Transcript Slide 1

SOL Test
Taking
Strategies
by Betty Collier, Retired Teacher
July 7, 2012
Sleep
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One key to doing well on the SOL TEST is
getting enough sleep the night before.
Most people need about 8 hours of
sleep. You may need a little more or a
little less. If you are well rested, you will
be better able to concentrate and
remember information.
On the day of the SOL test:
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Wear comfortable clothing and dress for
the temperature of your classroom.
You may want to dress in layers. This
way you’ll be ready if it is warm or cool
in the room.
On the day of the SOL test:
Glasses
 If you are supposed to wear
glasses, wear them!!!
On the day of the SOL test:
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Eat breakfast.
Food is what fuels your body and
mind. That is why eating a wellbalanced breakfast is one way
to prepare for the SOL TEST.
On the day of the SOL test:
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Stay away from negative
people. They may decrease
your confidence level.
On the day of the SOL test:
 Reduce your anxiety by taking a
moment to relax.
On the day of the SOL test:
 BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!
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Decide to do your best!
Have the teacher provide you
with:
 a pencil,
 a calculator (for math
and science), and
 blank sheets of paper to use
once the test begins.
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Read the SOL test directions
carefully.
Be considerate of other test
takers.
Be careful not to make any
disturbing noises or motions.
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READ THE ENTIRE QUESTION.
It is very important that you take the
time to read the entire question.
If you don’t, you may miss important
information and misunderstand the
question.
 Do a quick "mind dump“ of
information you don't want to
forget on the blank sheet of
paper.
Please excuse my dear aunt sally.
(order of math operations)
George Washington gets wild.
(gravity, wind, glacier, water: agents of
erosion)
A= l w
V=lwh
My very energetic mom just served
us nine pizzas. (order of planets
from the sun)
Read each SOL test question
CAREFULLY to make sure you
understand what is being asked.
 Answer the easiest questions first.
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This will boost your confidence!
 Highlight italicized or CAPITALIZED
words in the question. They can
change the meaning of a question.
Example:
What is the best answer?
 Take your time! You have the
entire school day to take the test
if necessary.
 Rushing may cause you to make
a silly mistake.
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Don’t get discouraged if a SOL
question is difficult.
Realize that some questions will be
hard, and some will be easy.
Most will be in-between.
Re-read the question or skip it
and come back to it later.
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If you don’t understand the SOL
question, REWRITE THE QUESTION on
the blank sheet of paper in a form
you can understand.
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If you don’t understand the SOL
question, DRAW A PICTURE OR
DIAGRAM to help you understand
the question.
 Don’t panic during the SOL test!
 Keep your positive attitude as you
continue to take the SOL test.
 Tell yourself you WILL do well on the
SOL test. You have the tools to
be successful!
 When a SOL question has a graph,
table, or picture with it, YOU MUST
USE IT to answer the question.
It’s just not there to look pretty!
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Cover up the answers while
reading the SOL test question.
How would you answer the
question?
 Take a break for a few seconds.
 Take a deep breath (don’t forget
to let it out)!
 Change your position. Stretch your
arms, hands and neck.
Make sure that you do this quietly.
Then go back to taking the test.
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Try to decide what the answer to
the SOL question is before you read
all of the choices.
Remember to read all answers
before selecting the BEST one.
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USE THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION.
If you don’t know the answer to a
SOL question, eliminate answers
that you know are incorrect.
This increases your chance of
choosing the right answer.
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Don’t pay attention to anyone
else. Everyone works at his or her
own pace.
Remember that there is no prize for
finishing first.
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Remember that for each SOL
question, you are looking for the
BEST answer.
If you don’t read all of the
answers, you may pick a possible
answer, but not the BEST
answer.
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Some cue words you may see on the
SOL Test:
NOT
EXCEPT
For both of these words, you are to find
the answer that is unlike the others.
Example:
Which of these animals do NOT
belong?
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Some cue words you may see on the
SOL Test:
MOST
BEST
If you see one of these words, you are
to find the answer that is the most
logical or makes the most sense.
Example:
Choose the BEST answer.
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Some cue words you may see on the
SOL Test:
LEAST
When you see this word, you are to find
the answer that is the least logical or
makes the least sense.
Example:
What causes the LEAST harm?
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Try out every answer. By
considering each answer, you can
be more certain that you choose
the BEST answer.
The first answer may sound good,
but another choice may be
a BETTER answer.
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Look within the SOL question for a
clue to the answer.
Look within the test for answers to
other questions.
Example:
Question #37 may help you
answer an earlier question.
 Read all the SOL questions again
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with the answers that you have
chosen.
Make sure you marked the correct
answer.
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Make sure you answer every
question.
Any question that isn’t answered
is counted wrong.
Remember to take as much time
as you need on the SOL test.
After the test
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CELEBRATE !!
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You have successfully completed
your SOL test!
Links to Test Taking Strategies:
Brigham Young University
http://ccc.byu.edu//learning/strategy.php
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Austin Community College
http://library.austincc.edu/help/testtake/
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