Test Taking Strategies
AIMS & Benchmark
Test Prep
Cholla 2013 - 2014
Initial Brainstorm – on your lined paper
2 min

Brainstorm a list of the test taking strategies
that you already know. (Limit yourself to
multiple choice type of standardized tests.)

Which strategies do you prefer to use? star them

Are these strategies good to use when taking
the AIMS/Benchmark test?
Our Brainstorm Results
Previous Survey Responses To:
“What test taking strategies do I know?”
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I always pick letter (C, B,
G, etc)
Elimination (take away
an answer if it doesn’t
make sense)
Read the question first,
then the answers
Read the answers first,
then the questions
I make a zigzag pattern
on my answer sheet

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Reread the questions to
make sure I understand
Look closely at the
questions
Double check my work
Cover up the answers
with my hand
Work out the problems,
don’t just guess
I just guess
Test Taking Strategies
General Good Practices

Read the directions and each test question
carefully
–

Pay attention to BOLD, italics, and underlined
words or phrases.
Don't change your answer, usually your first
choice is the right one!
–
–
Unless you misread the question.
Only change it if you KNOW you did something
wrong the first time.
Test Taking Strategies
Review, Review, Review!!!

Review the Test
–
–

Review both questions and answers.
It is possible you misread questions the first time.
Make sure you didn’t leave any blanks
–
Unless you get points deducted for wrong answers,
ALWAYS ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS!
Be Familiar With The AIMS
Reference Sheet
There is super
useful info on
this sheet!
Don’t wait until
the test day to
figure it out.
Know how to
use it BEFORE
taking the test!
Test Taking Strategies - MATH
Making Smart Guesses
 Covering the Answers
 Reverse Engineer
 Elimination
 Estimation
 Simplify the Problem

–
–
Draw a Picture or Diagram
Make up your own numbers
Test Taking Strategies
Making Smart Guesses

Pay attention to “Look alike options”
–
probably one is correct.
Example #1
Example #2

When you have NO IDEA about which
answer is correct…
–
Toss out the high and low and consider the middle
range numbers.
Test Taking Strategies
Covering The Answers - Math Portion

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This is good for both math and language type
questions.
Cover the answers and come up with your own
answer before looking at the choices.
Especially helpful on math questions
containing graphs.
Math Example #1
Math Example #2
Test Taking Strategies
Reverse Engineer


Work Backwards! Meaning you start with the
answers and work backwards.
This works very well for many types of math
problems.
Algebra Example
Geometry Example
Test Taking Strategies
Elimination

Eliminate options you know to be incorrect.
–
Then make your guess among the remaining
options.
Example
Test Taking Strategies
Estimation

Use estimation techniques.
–
–
Example
Especially when the four answers are very different
numbers.
Remember you aren’t being tested on HOW you are
getting the answer, just that you are able to get the
right one!
Test Taking Strategies
Simplify The Problem


Draw a picture to better represent the situation.
Make up numbers and see what works. Make Up Numbers
Example
– Especially helpful on abstract problems.
– CAUTION…pick good numbers! Be careful when
picking 0, 1, & 2 because they sometimes behave in
unexpected ways.
–
Remember you aren’t being tested on HOW you are
getting the answer, just that you are able to get the right
one!
What strategy will you use?
Which shows the following function in
equation notation?
What strategy will you use?
What would be a reasonable
approximation for the given square root?
What strategy will you use?
Fred borrowed $575 from his mom to help
buy a truck. He paid her $25 every week until
the debt was paid.
What strategy will you use?
What is the value of x?
Strategy Review

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Stay Confident and Relaxed!
Do the Easy questions FIRST!
Use Strategies to Guess:
–
–
–


Eliminate known wrong answers
“Look- Alikes” - be aware of similar numbers
Work backwards – try substituting in the answers to solve it.
CHECK your work, make sure your answers are
reasonable!
Make sure you are putting your answer in the correct
bubble on the answer sheet! DON’T LEAVE ANY BLANKS!
RELAX, YOU WILL DO GREAT!
☺
Understanding Test Anxiety
AIMS & Benchmark
Test Prep
Cholla 2013 - 2014
Initial Brainstorm – on your lined paper
2 min

Imagine yourself waking up and getting ready
for school on AIMS testing day.
–

How do you feel?
Imagine yourself sitting in school taking the
AIMS test.
–
Write a minimum of three things that you are
thinking about while taking this test.
Survey Responses To:
“How do I feel on test day?” (write down on white board)
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Scared!
Stupid, I want to ditch
school.
I feel tired and slow.
Feel like I’m lazy
Hungry, can’t focus
Nervous
I’m going to Fail; I don’t
know half of this stuff!

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Everyone is going to do
better than me!
I want to tear it up!
I want to go home; I
don’t want to be there.
I feel prepared and
focused but also nervous
I want to take my time
and try my hardest.
Do You Get Test Anxiety?

Physical Symptoms:
headache, upset stomach,
rapid heart beat, can’t get
enough air, shaking, etc.

Emotional Symptoms:
feeling jittery, angry about
the test, unreasonably
afraid, overall lack of
energy, etc.
25
Is Pressure Good for Test Taking?

Some
pressure is
GOOD

Too much
pressure is
BAD
26
Image borrowed from MindTools.com
Test Anxiety
Unreasoned Fear
Reasoned Fear
(like a phobia)
(areas of weakness)
Ways to combat:
Ways to combat:
1. Systematic
Desensitization
1. Study Skills/Preparation
2. Self Talk
2. Test Taking Strategies
3. Mini-Rituals
What is Systematic Desensitization?

Repeated, frequent exposure to the stimulus.

How do we do this in sports?

How do we do this for AIMS?
–
ATI (Benchmark) Tests
Test Anxiety
Unreasoned Fear
Reasoned Fear
(like a phobia)
(areas of weakness)
Ways to combat:
Ways to combat:
1. Systematic Desensitization
1. Study Skills/Preparation
2. Self Talk
2. Test Taking Strategies
3. Mini-Rituals
What is Self-Talk?


Thoughts are powerful and your own mental chatter
can help you or harm you.
Give yourself a pep talk the way you would to your best
friend.
– “I can do this.”
– “I’ve practiced this; I’ve got this!”
– “I’m well prepared for this test.”
– Write on your lined paper a minimum of two phrases
that you will practice for positive self-talk both before
and during the test.
Don’t Make Your Test Anxiety
Worse!
Are there things that you do that
contribute to your test anxiety?
-Stimulants?
-Sleep Needs?
-Hydration?
-Plenty of Nutritious Foods?
Caffeine and Test Anxiety
Physical Symptoms:
headache, upset
stomach, rapid heart
beat, can’t get enough
air, shaking, etc.
Emotional Symptoms:
feeling jittery, angry about
the test, unreasonably
afraid, overall lack of
energy, etc.
On test day, avoid caffeine if you are feeling jittery,
light headed, or anxious.
–Remember caffeine is in coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks.
Caffeine and Performance

Caffeine will improve
your performance on
dull or boring tasks.

Caffeine will hurt your
performance on tasks
that are unfamiliar or
stressful.
33
Be Good To Yourself!

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Get AT LEAST 8 hours of sleep!
Stay away from junk food.
Eat a large, nutritious breakfast!
Drink plenty of water.
Stay away from excessive amounts of
caffeine. (energy drinks, lots of soda)
Test Anxiety
Unreasoned Fear
Reasoned Fear
(like a phobia)
(areas of weakness)
Ways to combat:
Ways to combat:
1. Systematic Desensitization
1. Study Skills/Preparation
2. Self Talk
2. Test Taking Strategies
3. Mini-Rituals
Mini-Rituals
What is a Mini-Ritual?

A quick, personal routine that is designed to
improve mental focus and generate a high
level of performance.
Does anyone already have one they use
when playing sports?
Key Components of the Mini-Ritual

Needs to be subtle (so you are comfortable doing it in a
room full of strangers)
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
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Needs to be quiet (so you don’t disrupt others)
Needs to be easy
Needs to work for you! (not all rituals will work for all
people)
Some Ideas For Your Mini-Ritual
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Shield
Recite
Find Your Happy Place
Three-Part Breathing
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Posture
Flex and Relax
Wristband
Combination
Mini-Rituals - Examples
1. Shield: Imagine you are sitting in a protected bubble, like
a force field. Visualize distractions bouncing off without
affecting you. Or imagine you are wearing a thick raincoat
and let distractions roll off your shoulders, like water.
2. Recite: Repeat a poem, prayer, or song you know well.
3. Find Your Happy Place: Think of a place where you
feel relaxed and well rested. Imagine yourself there,
completely content. What do you see, smell, and hear?
Mini-Rituals - Examples
4. Three-Part Breathing: First, sit up straight and
concentrate on bringing the new air all the way into your
abdomen. Bring the second breath into your rib cage and
feel your ribs move outward. Bring the third breath into the
tip of your chest. With each exhale, flex your stomach
muscles and expel all of the old stale air. There is more air
left in your lungs than you think.
5. Posture: Add a specific posture to your mini-ritual, such
as confidently throwing your shoulder back, stretching
your arms over your head, or placing your hands in a
certain gesture.
Mini-Rituals - Examples
6. Flex and Relax: Tense your shoulder and face. Flex your fingers
into fists. Hold your breath and count to five, then exhale and relax.
Repeat three times.
7. Wristband: Wear a flexible bracelet or a rubber band on your
wrist. Each time you catch your mind wandering, gently snap the band.
It’s a gentle way to say, “No, that’s not where I’m supposed to be right
now.” The wristband becomes a symbol of concentration.
8. Combination: Many rituals work best in combinations. For
example, try “flex and relax” with “three-part breathing”, or breathe
deeply while visualizing your happy place.
Practice – Practice – Practice!

With time and practice, your mini-ritual immediately
brings you into a powerful mental state of relaxed
concentration.

A well established mini-ritual is a great advantage for
long contests or high-pressure situations like the
AIMS, SAT, etc.
Following Slides Haven’t Been
Edited for AIMS
These are from SAT test prep presentations that I’ve done.
I have NOT edited or adapted for AIMS/Benchmark
Test Taking Strategy 1: Timing & Pacing

Do all question encoding in the test booklet!
–


NO STRAY MARKS ON BUBBLE SHEET!
Lightly versus Darkly filling in a bubble
How do you encode a question?
–
See Handout on Pink Paper
Test Taking Strategy 1: Timing & Pacing
Sample Encoding Symbols
My Encoding Symbol:
What it means to me:
O
~
This is the answer I chose
→
I like this answer
/
This is not an answer
{ }
These are hard questions
√
Double check this answer
This is a possible answer
Skip and come back if I have time
X
Not a chance, crazy hard
Test Taking Strategy 4: The Mind Game
Understanding Test Anxiety

Use a Bridge Technique
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–
–
–
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This links the information you study with certain objects.
Your bridge object can be a lucky token like a wristband, lucky
token, small stone, eraser, etc.
Make sure it is an object that will not raise objections in the
SAT testing room.
Hold this object in your palm while you are studying.
Concentrate on this object if you are feeling anxious during the
test.
47
Test Taking Strategy 4: The Mind Game
Building Mental Stamina
How can I lengthen my attention span?

Build Mental Stamina
1. Train endurance – push yourself by
studying for longer and longer periods of
time without a break. Work up to being
able to concentrate for 4 hours.
Test Taking Strategy 4: The Mind Game
Building Mental Stamina
2. Prepare to focus – pay attention to
what wakes you up and what calms you
down.
•
Before starting an SAT study session, set
aside a few minutes for an activity that will
help you feel focused and refreshed.
•
Perhaps exercise or a creative activity
works for you. (Quick Run, Play Guitar or
Video Game)
Test Taking Strategy 4: The Mind Game
Building Mental Stamina
3. Avoid the crash – notice how different
foods affect your ability to concentrate.
•
Many find it difficult to concentrate when
they are hungry.
•
Lots of caffeine and sugar will work in the
short term but lead to a energy crash.
•
Since the SAT is 4 hours long, you don’t
want to be hungry or fighting a caffeine
headache .
Test Taking Strategy 4: The Mind Game
Building Mental Stamina
4. Track your progress with a log – if you are
serious about improving your attention span, keep
a concentration log as you study. Experiment
with different mini-rituals, snacks, and activities to
see which works best for you.
Date
1-Mar
2-Mar
3-Mar
Start Stop Total Prepare/ MiniTime Time Time Activity Ritual
7:05
7:10
7:30
7:35
7:40
8:15
30 min.
30 min.
45 min.
Food/
Drink
Comments
short run
shield
none
hard to focus in the last
15min.
guitar
blank
screen
sandwich
felt better
guitar
blank
screen
soda
got a headache
Test Taking Strategy 4: The Mind Game
Understanding Test Anxiety

Memory is location specific
–
–
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Your brain links information to the place where you
learned it.
This can contribute to test anxiety.
Combat this by studying for the SAT in several
different places, both inside your house and in
public locations.
The Following Slides ARE LINKED
To the test taking strategies portion of the presentation.
Back To Previous Slide
Example #1 - Covering the Answers
The Theater Club is selling snack boxes. The graph shows
how much money the Club fund will raise based on the
number of boxes sold. Based on the graph, about how
much money will the Club fund receive if 90 boxes of
snacks are sold?
Back To Previous Slide
Example #2 - Covering the Answers
Which answer represents the phrase below?
twice the difference of two numbers
Back To Previous Slide
Example #1 of ‘Look Alike Options’
Back To Previous Slide
Using Elimination
Which is the y-intercept of the line represented by
the equation?
4x – 8y = 64
Remember you aren’t being tested
on HOW you are getting the
answer, just that you are able to
get the right one!
Back To Previous Slide
Example of using Estimation
Back To Previous Slide
Example of ‘Reverse Engineering’
for an Algebra problem
Which equation represents a line with a slope
of -2 that goes through the point (-2, 6)?
Back To Previous Slide
Example of ‘Reverse Engineering’
for a Geometry problem
Given the sum of the interior angles of a regular polygon is
720°, how many sides does the polygon have?
Use your AIMS reference sheet!
Test Taking Strategies
Make a Picture


This is helpful on math problems.
Especially on those that may be overly tricky.
Half of a Half of a Half
What would you get if you divided a half of a half
of a half by a half of a fourth of a half?
Back To Previous Slide
What to do about an overly
confusing problem.
Half of a Half of a Half
What would you get if you divided a half of a half of a
half by a half of a fourth of a half?
Make a picture
÷
Back To Previous Slide
Example #2 of ‘Look Alike Options’
Which answer represents the sentence below?
The product of two numbers (x and y) is two more than
their sum.
Back To Previous Slide
Making Up Your Own Numbers
5 + 10 = 15 and 15 = 15