ERIC
Digest-ED429987
Adapted from "A Teacher's Guide to Standardized Reading Tests
Knowledge is Power"
"Children
can improve and change their test-taking habits if they are taught
about their misleading work patterns. Teaching children about traps
they tend to fall into may be the most powerful, specific preparation
teachers can give them for the day of the test."
(ERIC Digest-ED429987)
Use
the Text to Choose Your Answer
"When it comes to choosing an answer, many children are much more
likely to turn to their own memories or experiences than the
hard-to-understand fact for their answers. This becomes even more
difficult when the passage is an excerpt from a text with which the
students are familiar. In reading comprehension sections of a reading
test, children must find evidence in the passage to support their
answers." (ERIC Digest-ED429987)
Learn
to Read the Question
"It is always assumed that if children have reading troubles,
their wrong answers stem from difficulty reading the passages.
However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, reading the
questions, a much less familiar task, can prove to be the greatest
reading challenge for the students." (ERIC Digest-ED429987)
Choose
the Answer to the Question
"Sometimes
children choose their answer by finding the first answer choice that
matches something in the text. Unfortunately, by not considering what
the question was actually asking, they are tricked into choosing the
wrong answer simply because it may state a fact that was included in
the story" (ERIC Digest-ED429987).
"Students should not stop reading the item when they think they have a right answer; a better answer might be available to them. They need to consider each option or alternative and choose the best answer" (Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools).
Risk
an Unfamiliar Choice
"Frequently,
students avoid choosing an answer simply because it contains an
unknown word even when they know the other answers are probably wrong.
Teachers often try to teach children a way of narrowing down the
answer choices through a process of elimination. Despite the fact that
this process can be very helpful, many students eliminate two of the
possibilities and then, from the last two, just sort of pick one...
thoughtful elimination between the last two possibilities can lead to
the correct choice." (ERIC Digest-ED429987)
Answer
Easier Questions First
Answer
the easier questions first and persist to the end of the test.
Standardized tests are constructed differently than most classroom
tests in that
* they include items that will be challenging for even the best
of student;
* no one is expected to answer
all items correctly;
* some students may not even
finish the test
* test items do not get
progressively harder; and
* the easier items are scattered
throughout the test.
Stress that students should attempt to answer every question, regardless of difficulty. Research has shown that even the willingness to tackle complicated questions is a factor in doing well. ("Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Check
Your Answers
"After
the harrowing ordeal of taking a standardized test, the last thing
students usually want to hear coming from their teacher is, "Did
you check your answers?" Frequently, the biggest reason kids hate
checking answers is because they have only one strategy for doing so:
opening their test booklets to the first page and beginning again. To
them, checking answers means taking the test again. That does not need
to be the case. It is unnecessary to return to questions about which
the students feel rather confident, they can check answers which they
were unsure of. They can keep track of these by jotting down numbers
as they take the test, circling numbers in the question booklet,
etc." (ERIC Digest-ED429987)
Setting
the Tone
"Even
if their feelings aren't so obvious, all children feel the pressure of
doing well. Be sure you don't add to the pressure by over reacting to
small deeds of misbehavior or by over emphasizing the fact that today
is a TEST day." (emphasis added) (ERIC Digest-ED429987)
Preparing
Your Elementary Students to Take Standardized Tests
http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Preparation/
Elementary_Test_Preparation/elementary_test_preparation.html
Instructional
Internet-Chicago Public Schools
"The purpose of this booklet is to provide staff with research-based strategies for helping students perform better on standardized achievement tests. We believe that students should be taught the content area skills measured by the tests and also appropriate test-taking strategies to enhance their performance on standardized tests. Research findings suggest that many students, as they grow older, deliberately try not to excel because they can blame lack of effort for poor results. Research has shown us that students who lack good test-taking skills are at a disadvantage. ...while test-taking skills are important and should be taught, a greater emphasis must be placed on teaching students critical thinking skills; that is, test-taking skills cannot overcome inadequate content area instruction." (Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Student
Attitudes and Motivation
"Younger
students equate hard work in school with success in school while older
students are more likely to feel luck or fate determines their success
on tests. ...students said that they fail to see a relevance of
testing to their lives or how standardized tests are connected to
their world and their classrooms. In fact, they went so far as to say
neither the school nor their teachers care about their tests.
Knowing the purpose of the test will help motivate students. Let you
students know that the tests provide schools, parents and teachers
with an objective way of seeing their strengths and weaknesses.
Letting the students know that they have received instruction in the
skills being measured can help reinforce students' belief in
themselves and increase motivation." (Instructional
Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Testing
Formats
Discuss
the following:
* testing dates and subject
* how much time they will have to complete the items
* the content skills that will be covered
* reassurance that they have covered the skills measured by the
test
* test format and the approximate length of the reading passage
* the kind of answer sheet or test booklet in which they will
mark their answers; and
* that some items will be challenging even for the best of
students
(Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Anticipate
and Deal with Test Anxiety
Getting
ready to take a test involves preparing students emotionally as well
as academically. Test anxiety is an unpleasant feeling experienced as
a result of an impending test or other evaluative situation. Although
some apprehension about an upcoming test is common, a high level of
test anxiety can interfere with effective and successful task
performance.
Knowing
What to Expect Increases Student Confidence
You
can help students develop positive self-concepts as learners. Offer
positive statements to students about their capabilities and work.
Make a special effort to prepare students with low expectations
because of previous academic problems. Entering the testing with a
sense of success promotes good test performance.
Talk to your students about stress and point out that nearly everyone experiences some anxiety concerning test taking. Note that a low level of anxiety in testing situations can be beneficial to test performance because it makes one alert. (Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Know
and Use Correct Test Administration Procedures
It
is extremely important to familiarize yourself with the instructions
for administering the test, prior to the day of testing. If students
see that you are well-prepared to give them the test, they are more
likely to think the test is important, take it seriously, and do well.
As part of the test administration procedures, make sure that all required materials and supplies are in the classroom prior to testing. For example, ensure that sharpened number 2 pencils are available, if they are required. Scratch paper and calculators are often needed for math tests Also, count the test booklets and answer sheets (and check the answer sheets if they pre-coded) to ensure that each student will have the necessary materials when it is time to test. (Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Provide
Students Feedback on Test Results
Immediately
after the testing, engage your students in discussions about the test
and their feelings about the experience. Ask them how they feel about
the process, what they learned, and how the test relates to their
classroom activities. Give them an opportunity to discuss their
feelings about the assessment. Feedback given in a positive and
constructive way can help improve students' self-esteem and also
provide motivation for students to continue to strive for success.
Reward
Success
It
is important to reward and celebrate students' accomplishments. To be
recognized for one's efforts is great for the spirit, self-esteem and
ultimately for a student's willingness to keep trying. Sometimes all
it takes is a smile and a word of praise. Try to celebrate your
students' successes - both large and small - when ever possible.
(Instructional Internet-Chicago Public Schools)
Test-Taking
Skills and Abilities Checklist
http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Preparation/
Elementary_Test_Preparation/elementary_test_preparation.html
__
1) Follow directions carefully
__
2) Budget time appropriately
__
3) Check Work carefully
__
4) Read the entire item and all answers
__
5) Answer the easier questions first and persist to the end
__
6) Make educated guesses
__
7) Use test item formats for practice
__
8) Review the practice items and answer together
__
9) Practice using the answer sheets
Student
Attitudes and Motivational Checklist
http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Preparation/
Elementary_Test_Preparation/elementary_test_preparation.html
__
1) Expect good results and model positive attitudes
__
2) Use motivational activities and provide incentive
__
3) Involve parents
__
4) Discuss purpose and relevance of testing
__
5) Discuss test format
__
6) Correlate classroom activities with tests
__
7) Anticipate and deal with test anxiety
__
8) Know and use correct test administration procedures
__
9) Provide quiet, orderly testing environment
__
10) Provide feedback on results
__
11) Reward and celebrate success
Parent
Information
http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,24-8069,00.html
Open
to page 1 of your test booklet and begin. . . now!
Public
school students often hear this command for the first time in third or
fourth grade. Your child may find this initial encounter with a
standardized or "big" test nerve-wracking, but there's no
need for either of you to panic. A little bit of background
information and a few important tips can help ease those test-taking
jitters.
From
the article: "D) All of the Above: Test Taking Tips"
Know
the score "The real reason we give the test is to furnish
information to three people -- the parent, the teacher, and the child
about his or her relative strengths and weaknesses."
Barbara Callaghan, a veteran elementary-school teacher and former principal, suggests that parents explain the purpose of the test to their children, encourage them to do their best, and assure them that the test will not affect their grades.
Tips from Barbara Callaghan, Teacher
Before
the test
* Get a good night's sleep.
* Eat a wholesome breakfast.
* Dress comfortably.
* Be on time to school.
* Have all necessary materials (pen, pencil, calculator)
* Avoid stressful situations prior to testing.
During
the test
* Listen to and read instructions carefully, make sure you understand them.
* If you have a question, ASK IT. Other kids are probably thinking the same thing.
* Answer the questions completely and with detail.
* Check to be sure you have not skipped anything and proofread
* If you finish early, go back and proof your answers again. But
don't change anything unless you are sure. Studies
show that the first answer you choose is usually the right
one.
Other sites with information on preparing for tests:
Preparing
for tests (secondary)
http://www.yorku.ca/admin/cdc/lsp/ep/exam.htm
Elementary
Test Preparation booklet
http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Preparation/
Elementary_Test_Preparation/elementary_test_preparation.html
Type
"standardized tests"
http://familyeducation.com/topic/front/0,1156,1-9028,00.html
High
school
http://familyeducation.com/topic/front/0,1156,1-4651,00.html
ParentSoup.com
http://www.parentsoup.com/edcentral/testing/facts.html
11
Tips To Help Your Child Prepare for Tests
http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,24-8069,00.html
Tips
from Kids
http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,3-2127,00.html
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