Please review these test-taking tips with your child.

Bring at least two pencils/pens with good erasers, calculators, and other resources that your instructor allows.
Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test and try to stay relaxed. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths to relax.
Do the easiest problems first, don’t stay on a problem that you are stuck on, especially when time is a factor.
Do the problems that have the greatest point values first.
Don’t rush but pace yourself, read the entire question and look for keywords.
When you are finished, if you have time look over your test, make sure that you answered all the questions. Only change an answer if you misread or mis-interpreted the question because the first answer that you put down is usually the correct one. Watch out for careless mistakes.
Ask the instructor for clarification if you don’t understand what they are asking for on the test.
Write legibly. If the grade can’t read what you wrote, they’ll most likely mark it wrong.
If you don’t know an answer, skip it, go on with the rest of the test and come back to it later. Maybe on another part of the test there’ll be some-thing that will help you out with the question.
Read the questions carefully. This will help you make careless mistakes.

True/False Tests

If any part of the sentence is false, the whole sentence is false despite many other true statements.
Absolute words (no, not, cannot, never, always, entirely, only) can be confusing. These words imply the statement is usually false.
Qualifiers (sometimes, often, frequently, ordinarily, generally) usually indicate true answers.
Long sentences often include groups of words set off by punctuations. Pay attention to the "truth" of each of these phrases. If one phrase is false, it usually indicates a false answer.

Multiple Choice Tests

Multiple choice questions include a phrase usually followed by three to four options.
Read the directions carefully.
Read the questions carefully.
Read all of the options.
First eliminate answers you know are wrong.\
Always guess when there is no penalty for guessing. Don’t guess if you are penalized for guessing.
Your first choice is usually correct., so don’t change an answer unless you are sure you are correct.

Short-Answer Tests

Ask your teacher if you need to write in complete sentences. When in doubt, write in complete sentence form.
Let the teacher know if you think more than one answer is acceptable. The teacher may give you a clue to what he/she is looking for.
A guess may give you a few points. You will receive no points if you leave the answer blank.

Essay Tests

Read directions and all of the questions before you begin.
Look for key words like compare, contrast, and criticize todecide how to write your essay.
If the directions state to compare three ideas, make sure you compare three ideas and not two ideas.
Make a brief outline or use a graphic organizer to help you write your essay.

Canaan Middle School

School Counselor