Test-Readiness
Identify the best daily strategy for test success.
Having confidence, believing in myself, and remembering that you can do this!
How does not getting enough sleep impact your test-taking?
It restricts the oxygen flow to your brain, impacting your ability to retrieve information
What is the first thing you should do when you get your test?
Jot down any information that has been consuming your mind.
Then look over the whole test.
What is most important about the question directions?
Always read the question directions slowly and make sure you understand exactly what they are asking you to do.
Which questions should you answer first?
Do the ones that take the most brain power first, you know what is hardest for you, trust yourself!
How can you get a sense of what’s going to be on the test?
•Remember what was taught in class.
Your teacher is an expert and is preparing you well!
How does test-taking when you’re hungry impact your brain?
It will negatively impact your cognitive functioning.
Your brain thinks “I need to conserve brain energy, since I only have reserve fuel” and will limit what information you can access and generate
What’s the better strategy: delving right in to answer questions or looking at the whole test first?
Skim the whole test, look at the extended constructed response...do the paired passage first if that is what takes most of your brain power!
Should I worry about when my classmates finish the test?
1.Have confidence in yourself and your abilities.
2.Block everything in the room out except the test.
3. Remember you have all day to take this test.
4. There is no prize for finishing the test first!!!!
Before you even go to take the test, what can you do with all the worries in your mind to keep them from clouding your focus?
Write them down.
What’s the best way to answer a vocabulary question?
•Use THE DICTIONARY!!!!
•Pretend it is fill in the blank.
• What's the best way to answer a __________ question.
•Use your test taking strategies to find the best answer.
How does test-taking when you’re incredibly stressed impact your brain?
It tightens your blood vessels, thereby restricting the flow of oxygen to your brain (impacting your ability to retrieve information)
List several ways to improve your odds at getting the right multiple choice answer?
Cover the answers and read the question. Think of the correct answer before looking for it.
Cross out any obviously wrong answers
Make sure you are answering the whole questions
What could go wrong if you don’t read test directions carefully?
(And how can you ensure that you follow all the steps?)
You could misinterpret what they are looking for (like “circle all the answers that…” or “choose 1 of the 3 topics…”).
Highlight the critical steps in the test directions.
What should you do if you don’t understand the directions to a question?
Read the directions again!
Write down key words in the directions.
Highlight the key words.
You can ask the proctor to read the writing prompt to you.
Plan your answer.
What’s the best way to answer an short answer questions?
-Use C.E.R.
-Write in COMPLETE sentences
-Use the most importance parts of the text evidence to prove your response!
- PROOFREAD to make sure it is clear!
Sometimes the array of options on multiple choice tests impedes you from clearly recalling the correct answer. How can you prevent this?
Cover up the options so that you only see the question. Think of the answer first, then reveal the options to see which one best matches it.
If you are having difficulties with a question, what should you do?
Skip it!
But be sure mark it so you’ll come back to it.
Use the test questions to help you understand questions you don't know.Take slow deep breaths.
Sometimes students start writing the answer to an essay question and then realize they should have included something sooner. What can you do to address this?
Do the prewriting/brainstorming such as an outline or mind-map before you start writing.
How can you keep your mind on the test?
When you’re reading, annotate. (take notes)
Draw diagrams to help you understand difficult questions.
Whisper read you read long passages
Read it in a funny voice in your head). Underline important details.
What should you do the morning of the test?
-Eat Breakfast! You think better on a full stomach.
-Get to the test early to eliminate any stress of arriving late
-Enjoy some quiet time. Focus on the big event.
What type of food is the worst “brain food” (and what is the best?)
The worst: Sugar and High Fat (especially fried foods).
The Best: Proteins (Dairy, Meat, Nuts) - No nuts may be in the testing room!!!
What should you do when you’ve finished your test?
(And what should you NOT do?)
Go back and review everything: the instructions, the questions and your answers—especially for Essay Questions. For Multiple Choice—Check that you read the question correctly and all possible answers.
Unless you see new information you didn’t have when you made your first choice, DON’T CHANGE YOUR ANSWERS.
What should I do if I freeze?
Relax. Take deep breaths,
Start writing what you CAN think of…your brain will
begin to make associations and it will come from there.
What should you do if you feel your stress level increasing?
•Take a minute to relax.
•Use stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, stretching, or visualizing yourself smiling as you remember all you’ve studied.
•Use positive thoughts such as, “I’m smart, I’ve studied, and I can do this.”
•Get up and get a drink
•Eat a peppermint