TEST-TAKING TIPS

BEFORE THE TEST

• Maintain a positive mindset.
• Affirm to yourself, “I will give my best effort on this test.”
• Ensure a restful night's sleep beforehand.
• Wake up early to avoid rushing through preparations.
• Have a nutritious breakfast (and lunch if the test is in the afternoon).

DURING THE TEST

• Stay composed and attentive to instructions.
• Read each question and all answer choices carefully.
• Remove obviously incorrect answers.
• Solve problems using tools like paper, pencil, calculator, or manipulatives.
• Compare your answer to the choices provided.
• Manage your time. If a question is challenging, consider skipping it temporarily and returning later.
• Note that question difficulty may not follow a pattern. Don’t assume subsequent questions will be as hard if one is difficult.
• Test creators use common mistakes to create distractors, so finding a similar answer doesn’t guarantee correctness.
• If uncertain, try these strategies:
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then decide among the remaining options.
• Review all answers carefully before revisiting the question. Clues may emerge from the choices.
• If stuck, move on and revisit the question later.
• When unsure, make an educated guess. Answering all questions is crucial.

AFTER THE TEST

• Before submitting your test, review it thoroughly.
• Change an answer only if you have a solid reason.
• Generally, stick with your initial choice.
• Ensure every question has a marked answer, even if guessed.

If you have any test-taking tips to share, please post them in the comment box below.


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