Test Taking Strategies

Powerful Test-Taking Strategies - Elementary Level from Jennifer Jones

Test Taking Strategies 

MENTAL STRATEGIES

• Eat Breakfast
• Get plenty of sleep
• Focus
• Stay Positive
• Take Mini Brain Breaks. Close your eyes and take a deep breath every 4-5 questions.
• Use Stamina
• Love (or at least pretend to love) each section!

GENERAL STRATEGIES

• Read ALL of the directions carefully
• Pace yourself! Don’t rush but don’t waste too much time on one question
• Check your bubbles

READING STRATEGIES

• Read the questions first 
• Box the Title
• Frame & title each paragraph or section
• Carefully read the passage
• Check for non-fiction text features like photographs, captions, headings, & charts
• Stop & think about what you just read
• Read each question & circle key words and details in the question
• Think about what the question is really asking
• Predict what the answer is BEFORE you read the choices
• Put an “x” beside any incorrect answers
• Underline in the passage where you found each answer
• Re-read the question and your answer. Ask yourself,  “Does my answer make sense?” & “Could I explain why I picked this answer if I had to?”
• Examine ALL the information FIRST when given a chart or map