Test Preparation
Step 1 Pre-game
1.
•
2.
•
•
3.
•
•
4.
•
•
•
Get a good nights sleep on the night before the
exam
Do not stay up all night doing last minute cramming
Eat before the test.
The test starts at noon.
Eat breakfast and lunch before the exam
Do not over stress
Prepare as much as you can
Do not worry about what is beyond your control
Be prepared
Two #2 pencils
Blue or black pen
Snack for the break
Multiple Choice
Pacing
• Work at a consistent pace
• Do not get stuck on one question
• If you do not know an answer, skip it and
go back
• Remember- All questions are worth the
same toward the final score
Multiple Choice
• 55 minutes, 80 questions
Era
• 1450-1815 = 50%
• 1815-present = 50%
Themes
• Political and diplomatic = 30-35%
• Cultural and Intellectual = 30-35%
• Social and Economic = 30-35%
Multiple Choice
Types of Questions
• Standard Multiple Choice
• EXCEPT/NOT
• Illustration – Map, Political Cartoon,
Painting or Poster
• Interpret a graph or chart
Multiple Choice
• No specific military history questions
- Questions about wars will involve political
or diplomatic concerns, introduction of new
technologies
- Not strategy
Multiple Choice
• No trivial pursuit questions
• Questions tend to focus on the big picture
No Sure?
If you are unsure of answer….
• Use Process of Elimination
• Improve your odds of guessing correctly
Remember
• Read question carefully
• Read all of the answers carefully
Essays
•
•
•
•
•
Read the question carefully
Answer the question!
Address all aspects of the question
No narrative!
Show that you understand the big picture
Essays
• Remember that your time is limited
- The test graders understand that
• Make your essay easy to read and
understand, the grader will appreciate it.
Remember - Graders read 100 essays per
day
Essays
Read question carefully
• Underline key words, circle dates
• Brainstorm ideas
• Decide what point you will argue, this is
your thesis
• Tailor your argument to the information
you have/remember
Essays
Outline
1. Paragraph with thesis statement
2. Three paragraphs that support your
argument, packed up by evidence
3. Conclusion. Reiterate the thesis
Essays
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Address the question directly
Keep sentences as simple as possible
Write clearly and neatly
Define your terms
Use transition words to show where you are going
(furthermore, also, in addition) or transition (however, yet)
Structural Indicators ex. 1st, 2nd, last or “on one hand” then
“on the other hand”
Stick to your outline
Prove one big picture idea per paragraph
Provide evidence
Place essay in historical context
DBQ
What must I discuss in order to answer the
question successfully?
• Address all parts of the question
• Organize Essay
• Gather Outside Information
DBQ
Read The Documents
• Pay attention to the order in which the
documents appear
• Watch for inconsistencies, recognize
contradictions
• Identify Source
- Political ideology, class, race, gender, religion
- Could explain difference of opinion (POV, bias)
• Look for evidence that can refute your argument
- Shows you understand the complexity of issue
DBQ
Thesis
• Needs to provide an answer, not simply
restate question
• Make sure it addresses all aspects of the
question
• Should mention the groups you are going
to use to organize your essay
REMEMBER THE RUBRIC