Standardized Test Taking Tips
“Success on test day is built in the days before - strategize, practice, and stay calm.”
Once you have a study plan the most important thing is to maximize your study time. Learning a few key strategies can help you get the best score possible.
It can’t be said often enough to plan to practice for 2-3 hours a week for 6-8 weeks. As you do practice tests you will begin to see patterns in the type of questions asked such as “best evidence” questions, and “most nearly means” questions. Test makers look for the same skills over and over, and you can use this to your advantage.
Keep track of the areas you need to strengthen. If you use the Khan Academy practice site, you can link your previous test scores and it will present questions in your areas of need. If you use practice tests, review the wrong answers to see which type of questions you need to improve on.
Build on your strengths, don’t worry so much about what is challenging. While practicing and during the test, keep a positive mindset and don’t let thoughts like this get in your way. If you are struggling mentally, use the strategy of stopping for a second looking up and visualizing... the answer will come.
Be sure to skip questions that seem difficult, keep track on your scantron, and then go back so you do all the easier ones first. There is no deduction for wrong answers so the more correct answers the better. Since the test is timed, you want to keep going, so you do the hardest ones last just in case you run out of time. Don’t let yourself go down the rabbit hole of doubt and second-guessing. Studies show if you can keep a strong attitude, it will increase your score by 20 percent. Talk back to that negative voice.
If you need to guess on the test, and have no inclination of possible answers, guess the same letter or position each time. Use the Letter of the day and choose a letter before you begin so you know you will pick A or F for a pure guess. If you can eliminate some wrong answers, then choose between your best guess.
During test week, do everything you can to build confidence. Study and review strategies. Do not do test practice the night before... rest, eat well, and get a lot of sleep. Remember, believe it and you can achieve it!
You've got this!
