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Testing-Taking Strategies

1.       If you feel nervous before or during testing, you can:

¨       Close your eyes.

¨       Take several slow, deep breaths.

¨       Try to quiet your mind. 

¨       Tell yourself that this is only a test and just do your best.

2.      Follow the directions carefully.  You should listen to and read the directions so that you clearly understand what is expected of you.  Make sure you understand the vocabulary and concepts included in the directions.

3.    Read the titles/subtitles to make a prediction about what you think the passage will be about.

4.      Before you begin reading a passage, read the questions first.  This will help you know what to look for as you read.

5.      Read the questions and all the answers carefully.  Be sure you understand what the question is asking!

6.      Select the answer carefully.  Read all the answers carefully even if one initially seems correct.  Rule out the answers that you are sure are incorrect, and then focus on the ones that are left to make your best choice.

7.      Use what you know to answer the questions.  Even if you don’t know very much about the question, focus on what you do know about the topic to make a reasonable choice.

8.      Do not always choose your first answer.  Often the authors of the test include frequently made incorrect answers.  Read all of the answer choices before you decide.

9.      When the question requires the “best” answer, realize it may not fit exactly.  It is simply better than the other answers.

10.   Look for key words in the questions, and then find the same words in the passage.  The key words will help you understand the question and locate the right answer.

11.    Look for words such as who, what where, when, why, and how in the questions.  They tell you what to look for when you are reading the passage.

12.   Be careful of answers containing words like “always” or “never.”  Unless specifically stated in the reading passage, absolute answers are rarely correct.

13.   Look for words such as not, mostly, mainly, and except.  These words tell you exactly what answer to look for.  These words often appear in bold type, CAPTIAL LETTERS, or are underlined.

14.   When asked to respond to the main idea, read the passage and determine what the story is mostly about and then see if any of the answers fit.  Often all the answers contain ideas from the passage.

15.   As you read the passage, create a mental picture in your head.  This will help you remember what you are reading.

16.   As you read, you might come to a word you don’t know.  Look for clues to help you understand the meaning of the word.  Clues can be other words in the sentence or paragraph that help explain the unknown word.

17.   Look back in the passage to help you find an answer.  Try to remember what you read so that you will be able to easily locate the information you are looking for.

18.   When you don’t feel comfortable with any of the responses, make your best guess.  It is better to make a reasonable guess than not answer at all.

19.   Spend a limited amount of time on each question and then go back if you have time.  It’s important to read all the questions because some will be easier than others.

20.  Carefully study the charts, graphs, pictures and diagrams.  They contain important information you will need to find the answers to the questions.

21.   Try to budget your time efficiently.  There should be time to check your work and to reconsider answers you weren’t sure about.