STANDARDIZED TESTS
What is your test taking future?
As a student in the Capistrano Unified School District, you will take approximate 32 standardized tests before graduating as a high school senior. These are the "big" exams:
STAR: One each spring 2°d grade through grade 11.
CORE: One each fall and spring 2"d grade through grade 11.
PSAT: Probably at least once as a freshman or sophomore.
SAT: Probably at least once as a junior or senior (SAT=Scholastic Aptitude
Test)
How are these scores used?
STAR and Core
· Your test scores are used as an indicator of how much YOU are learning from year to year. These scores are also used to help teachers learn what you know and find ways to improve instruction.
· These scores are used to help teachers focus instruction on areas where the school could improve. This year we are focusing on improving SPELLING.
· These scores are used to determine how Niguel Hills compares to other schools within our district and throughout the state.
· High school students can earn scholarships towards college for high STAR scores.
· CORE scores are used to determine class placement in high school.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Colleges and universities believe that SAT scores are one of the best predictors of how well students will do in college. That is why SAT scores are used by colleges and universities to help determine who they will admit from all the applications they receive.
ACT
A college admission test required by over half of the colleges in the United States. It is usually taken in the junior year of high school. Like the SAT test the ACT predicts success in college.
Advanced Placement (A.P.)
Advanced Placement tests are taken at the end of Advanced Placement courses, which are college level courses taken in high school. If you pass the test, you can earn college credit as well as high school credit.
High School Exit Exam
All students graduating from high school in the year 2004 and beyond must pass the California State High School Exit Exam. Approximately 60% of the information and skills you learn in middle school will be on that exam.
Building Test-taking Skills
At some time, in almost every student's life a score on a test will seriously affect the possibilities that lie ahead for them. Your education options and your job options are all based, in part, on your ability to perform well on standardized tests.
Although knowledge of the information on a test is the most important step in preparing for an exam, a lack of skill in taking tests may prevent you from obtaining the highest score possible.
Here are some ideas to improve your test scores:
· Read the directions carefully when the teacher hands out the test. If you don't understand them, ask the teacher to explain.
· Look quickly at the entire examination to see what types of questions are included (multiple choice, matching, true/ false, essay) and, if possible, the number of points for each. This will help you pace yourself.
· If you don't know the answer to a question, skip it and go on. Don't waste time worrying about it. Mark it so you can identify it as unanswered. If you have time at the end of the exam, return to the unanswered question(s).
· If you have extra time, check your answers. If you finish a test before your time is up, don't hand in your test. Use the extra time to check over your answers. Do not frustrate yourself, however, by concentrating on questions that you simply don't know how to answer.
· Fill in answers on standardized tests carefully. Many standardized tests have separate answer sheets. Make sure that the number you are answering corresponds to the number of the question. If you skip a question, be sure to leave the space for that question blank. Make sure you fill in the blanks completely so that the machine that grades the test can easily record your answer.
Reducing Test Anxiety
Keep a positive attitude. Decide to do your best and focus on the material you know.
Take several deep breaths and try to focus
Stand and stretch between tests. Getting up and moving can help to relieve tension.
Stand and stretch between tests. Getting up and moving can help to relieve tension.
Test Prep Questions
1. How many tests will you take before graduating as a senior? A. 32?
2. Name one big exam. (this question can be given 4 times)
A. SAT. PSAT, SAT 9 or STAR. High School Exit Exam, CORE
3. What does the CORE and SAT 9 tests measure?
A. How you as an individual are learning from year to year.
4. Why is it important to do well on these standardized tests? (This can be given 5 times)
A. 1. It helps teachers to know how much you know. 2. It helps the school to focus instruction on where their teachers could improve. 3. It helps to determine how Niguel Hills compares to other schools within our district and throughout the state. 4. In high school, you can earn scholarship money. 5. Scores can be used for placement in high school classes.
5. What is the SAT test?
A. A test that predicts how well students will do in college. It can determine whom colleges and-universities will accept for admission.
6. What is the ACT test? `
A. A test that predicts how well students will do in college. It can determine who colleges and universities will accept for admission
7. What is an A.P. test?
A. The A.P. test is taken in high school at the end of an Advanced Placement class. Students who pass the test can earn college credit as well as high school credit.
8. True or False: Skill in taking tests may help you do better on any standardized test? - ~"
A. TRUE
9. True or False: You should always read directions carefully before beginning a test
A. TRUE
10. What should you do if you do not understand the directions? A. Ask the teacher to explain
11. Looking at the questions and the number of questions will do what:
A. Frustrate you B. finish the test C. pace yourself D. make sure the numbering is correct.
A. C. pace yourself
12. If you don't know the answer to a question you should:
A.skip it and go on. B. Do not waste time worrying about it C. Lightly mark it so you can go back at the end of the exam and think about it. D. A.. ~f the above.
A. All of the above
13. If you have extra time you should:
A. Check vour answers B. talk to a friend C. go to the restroom D. put your head down and relax
A. A. Check your answers
14. If you skip a question you should:
A. Go back to it later B. Be sure that you leave a blank space so that your numbering is correct. C. Assume that you do not possess the brains other kids have. D. A and B
A. D. A and B
15. When taking a scantron test it is important to
A. bubble in the circle completely B. leave no stray marks on the test that could impact your score. C. Erase all incorrect answers completely. D. all of the above .
A. D. all of the above
16. Give some ideas to reduce test anxiety. (this question can be given 4 times)
A. Keep a positive attitude. 2. Focus on the material you know 3. Close your eyes for aminute and take some deep breaths 4. Stand and stretch between tests (you may get other responses which may be accepted as you determine)
17. When you try to respond to a question you are not sure of a good strategy is to:
A. Eliminate any answers you know are wrong. B. Leave it blank C. fill in all the choices D. ask to get a drink.
A. A. Eliminate any answers you know are wrong.
18. An important test strategy is:
A. Do not give up if the answer is too hard to find. There will be easier questions to.
B. Skip question you do not know and go back to them later. C. Check your numbering from time to time to see to it you are on the correct number. D. All of the above
19. Students often receive a lower score because they:
A. Do not fill in the bubble completely B. Do not erase incorrect answers completely C. Do not erase stray marks D. Get off on their numbering E. all of the above.
A E all the above
20. When you finish the test you should:
A. Talk to a friend B. Get a pass and go outside to get a drink and visit with friends. C. read quietly D. work quietly on homework E. C and D
A. C and D
21. True or False: Your parents will receive a copy of your scores: A. TRUE
22. How can you come into the classroom prepared to take the test? (this question can be given 4 times)
A.1. Have a good nutritious breakfast. 2. Get a good nights sleep. 3. Concentrate and be confident. 4. Think positively