uses multiple texts
A simile and a metaphor are both examples of figurative language that makes a comparison. What is the difference between them?
A simile uses "like" or "as" and a metaphor does not.
True or false: "Check your work" just means "Make sure you didn't skip any questions."
False! It also means you should go through each of your answers again.
What should you do with answer choices that you know must be wrong?
Eliminate them. (Your onscreen tools might help with this.)
When you finish writing, what should you do?
reread your response to check that you answered all parts of the question and it makes sense
True or false: An essay is just a short response but longer.
False. One of the criteria your essay is graded on, according to the rubric, is organization. Don't lose points - make paragraphs break a new line!
What is the difference between tone and mood?
Tone = author's feelings
Mood = reader's feelings
What's one thing you can do to help yourself when you're getting burned out during a test?
Take a break - put your head down or draw for a few minutes before you get back to work.
When should you leave a multiple choice question blank?
NEVER EVER! (In fact, on the computer-based test, you get a popup warning you if you try!)
Why should you restate the question in your response? (2 answers)
1. it helps you use full sentences
2. it helps you stay on topic
What do the bullet points under the question help you do?
organize your response / make sure you answer all parts of the question
What is a theme of a story?
a message or life lesson that could apply to anyone (a full sentence, not a one-word topic, and not a summary with specific details!)
What are TWO of the benefits of annotating?
1. helps you pay attention while you read
2. helps you find what you're looking for when you go back to the text
When you annotate a question, what does the LIT technique stand for?
Location - Idea - Type
What TWO things always need to be capitalized?
sentences and names (including titles!)
If you're not sure how to start your essay, what can you use for your first sentence?
the sentence at the start of the prompt
What pronouns tell you that a story is written in 1st person?
I/me/my/myself (or we)
How much should you try to take to finish the test?
about 3 hours, so you've given yourself enough time to put in the effort, but you're still fresh and alert
If you eliminate 2 answers and then you guess randomly, what is the percent probability that you will be correct?
50% - before you eliminated any answers, it was only 25%, so try your best before you guess!
When you explain your evidence, what should you focus on?
1-3 keywords from the quote that really make it relevant to your point - What is it about this evidence that made you choose it? How does the word choice prove your claim?
What is our sentence starter for questions that ask "How does the author...?"
The author _______s by telling us...
What is the connotation of a word?
the associated ideas/feelings, in addition to its definition - for example, collapse has a more dramatic connotation than fall