ACT, SAT, OST- OH MY!

Test Taking Tips to Help Your Scholars!

Testing is always stressful, for both teachers and scholars. One way to alleviate that stress is to prepare the scholars, but not just before the test, there are things you can do during the test to help relieve stress. 

Before the test:

1.  Leverage your data

Look at class data and individual data to find where scholars are scoring. Bring your scholars into data conversations to make sure they are aware of where they need to progress in order to score well on the test.  Make sure to review the testing items or standards to identify where scholars are struggling and correlate them to the district map. When is the standard taught? Is it after the testing window? How many times do you review the standard? 

2. How to access the tools

Teach your scholars how to navigate the online test. Scholars will not remember how to navigate the site if they only use it once a year. Model for them the tools you would like them to use. 

3. How to answer certain questions types

Each type of question given on the test has a way to best answer the question. For example, scholars should be aware that multiple-choice questions usually contain 2 completely wrong answers. If a scholar is taught to use strikethrough, they can eliminate 2 answers they know are wrong. This will increase the probability of getting the question correct. 

4. Create a positive testing environment

Celebrate the little successes during practice sessions in order to model a positive culture to scholars. An empty stomach is very distracting so making sure scholars have eaten or give snacks before the test.  Also, sitting for a long period of time can distract scholars. Teaching students seated stretching techniques can help them when they cannot take a break during the test. These practices can relieve testing anxiety when testing days occur. 

5. Test Stamina

Make sure the scholars have the stamina to sit and take the test for over 90 minutes. Just because scholars sit and play videos games for hours without moving does not mean they will have the same stamina for school-related online tests. You must practice this for scholars to understand how long they will need to focus to complete the test.  For ready-made practice tests from Edcite CLICK HERE

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