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!

Would you like to reprint this article, or an article like it, in your newsletter or journal?
CLICK HERE to visit the articles page.

The post Test Taking Strategies that Boost Student Scores! appeared first on Susan Fitzell.

Test questions that require students to read a passage and answer questions are often more difficult than multiple choice questions because the student is being tested on their understanding of new material.

Math questions, too, are often difficult for many students, especially when written in a word problem format.

By learning a few simple test taking skills, students can easily maneuver through both math and reading portions of state and classroom tests.<>

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; they 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: A student might 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 multiplying or adding.
• Don’t do all the computations in your head: Use the margins and white space to work difficult or detailed computations.

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!

Bring Susan to your campus or parent organization!

Featured seminar – Umm Studying? What’s That? Learning Strategies for the Overwhelmed and Confused College and Secondary Education Student

Would you like to reprint this article, or an article like it, in your newsletter or journal?
CLICK HERE to visit the articles page.

The post Test Taking Skills – Ace Those Reading and Math Test Questions! appeared first on Susan Fitzell.

Test questions that require students to read a passage and answer questions are often more difficult than multiple choice questions because the student is being tested on their understanding of new material.

Math questions, too, are often difficult for many students, especially when written in a word problem format.

By using a few simple strategies, however, students can easily maneuver through both math and reading portions of state and classroom tests.

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; they 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: A student might 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 multiplying or adding.
• Don’t do all the computations in your head: Use the margins and white space to work difficult or detailed computations.

For more information about study strategies for your student, see Susan Fitzell’s book, Please Help Me With My Homework. Available in both print and electronic versions!

Would you like to reprint this article, or an article like it, in your newsletter or journal?
CLICK HERE to visit the articles page.

The post Ace Those Reading and Math Test Questions! appeared first on Susan Fitzell.