Test-taking tips Jan. 2026

​Taking a test is a game!
How are you going to play it?

By Heather Bowes

Purpose of today

​1. Think about our thinking - what have we done so far? Is it getting the results we want?
2. Tips to try during testing
3. Make your plan

​1. Why do we have to take tests?

• Tests measure student learning so far

• There are sometimes questions on content you have not been taught yet.

• These tests will not be a part of your grade in Infinite Campus - but that doesn't mean you should rush through them.

• It's all about how you play the game and use your strategies.

• ​Key Idea: Your brain works better when you are calm and confident.

• Take a deep breath

• Do your best, you do not have to be perfect

• Mistakes help us learn

​Your Mindset

Athletes and musicians warmup - you should too! DON'T start answering questions right away!

• Read directions carefully!! Possibly twice. 😉

• Check how many questions there are - number your paper to match(ESPECIALLY FOR MATH!)

• Notice how much time you have

• Do a Brain dump on your scratch paper -left margin or bottom

​Warmup - 💪🏼 before you
Start the test

Multiple Select

Why is reading directions important? (check all the correct answers)

• It helps you know what to do.

• It saves you time.

• It helps you have correct answers.

Manage Your Time ⏲ 10-80-10

​They give you enough time to answer all the questions and check back over your answers - SO DO THAT!

Smart Timing Tips:

• Don’t rush! Think of your test like a story;beginning, middle, end

• Don’t spend more than 4 minutes stuck on one hard question

• Leave time to check answers

• What if it's hard or you don't know it ? FLAG tool. Come back to it at the end.

​During the test strategies

Tips:

• Read the question & all answer choices 2 times - everyone gets read aloud on the math! USE IT.

• Cross out answers that don’t make sense or are wrong.

• Highlight key terms that help you know what the question is asking you to do or is a content vocabulary term important to answering.

• Ask yourself - what is this question asking or about? Look for clues.

• Watch for words like always or never

• Don't forget to use your scratch paper!!

• Draw a picture or diagram to help you solve it

During the test continued

​Ending your test😌

Tips:
1. Check the flagged questions and see if you can answer them now.
2. Work backwards as you review each question and make sure you chose an answer.

AVOID - giving up, changing answers without reason and rushing.

Poll

Is guessing better than leaving it blank?

• Yes

• No

• It depends - I'll explain.

• You are prepared

• Use your strategies

• Your teachers believe in you!

​

Remember

Open Ended

Make Your Personal Test Taking Plan: Reflect on what you did the first benchmark. Did you play the game or just get through it? Write your response and tell me the following;

• One strategy you already use

• One strategy you will try on the benchmarks