Test-taking Strategies…
F O R T H E E O C T I N 9 TH G R A D E L I T E R A T U R E
Be Prepared!
 Write important things to do like getting a good
nights rest the night before and having a good
breakfast the morning of the test. Also, included
having number two pencils.
Reframe Your ThinkingUse POSITIVE self-talk
 This flap includes positive self-talk such as ”I can do
it” and “I am ready for the test.”
 If you find yourself saying negative things to yourself
such as “I can’t pass this test,” it is important to
recognize that you are doing this.
 Stop and think positive thoughts such as “I prepared
for this test, and I am going to do my best.” Letting
the negative thoughts take over can affect how you
take the test and your test score.
Stop, Look, Listen-Focus on the Test!
 This flap reminds the you to be still, look at the test
administrator, and listen to the directions.
 Try to block out whatever else is going on around
you. Take your time and think about what you are
asked to do. Listen carefully to all the directions.
No Fear: Take a Break if you NEED to…
 Take a quick break if you begin to feel tired.
 To do this, put your pencil down, relax in your chair,
and take a few deep breaths. Then, sit up straight,
pick up your pencil, and begin to concentrate on the
test again.
 Remember that each test section is only 60 minutes.
Plug it in
 This flap reminds you to use each of the multiple
choice answers to fill in the blank. Some won’t make
sense and will help them narrow their choices down.
 Read the entire question and the possible answer
choices. It is important to read the entire question so
you know what it is asking.
 Read each possible answer choice. Do not mark the
first one that “looks good.”
Jail the Detail: Think Logically!
 This flap reminds you to circle or underline the key
words in a test question. You can look for the key
words in the reading passage.
Stash the Trash
 Many times, there are sentences included in test
questions that really aren’t important. This tip reminds
you to cross out any unnecessary information. This
includes answer choices you already know don’t belong.
This tip can also be called “Slash” the Trash.
 If you have tried your best to answer a question but you
just aren’t sure of the answer, use the process of
elimination. Look at each possible answer choice. If it
doesn’t seem like a logical response, eliminate it. Do this
until you’ve narrowed down your choices. If this doesn’t
work, take your best educated guess. It is better to mark
something down than to leave it blank.
Use What You Know!
 Draw on what you have learned in class, from this
study guide, and during your study sessions to help
you answer the questions.
Pace Yourself
 You are given PLENTY of time to take your test.
That being said, you need to pace yourselves. This
just means not rushing through the test and also
watching the time and making sure you are not going
too slow as well.
Check it out This last flap reminds you to check over your
answers when you have completed the test if there is
time left. If you have a scantron, it’s also good to
check it for stray marks.
On the inside…
Analyze
Evaluate
Describe
Break it down into
parts.
Tell about the parts.
Tell the good
and the bad.
Judge it.
Tell me about it.
Give details about it.
Paint a picture with
words.
Infer
Support
Explain
Read between the lines.
What is the hidden
meaning?
Back up the
information.
Prove.
Provide evidence
Teach me or show me.
Tell the steps.
Summarize
Compare
Contrast
Tell the main idea.
Tell the beginning,
middle, and end
Tell all the ways they
are the same.
Tell all the ways they
are different.
Predict
Trace
Formulate
Hypothesize
Make an educated
(smart) guess
Outline. Explain the
development. Follow
(or explain) the path.
Create.
Put together.