Strategies for Taking
Standardized Tests
What We Know About the
EOG Assessment for English Language Arts
and Reading
Format
• 48 questions for grade 6
• 3-4 hours
• 6 reading passages: a balance of literature
including poetry and informational text
• Selections are longer (some are more than 3
pages)
• Readability levels span from middle school
through high school
What We Know About the
EOG Assessment for English Language Arts
and Reading
Trends in Reading Skills
• Summarizing
• Central idea/main idea
• Meanings of words in context
• Author’s choice and author’s purpose
• Details that are “right there”
• Figurative language (identifying and analysis)
• Evidence to support claims and ideas
What We Know About the
EOG Assessment for English Language Arts
and Reading
Questions and Tasks
• Reading Literature
• Reading Information
Common Core Reading Standards
Craft and Structure
Key Ideas and Details
Strand
Science & Technical Subjects
ELA
Social Studies/History
RST.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to RI.8.1- Cite the textual evidence that most RH.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to
support analysis of science and technical strongly supports an analysis of what the support analysis of primary and secondary
texts.
text says explicitly as well as inferences
sources.
drawn from the text.
RST. 6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or
conclusions of a text; provide an accurate
summary of the text distinct from prior
knowledge or opinions.
RST. 6-8.3. Follow precisely a multistep
procedure when carrying out
experiments, taking measurements, or
performing technical tasks.
RST. 6-8.4. Determine the meaning of 
symbols, key terms, and other domainspecific words and phrases as they are
used in a specific scientific or technical
context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and
topics.
RST. 6-8.5. Analyze the structure an

author uses to organize a text, including
how the major sections contribute to the
whole and to an understanding of the
topic.
RST. 6-8.6. Analyze the author’s purpose 
in providing an explanation, describing a
procedure, or discussing an experiment in
a text.
RI.8.2- Determine a central idea of a text 
and analyze its development over the
course of the text, including its
relationship to supporting ideas; provide
an objective summary of the text.
RI.8.3- Analyze how a text makes

connections among and distinctions
between individuals, ideas, or events
(e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or
categories).
RI.8.4. Determine the meaning of words
and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the impact of
specific word choices on meaning and
tone, including analogies or allusions to
other texts.
RI.8.5. Analyze in detail the structure of a
specific paragraph in a text, including the
role of particular sentences in developing
and refining a key concept.
RH.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or
information of a primary or secondary
source; provide an accurate summary of
the source distinct from prior knowledge
or opinions.
RH.6-8.3. Identify key steps in a text’s
description of a process related to
history/social studies (e.g., how a bill
becomes law, how interest rates are
raised or lowered).
RH.6-8.4. Determine the meaning of
words and phrases as they are used in a
text, including vocabulary specific to
domains related to history/social studies.
RI.8.6. Determine an author’s point of 
view or purpose in a text and analyze how
the author acknowledges and responds to
conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
RH.6-8.6. Identify aspects of a text that
reveal an author’s point of view or
purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion
or avoidance of particular facts).
RH.6-8.5. Describe how a text presents
information (e.g., sequentially,
comparatively, causally).
We’re All in This Together!!
Common Core Reading Standards
Craft &
Structure
Key Ideas and Details
Strand
Science & Technical Subjects
RST.6-8.1. Cite specific textual
evidence to support analysis of
science and technical texts.
ELA
RI.8.1- Cite the textual evidence that most
strongly supports an analysis of what the
text says explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text.
RST. 6-8.2. Determine the central RI.8.2- Determine a central idea of a text 
ideas or conclusions of a text;
and analyze its development over the
provide an accurate summary of course of the text, including its
the text distinct from prior
relationship to supporting ideas; provide
knowledge or opinions.
an objective summary of the text.
RST. 6-8.3. Follow precisely a
RI.8.3- Analyze how a text makes

multistep procedure when
connections among and distinctions
carrying out experiments, taking between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g.,
measurements, or performing
through comparisons, analogies, or
technical tasks.
categories).
RST. 6-8.4. Determine the
 RI.8.4. Determine the meaning of words
meaning of symbols, key terms,
and phrases as they are used in a text,
and other domain-specific words including figurative, connotative, and
and phrases as they are used in a technical meanings; analyze the impact of
specific scientific or technical
specific word choices on meaning and
context relevant to grades 6–8
tone, including analogies or allusions to
texts and topics.
other texts.
WCPSS Middle School Team 2012-13
Social Studies/History
RH.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support
analysis of primary and secondary sources.
RH.6-8.2. Determine the central ideas or informati
of a primary or secondary source; provide an
accurate summary of the source distinct from prio
knowledge or opinions.
RH.6-8.3. Identify key steps in a text’s description
process related to history/social studies (e.g., how
bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or
lowered).
RH.6-8.4. Determine the meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in a text, including
vocabulary specific to domains related to
history/social studies.
Questions Stems from 2013 released versions of
READY EOG Assessments and Extend 2 for 6-8 English
Language Arts and Reading
Questions Stems for General Reading Selections

















Which detail/statement supports/summarizes the central idea?
Which quote summarizes the central idea of the selection?
What can be inferred by x?
What is the meaning of the word/phrase x?
Which statement supports the author’s purpose for the selection?
Which quote supports the claim x?
Which statement from the selection supports the claim?
What is the impact of putting a word in quotations/in a heading/in italics?
How does the choice of words impact the meaning?
What impact does the author’s choice of words (in the title, a paragraph, etc.) have on the meaning of
the selection?
What is the impact of x?
What explains the author’s purpose?
Which statement supports the author’s attitude?
What does the author mean by x?
Which purpose is served by paragraph # ___?
Why does the author include a particular quote?
How does the first sentence affect the reader’s understanding?
Questions Stems from 2013 released versions of
READY EOG Assessments and Extend 2 for 6-8 English
Language Arts and Reading
Reading Literature







What does x reveal about the speaker/character?
What is the theme?
How does the first paragraph/stanza contribute to the theme/reader’s understanding?
What is the effect of figurative language?
How does setting affect the selection?
How are characters affected by the setting?
How does dialogue impact plot?
Reading Informational Text







Which statement is true?
What claim by the author has insufficient evidence?
How does the author prove the claim?
Which statement is irrelevant to the claim?
Which sentence supports the assumption/assertion?
How does x refine the author’s idea?
How does the author encourage x?
What’s different about the
EOG/EOC
• You will take the calculator
inactive and active on the same
day.
• After you finish the inactive
section check it over to make
sure you have answered and
bubbled in all questions.
What’s different about the
EOG/EOC
• Once you start the active section
you cannot go back to the inactive
section. If you go back and look at
questions or change any answers it
will be a misadministration!
• Gridded response questions are on
the inactive section.
How many questions are on
the EOG/EOC?
Ready EOG Mathematics - Grades 6-8
Number of Questions
Type of Question
Multiple-choice – calculator inactive
Constructed-response – calculator inactive
Multiple-choice – calculator active
TOTAL*
*Each total includes 10 experimental questions
General
7
11
42
NCEXTEND2
7
8
35
60
50
Ready EOC Algebra I / Integrated I Assessment
Number of Questions
Type of Question
Multiple-choice – calculator inactive
Constructed-response – calculator inactive
Multiple-choice – calculator active
TOTAL*
*Each total includes 10 experimental questions
General
6
12
42
NCEXTEND2
7
8
35
60
50
What is on the EOG?
Content Standard
% of EOG
Number Sense
Expressions and Equations
Ratios and proportional Relationships
Geometry
Statistics and Probability
27-32
27-32
12-17
12-17
7-12
Grid-In Questions
Grid-In Questions
Calculators
• No one can help you with a
calculator question or issue during
the EOG.
• If your calculator is not doing what
you want-clear it and try again –
2nd-0 – 7 – 1 – 2.
• If your calculator dies-raise your
hand and you can get a new one.
Social Studies MSL’s(Measure Student Learning)
Standard
Multiple Choice
History
Geography
Geographer Tools
Economy
Civics & Government
Culture
Total Percent of Items
Total Percent of Score
13% - 24%
13% - 24%
3% - 14%
6% - 18%
13% - 24%
10% - 21%
87% - 92%
75% - 80%
Constructed Response
0% - 5%
0% - 5%
0% - 5%
0% - 5%
0% - 5%
0% - 5%
8% - 13%
20% - 25%
Social Studies MSL’s(Measure Student Learning)
Score 0 – No response or the response does not address the prompt
Score 1 – Identifies only one of the three requirements of a level
three performance
Score 2 – Fulfills only two of the three requirements of a level three
performance
Score 3 – Identifies the Quran, Arabic, and one lasting impact.
Social Studies MSL’s(Measure Student Learning)
Example Question: They will be asking the students to do 3 things. Each item is worth 1 pt.
Using the excerpt below, identify the holy book of the Islamic faith, the language in which it
was originally written, and a lasting impact of this relationship.
Paragraph
The Quran is the holy
book of Islam. It has
traditionally been
written in Arabic. This
has resulted in Arabic
being a recognized and
spoken language
throughout the world.
Graphic
The Quran is
the Holy
Book of
Islam
Arabic is
spoken
across the
globe
Number/Bullet
1 Book =
The
Quran
was
written in
Arabic
______________
2 Language =
______________
3 Effect =
______________
th
6
Grade Science MSL
(Measure of Student Learning)
MSL’s, often referred to as Common Exams,
are assessments that will be used to
measure student academic growth in
subjects not currently assessed with state
end-of-grade assessments.
Brief summary of the May 2013 MSL for 6th
Grade Science
Topics: Waves, Matter, Energy, Solar System,
Lithosphere, Plants, Ecosystems
Format:
Question Type
Total Percent of Score
Multiple Choice
80%-90%
Constructed Response
10%-20%
Sample: Constructed Response Question:
Soil composition is important. What is one
contributing factor for why soil composition
can vary from one location to another?
Explain your answer.
Score 0
Score 1
Score 2
No response or the response does not address
the prompt
Fulfills only 1 of 2 requirements of a level 2
performance
Identifies a contributing factor as to why soil
varies from one location to another; provides an
explanation for how that contributing factor
causes soil to vary
‘Twas the Night Before
Testing
• Go to bed on time.
(get at least 8 hours of sleep)
• Put a few number 2 pencils with
erasers in your backpack.
• Solve family/friend problems
before the testing date.
• Talk to your parents about any
concerns that you might have
about the test.
The Morning of Testing
• Eat a good breakfast.
• Think of what you will do to
relax after you get home from
school.
• Think Positive!
Multiple Choice Questions
• Read the question and all
answer choices before
marking anything.
Multiple Choice Questions
• Do not change your answers
unless you are very uncertain
about your first answer choice.
• Answer every question-no
answer counts as a wrong
answer. Make the most
intelligent guess you can.
Pace Yourself, Don’t Rush
• Don’t spend too much time on any
one question. Do your best and then
move on.
• Answers the easiest questions first,
but be sure to go back to those
questions you skipped.
• Don’t worry if others finish before you.
Focus on the test in front of you.
The Process of Elimination
• After you have been through all of
the questions once, go back and find
questions you have some knowledge
about and eliminate choices that you
know are incorrect and cross them
out.
I know C isn’t
the answer!
The Process of Elimination
• If you can eliminate two wrong
answers, your chance of
choosing the right answer is
greater.
Answering Questions
• Don't guess blindly, but if you
have time to think about the
best answer choice, make it!
Key Words
• Find key words or phrases
in the question that will help
you choose the correct
answer.
Skip, Return, Check
• If you finish early, check to
make sure you have
answered all questions.
Math Computation
• When using scratch paper on a math
test, double check to make sure that
you have copied the problem correctly
from the test booklet!
Are we communicating?
• Make sure you understand
what the question is asking.
• Be sure you are responding to
the question that is being
asked.
Math Computation
• Line up place value correctly on your
scratch paper (thousands, hundreds,
tens, ones) or the answer will be
incorrect.
Math Computation
• If your answer does not match one
of the choices, reread the problem,
recopy the numbers, and try
solving it again.
A Matter of Time
• If any time remains, spend it on
those questions about which you
know nothing or almost nothing.
• As you go back through, do not
change all answers.
• Remember: Your first
guess is usually right.
It’s About Time
• Don’t spend too much time
rewriting or obsessing
about neatness.
• Remember you can get
extra time so don’t rush!
You have 4 hours total to
take the math EOG.
The Death Grip
• If your arm tires during testing it
is probably due to the grip that
you have on your pencil.
• Relax the grip and give those
muscles a break.
• Do not do arm exercises during
testing as this disturbs others.
Final Tips
• Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly,
and erase stray marks.
• Double-check the question number
in your test booklet against the
answer sheet every few questions
to be sure you are bubbling the
correct problem.
Thank you, Mr. Know-it-all!
• Remember it's okay not to
know everything — unlike
class tests, these tests will
have some questions designed
to challenge the limits of your
knowledge.
Scores
• Since this year is the first year for
the new EOG, scores will not be
available until the fall (around
October).
• Teachers cannot tell you if you
passed or failed yet.
Good Luck!
• Relax and don’t stress! You
are prepared and I know
you will do well!
Created by Stacey Johnson
Information from http://www.testtakingtips.com/ and jc-schools