Bell Ringer 1/28/10Bell Ringer 1/28/10

How do you think you did on your How do you think you did on your test yesterday? Why?test yesterday? Why?

Regardless of your grade, what do Regardless of your grade, what do you think you could do to make you think you could do to make yourself a better test taker?yourself a better test taker?

What are some of your bad habits What are some of your bad habits during tests?during tests?

Test Taking SkillsTest Taking Skills

What is wrong with this What is wrong with this picture?picture?

What do you do on your What do you do on your tests?tests?

Do you read through the entire question, Do you read through the entire question, including all of the answers?including all of the answers?

Do you eliminate the wrong answers on multiple Do you eliminate the wrong answers on multiple choice questions?choice questions?

Do you reason out why answers are wrong or Do you reason out why answers are wrong or right?right?

Do you make educated guesses?Do you make educated guesses? Do you really study for a test?Do you really study for a test? Do you write out answers in complete sentences Do you write out answers in complete sentences

when you study or write answers on a test?when you study or write answers on a test? Do you get nervous taking tests?Do you get nervous taking tests? Do you day dream during tests?Do you day dream during tests? Do you get distracted easily?Do you get distracted easily?

NervousnessNervousness

Practice the neutral tool – stop Practice the neutral tool – stop negative thinkingnegative thinking

Write down positive what if questionsWrite down positive what if questions Think good thoughtsThink good thoughts Get good sleepGet good sleep Eat nutritious meals Eat nutritious meals Try breathing techniquesTry breathing techniques Try a little chocolate before the test.Try a little chocolate before the test. Be preparedBe prepared

What is wrong with this What is wrong with this situation?situation?

I’m Juanita, and I’m close to failing two subjects. I want to pass so badly and I try harder and harder. I check with my teacher constantly about when the next test will be, then I study hard and worry about it each night. As the test gets closer, I get more and more nervous. I worry, “Can I pass this test? What if I mess up like I did the last time? Have I studied enough?” By the time I go take the test, I am almost shaking and have already decided there is no way that I will pass.

What is Juanita doing wrong? How can Juanita improve her test scores?

What is wrong with this What is wrong with this situation?situation?

I’m Jamal and I am going to be a baseball star. I am on a city league team. After school, I practice every afternoon until 5:30 p.m. When I get home, I eat, and then watch some TV. I usually start my homework about 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. I have a big test coming up in English, but I haven’t found much time to study. Besides, I would rather play baseball than anything, especially studying. But, I am a little worried about this test.

What is Jamal doing wrong? How can Jamal improve his test scores?

Multiple Choice QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions Read the question before you look at the answer. Read the question before you look at the answer. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the

possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you. throw you off or trick you.

Eliminate answers you know aren't right. Eliminate answers you know aren't right. Read all the choices before choosing your answer. Read all the choices before choosing your answer. If there is no guessing penalty, always take an If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educatededucated guess guess

and select an answer. and select an answer. Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is

the right one, unless you misread the question. the right one, unless you misread the question. In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are

certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above". above".

In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer. the answer.

A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one. A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one. Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information.Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most information.

The antebellum Republican party was The antebellum Republican party was distinct from the Democrats primarily distinct from the Democrats primarily in what way?in what way?– A. Only Southerners supported A. Only Southerners supported

Democrats, while Northerners supported Democrats, while Northerners supported RepublicansRepublicans

– B. All Rep. wanted to abolish slavery, B. All Rep. wanted to abolish slavery, while all Dem. supported slavery.while all Dem. supported slavery.

– C. Rep. were united in their support of C. Rep. were united in their support of slavery, while Dem were divided.slavery, while Dem were divided.

– D. Rep. adamantly opposed the extension D. Rep. adamantly opposed the extension of slavery into new territories, while Dem of slavery into new territories, while Dem were often divided on the issue.were often divided on the issue.