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Aaron J. Powner, M.Ed.
High School Science Teacher

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TEST TAKING STRATEGIES

Calm Down, Stay Alert

• Take a few deep breaths and relax tense muscles. Repeat this throughout the test.
  
• Take Sensory Breaks as Needed

Use Your Time Wisely

• If you have time, preview the entire test, skimming the question topics
• Use all of the time given for the test to review your work
• Answer the easiest questions first, returning to the more difficult ones later

Think Clearly and Carefully

• Carefully read the whole text of each question and look carefully at any tables, graphs, or pictures before you look at the answers
• Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible choices
• Read all the choices before choosing your answer

Math and Problem-Solving Questions

• Read the directions carefully and remember to answer all parts of the question
• Draw a picture of the situation described in the problem
• Make a list of what you know
• Identify the unknown (goal of the problem)
• Lay out the steps to be performed, breaking the problem into parts (logic train)
• Estimate the correct answer to ensure that your calculation is close to a reasonable answer
• Remember that the answer should be no more accurate than the information you are given
• Remember to include units of measure

Outsmart the Test

• Information given in one question may be helpful in answering another
• Eliminate answers you know are not right; this increases the odds you will guess the right answer
• In "all of the above" and "none of the above" situations... If you are certain one of the statements is true, don't choose "none of the above." If you are certain one of the statements is false, don't choose "all of the above."
• If one of the options is "all of the above" and you see at least two correct statements, then "all of the above" is probably the correct answer.
• In "true/false" situations, if any part of the question is false, then the entire statement is false
• In "true/false" situations, read the question carefully, paying attention to the qualifiers and keywords (e.g., the words never, always, every, usually, sometimes, and generally)

If You Have to Guess...

• A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one.
• Often, the correct answer is the choice with the most information.
• If two choices are similar, choose neither of them
• If two choices are opposites, choose one of them
• In "true/false" situations, statistically the correct choice is more likely to be "true"
• In multiple choice questions, choice "C" is statistically the best guess
• Don't keep changing your answer; if you have read the question correctly, your first instinct is usually the most correct