Van Nuys Middle School
STAR Testing Strategies
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Understanding the
challenge
Test taking strategies that
work
Doing our best
Being confident
Tools and Strategies to Prepare for the CST
Measuring Up – ELA, MATH
• CST Released Test Questions – ELA, MATH,
HISTORY, SCIENCE
• Kaplan Test-Taking Strategies – ELA, MATH
• Periodic Assessments – ELA, MATH, HISTORY
SCIENCE
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Jeopardy and millionaire math games
History Jeopardy Power Points
Study Island – ELA, MATH, HISTORY, SCIENCE
Daily warm-ups as a way of accessing prior knowledge
Dialogue with your fellow teachers
Instilling confidence in our students by recognizing
their hard work, not their intelligence
Commonly asked
questions regarding
standardized tests.
Why do we spend so much time
reviewing the instructions?
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If you do not understand
how to take the test,
YOU could make a
major mistake that could
negatively affect your
score.
If you have any
questions about how to
take the test ASK THE
TEACHER. It’s our job
to answer the questions
you have.
Can my test score be lowered if I
do not bubble in the right way?
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YES! Make sure you are bubbling in the answer
completely.
Use a dark, #2 pencil.
Keep track of skipped answers and make sure
your questions and answers match up on the
answer sheet.
Every fifth question (5,10, 15, so on) check to
make sure your test booklet and answer sheet
match up.
Getting Stuck
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What should I do if
I get stuck on a
question? Should I
work at it for a
while, or should I
skip it?
Getting Stuck
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Skip it. If you don’t get it within
a minute you are wasting time.
Leave that space blank and move
on to the next problem.
When you get to the end of the
test, come back and use the
strategies for guessing.
If you run out of time, make
sure you answer every question.
Guessing
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I don’t know the
answer should I
guess, or is it better
to leave the answer
blank?
Guessing
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YES!!! Guess, but only if you
don’t know the answer.
Guessing is the last thing
you do, not the first!
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Try to eliminate any obviously
wrong answers first.
You are not marked down for
wrong answers, so a guess is
better than a blank space.
Guessing
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“All of the Above” and “None of the
Above” should be considered carefully.
If the choice uses words like “never” and
“always” it is usually wrong.
Once you guess, stick with your answer.
Only change if you are absolutely sure you
are wrong.
If you get 5 “All or None of the above” in a
row….you may want to go back and double
check.
Why do we have to take these tests?
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The state of California wants
to know how much you
know compared to other
students in the same grade.
Your teachers need to know
what you know and what
you still need to learn. That
way, they will be able to
teach you better.
How well are we expected to do
on the test?
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You should always try to
do your best.
Your scores on these
tests will influence the
classes you are assigned
next year.
How well are we expected to do
on the test?
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You should show improvement
from last year’s score to this
year’s score; that means you
have learned more than you
were expected to learn in 1 year.
If your score remains the same,
that means you have learned 1years worth of work.
Your score should not go down.
Remember, this test is used to
measure what you do know,
not to make you feel bad because
of what you don’t know.
What if there is a question we
haven’t covered in class?
That is expected. The standardized tests are
designed to test every State Standard.
 Since the test is administered before the end
of the year, some of the information may
not have been covered yet in your classes.
 Do your best on what you do know and
remember from class.
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What about test
anxiety?
Test anxiety!
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It is normal to be nervous.
Just slow down and relax.
Take a few deep breaths.
Very few people get it all
right.
Remember: No one has ever
died from taking the
standardized test.
Take the tests one day at a
time.
Fight Test Anxiety!
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If you have a positive
attitude going into the
test, chances are you
will do better.
Having a positive
attitude will only make
you feel better.
What can I do to be physically
ready?
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Get a good night’s sleep! You need to be rested and
ready for the challenge of the new day.
This does not mean sleep in and get to school late, it
means go to bed earlier.
Eat a good breakfast. The school will even see that you
have one; we will feed you for free.
Stay away from soda, candy and coffee. They will make
you too hyper to take the test.
And….
Stay Positive!
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