1. Teach Students to Use Positive Self Talk. If students think that a subject or class is too challenging and expect to fail, they probably will fail. Tell them that it’s easy as long as they “practice” their learning.

2. When Teaching, Break information into small steps. This makes the information look easier and less overwhelming.

3. Ensure That Students Understand Test Vocabulary. Some words include: enumerate, compare, contrast, discuss, illustrate, define, etc. If students are comfortable with these words and able to apply their understanding on a test, their test scores will be higher.

4. Teach Students Test Taking Tips. Such as:

a. Underline key words (list, discuss, define, etc.).

b. Put a checkmark next to blank questions.

5. Teach Students Time Management Strategies such as:

a. Take the time allotted for the test and divide it by the number of questions.

b. Answer multiple choice before essays and budget more time for the essay questions.

c. Eliminate the obviously incorrect answers. Make an educated guess. Do NOT make random guesses.

6. Watch Out for Dangerous Words! The Words: Most, some, usually, often, generally, may, and seldom are USUALLY the correct option.

7. The “Superlative” Words: Every, all, none, always, and only are USUALLY the incorrect option.

8. Another trick, if students are stuck, is to pick the answer containing the most information.

9. If a question ends with “an,” the answer should begin with a vowel, especially on English tests. So, if the question is, “Snow White bit into an…” the answer is not going to be b. banana, it will be a. apple.

10. An answer that repeats words that are in the question is more likely to be correct. For example, if the question is, “Every year, the Red Cross collects blood at their annual…,” the answer is probably “blood drive.”

11. Have students design a practice test for review then time themselves when taking it. Have them self-correct and then re-take the test trying to improve their score and their test time.

12. Remind students to review right before they sleep at night.

The above strategies were excerpted with permission from the book, “Umm Studying… What’s That?” by Susan and Shivahn Fitzell. It’s a book about memorization and test strategies for teens co-written by a teen.

For more information about study strategies for your student, see Susan Fitzell’s book, Ummm, Studying? What’s That?. Available in both print and electronic versions!

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On Standardized Tests:

The easiest questions are at the beginning, the middle more difficult and the end, the most difficult. If a question at the end seems too easy, it’s probably the wrong answer.

On Essay Tests:

• Make notes on back of exam sheet, eg., ACRONYMS, Visual Cues, etc.
• Read directions carefully
• Underline key question words.
• Number all parts of the question.
• Jot notes along side each question as you read it for the first time.
• Pretend the reader is totally ignorant of the topic!

How to Handle Reading Passages on Tests:

• Find the main idea: Each passage has a main idea. Read for the main idea and skim the details.
• Read quickly, answer slowly: Most students do the opposite: read slowly and answer quickly. Read for the main idea and you’ll read quickly.
• Mark as you read: After reading each paragraph, make a brief note of two or three words in the margin. Indicate what went on in the paragraph. Circle important details.

How to Handle Math Questions on Tests:

• Look for shortcuts: For example, you know that an odd number multiplied by an odd number gives an odd number for an answer. If only one of the choices is an odd number, it has to be correct.
• Work in consistent units:
  • If one side of a rectangle is given in inches and another in feet, convert them both to feet or inches before you multiply or add.
  • Don’t do all the computations in your head.

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