The nice thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.
Andrew S. Tanenbaum, 1944 - American computer scientist
Testing with success series
Succeeding with standardized tests*
A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in
a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a
way that the questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and
interpretations are consistent
and are administered and scored in a predetermined, standard
manner.
Their use has expanded from assessing and ranking students, to evaluating curriculum, teachers, schools, and even school systems.
However, as a student, these twelve tips will help you succeed and perform
your best:
Before the test day
Give yourself adequate time to prepare Standardized
tests are performance tests. Each standardize test has its own strategy for
assessment. The more familiar you are with each of its sections, the
types of questions, time restraints, etc. the better off we are the more
focus you can apply to answering questions rather than organizing your
strategy.
Pace your preparation Give yourself a break from time to time so that your mind can absorb what you’ve
learned during your preparation. By creating a study
checklist and timeline, and holding to it, you will be better
positioned to succeed. Another strategy is to seek advice at your school
especially if you feel you need an accommodation for effectively taking the
test. (Research on effective strategies for determining which students get which accommodations is still being done,
and should be based on your individual characteristics.)
Familiarize yourself with the structure and directions (or
instructions) beforehand This will free up your time at the testing site
to focus on the test items themselves.
Take practice tests under timed conditions As you
prepare, practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the conditions
you encounter on test day. This will also aid you in building up your mental
stamina.
Practice using relevant practice questions Practice using questions and authorized sample tests by authorized sources
of the particular standardize test. For example, if you are taking the The SAT
or the SAT Subject Tests to assess your academic readiness for college, use
practice questions made by the College Board that produces the test in
collaboration with the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Practicing on these
questions will be the best investment of your time. If you chose to
practice through other test preparation companies, be sure to verify their success
statistics!
Avoid cramming Cramming for a standardized test
will lead to minimal or no improvements.
If you adequately prepare, it will be better to get adequate rest, food and
exercise the day of the test to sharpen your mind. Cramming can also increase
your stress and thus affect your
performance on test day. See our guide on mastering one test.
Taking the test
Make use of your test booklet Make use of your test
booklet, scratch paper, etc. as permitted. Again, if permitted, use the test
booklet as a workbook to best answer the question – underline sentences, circle
key words, cross out incorrect answers to help arrive at correct ones, work out
your math, etc. Don't forget to mark your answer on the answer sheet though!
Read test questions actively Passive reading is reading
for entertainment. Active reading is necessary when taking
standardized tests. When responding to a particular question, understanding
words or concepts, and their relationship to each other, can reveal the
answer. With active reading, be on the lookout for any clues or context that
leads you to the correct answer. By better understanding what is expected, you will succeed in arriving at the correct answer.
Pace yourself Pacing yourself is extremely important on
standardized tests. Standardized tests can be designed to be tight for time
so as to access your ability to work under time sensitive conditions. If a
question seems too difficult, move on and return as time permits.
Complete easy questions first Answer easy questions first
in order to build confidence as you proceed, and even to put yourself in a
mindset of the content and test. Scanning the
test will help you identify and answer the easy questions, and familiarize
yourself with difficult ones and let your brain mull them over as you scan and
answer. If the timed test is graded on the number of
questions answered, you also gain points by completing those easy ones quickly. You can always return to more difficult
questions after the first go-round.
Multiple choice testing: the process of elimination
Many standardized tests, or portions of them, are made up of multiple choice
questions. With the process of elimination you first eliminate wrong answer
choices on difficult questions towards evaluating the correction option from
those remaining. This will also help you avoid careless mistakes. See also
our guide on multiple choice testing.
Bring something to eat and drink during breaks (if there are breaks)
If your standardized test has breaks in between them, bring a piece of candy,
vegetable or fruit snack to eat as well as soft drink or juice to drink--though
nothing heavy. This will also help you relieve stress!
Website overview:
Kiosk guides for learning are a freely accessible educational environment that offers strategies to recognize and realize learning objectives. We accept individual differences without regard to ability and creed; sexual and affectional orientation; caste, tribal and national affiliation; individual, familial and collective history. Our suggestions should be thoughtfully considered for appropriateness and guidance to your situation, relying on elders, mentors, cohorts and/or professionals to achieve learning objectives and outcomes.