Test-taking skills (x-post on general forum)

[Jackie in NE]

So dd and I were talking about the NLE today. She is considering taking this test next year. We looked at some of the sample questions, and dd really kind of froze. I have seen her do this before in Algebra also. Now, her confidence level in these two subjects is not high. But she excells with essay questions such as in her on-line Omnibus course.

I told her that test-taking is a skill that we need to develop. When she asked me "How is it a skill? I mean, you either know the answer or you don't." I didn't have a good answer for her.

So, I'd like the hive's take on this. I have always been a good test-taker, and it was kind of inherent. No one ever taught me how......

So hive, how do you teach test-taking skills to your students? (Aside from just taking lots of tests).

:bigear::bigear:

Jackie

[Kathy in MD]

So dd and I were talking about the NLE today. She is considering taking this test next year. We looked at some of the sample questions, and dd really kind of froze. I have seen her do this before in Algebra also. Now, her confidence level in these two subjects is not high. But she excells with essay questions such as in her on-line Omnibus course.

I told her that test-taking is a skill that we need to develop. When she asked me "How is it a skill? I mean, you either know the answer or you don't." I didn't have a good answer for her.

So, I'd like the hive's take on this. I have always been a good test-taker, and it was kind of inherent. No one ever taught me how......

So hive, how do you teach test-taking skills to your students? (Aside from just taking lots of tests).

:bigear::bigear:

Jackie

Here's some hints my teachers taught me,

1) Go with your first guess, generally it's right

2) If you get stuck on a question, go on and come back to it later. The answer may come to you or you may get a hint from one of the other problems.

3) Mine other questions for answers to ones you've forgotten.

4) If there are no penalties for wrong answers, guess. Never leave a blank. Try to eliminate wrong answers first.

5) If there is a penalty for wrong answers, like the SAT (0 pts for o answer, -1/4 pt for wrong), try to eliminate as many answers as possible. If you can eliminate, then guess.

6) On multiple choice, if all else fails answer B :D. Text makers may have broken away from that pattern by now, though.

7) Mark any answer you're not sure of or didn't answer with a ? in the margin. I you have time, you can quickly spot what you missed to return to. If not, you know what you need to brush up on before the next test.

8) Check your work.

9) Write a fast and dirty outline prior to starting an essay question.

And my ds's tutor added:

10) Do a brain dump of any formulas or rules (or other confusing facts) onto your test paper before you look at the first question.