Mr. Reimer's Test Taking Tips

General Tips:                                          

  1. Don't wait until the day before a test to study or look for help.  Be Prepared!
  2. Get a good night's sleep the night before a test.
  3. Relax.  You will think more clearly and do better.
  4. If you  are nervous, stop and take 3 deep  breaths. Think of something funny or something you really enjoy.  Clear your mind with these or other relaxation techniques.
  5. Eat a good breakfast. Food is fuel for your body. You wouldn't take a long car trip without filling the gas tank would you?
  6. Bring the appropriate materials to the test (pencils and a calculator if allowed).  Make sure you know how to use that calculator.
  7. Think positively. Tell yourself, " I studied, I  am  prepared, I  know this, I  will  do well."
  8. Answer the question(s) that are asked.  Follow directions.  Know what is being asked.
  9. Budget your time. 
  10. Make sure your answer is reasonable.
  11. Do the easy questions first.  On SATs and PSATs they are the ones that are in the beginning of the test.  (This is not the case on the HSPA.)
  12. Do not stop to  work on problems you find difficult. Mark them, skip them and go  back  to  them later if you  have time.
  13. For my tests, attempt all  questions. You can get partial credit for showing what you know.  This may not be true for other tests.  Know the rules.
  14. Change an answer ONLY when you're SURE that your first answer is wrong.  Trust me, I have seen many correct answers erased.
  15.  If you are using a calculator, estimate the answer to make sure what is displayed is reasonable.  (Did you hit the wrong key, forget to change the mode....)
  16.  If you have a formula sheet, make use of it.  If you know what it will look like, study it to know where each type of formula is written.

True/False  & Multiple Choice Problems:

  1.  Read the problem carefully.  Well written T/F questions can actually be very difficult.
  2.  Eliminate choices you know cannot be correct.  This improves your odds in getting it right.
  3. Estimating answers may help eliminate some responses.
  4. Do easy computations with paper and pencil (these are then easily rechecked). Use a calculator for the more difficult work.
  5. Use Problem Solving Techniques such as
    *  Logical reasoning
    *  Patterns
    *  Tables
    *  Working backwards
    *  Solving a simpler problem
    *  Write an equation
    *  Assess validity of each answer

Open Ended / Calculation Problems:

  1. Underline important words or phrases.
  2. Usually there is adequate room for your work on the test.  If you must use  scrap paper, highlight that the problem is done on an attached page.  Keep it neat and organized and staple it to your test. 
  3. Organize your solutions clearly.  You must show all work to earn credit.
  4. Some questions have multiple parts.  You must answer each part completely.  Identify each part.
  5. Label all measurements (e.g. feet, inches, cubic meters...)

Post Mortem:

  1.  If you did not finish, you were not sufficiently prepared.  It was not that the test was too long.  You just didn't know the concepts well enough.  Learn from your mistake and prepare better for the next test.
  2.  Review every test problem when it is returned.  Learn from your mistakes.  Make sure you understand what you did wrong and how to do it.  Actually redo the problems, even if that doesn't earn you "extra credit".