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Taking a test is more than just showing what you know; it’s a skill that can be cultivated in the classroom alongside academic subjects. Ideally, standardized tests and end-of-term exams would accurately reflect students’ learning. However, as teachers are well aware, factors such as test anxiety, inadequate preparation, and unfamiliarity with test formats can skew results, masking a student’s true capabilities and hindering their success.
Students can employ these strategic approaches both before and during tests to enhance their performance on multiple-choice exams, essay assessments, and other forms of evaluation they might encounter.
1. Master Test-Taking Terms in Vocabulary Lessons
Terms like “analyze” and “illustrate” may seem intuitive to educators and proficient students, but they can be foreign to those who struggle with test-taking. Prioritize these academic terms as much as you would the vocabulary pertinent to your subject matter.
- Analyze
- Compare
- Contrast
- Describe
- Elaborate
- Explain
- Illustrate
- Evaluate
- Relate
- Summarize
Integrate these terms and their definitions into your daily instruction. Use them regularly, create engaging games to explore their meanings, or incorporate them into warm-up activities or exit tickets. This approach is particularly beneficial for English language learners or students who are hesitant to engage with complex writing tasks.
High School Academic Testing Vocabulary STAAR Word of the Day ELA Small Groups
By Custom Classroom by Angela
Subjects: ELA Test Prep, Vocabulary
This collection features 190 research-based ELA vocabulary cards designed for busy Texas teachers, encompassing key vocabulary and question stems students will encounter on their STAAR Reading test.
2. Study Important Subject Matter Concepts in Creative Ways
While it may seem straightforward, studying key concepts that are likely to appear on tests can significantly boost students’ confidence. Whether it involves essential mathematical formulas, grammar rules, scientific facts, or historical dates, reinforcing foundational knowledge can help fill gaps in understanding.
Study guides need not be dull. Engage students through review games or collaborative activities where they create their own “cheat sheets” (even if they can’t use them during the exam). Encourage them to write songs to remember the material, craft humorous mnemonics, or perform skits that solidify their learning long before the test day arrives.
Capture the Flag – Review Game for Any Subject or Content!
By 208 LitChicks
Subjects: ELA, All Subjects
This interactive review game encourages students to move and engage while interacting with their content. It includes a comprehensive slideshow detailing game setup, rules, and winning terms, along with a game board and printable flags/game pieces.
3. Take Practice Tests in the Same Style as the Real Test
Incorporating practice tests into your teaching is an effective strategy for high school students. These tests familiarize students with the format of the upcoming assessment, allowing them to “practice as they play.” Additionally, they highlight gaps in understanding and common mistakes, aiding teachers in addressing these issues before the actual test.
Moreover, practice tests can positively influence students’ self-perception. Research indicates that test anxiety can significantly impact self-esteem and self-efficacy, but performing well on practice tests can boost confidence and reduce anxiety for the actual exam.
Teachers can create practice tests that mimic the format of upcoming assessments (like multiple-choice or short answer questions) or utilize resources like College Board for full-length practice tests. Ensure these tests cater to various learning styles, providing equitable access to all students.
4. Prepare Your Body and Mind Beforehand
Sometimes, a poor test score can simply reflect a lack of preparation, such as skipping breakfast or a restless night’s sleep. Emphasize the importance of physical well-being; when students take care of their health leading up to test day, they are more likely to feel alert and ready to demonstrate their knowledge, rather than succumbing to fatigue during the exam.
Encourage students to maintain a health journal in the weeks prior to significant tests, tracking their sleep patterns, dietary choices, and exercise routines. Develop a list of nutritious breakfast options low in sugar, and, if possible, offer some of these options to students on test day. These healthy habits serve not only as effective test-taking strategies but also as invaluable life skills for high schoolers.
Test Anxiety Lesson Plan & PowerPoint for Teens in Middle & High School
By School Counseling Essentials
This easy-to-implement lesson plan helps students understand test anxiety, its symptoms, causes, and effective strategies to manage anxiety before and during tests.
5. Skim the Questions Before Reading a Passage
By the time students finish lengthy reading passages, they often need a break, not additional questions. Teach them to read the questions prior to engaging with the reading material, so they know what to focus on and can avoid fatigue that impairs comprehension.
Reinforce this technique by providing students with a set of questions before distributing the reading material. Model how to make inferences based on the questions alone, or have students collaborate to predict what the reading might entail. Create a checklist of concepts to monitor during the reading, such as crucial vocabulary or literary elements to consider, and then distribute the reading to assess their comprehension.
High School Reading Comprehension Passages & Questions Test Prep Paired Texts
By Kristin Menke – Integrated ELA Test Prep
Subjects: ELA Test Prep, Informational Text
Standards: CCSS RL.9-10.1, 10.2, 10.3
This comprehensive Reading Test Prep Lesson BUNDLE aids students in preparing for state standardized reading comprehension tests, focusing on five different standards. It includes five days of straightforward activities and test prep questions aligned with the CCSS, featuring a set of paired passages and detailed lesson plans.
6. Answer the Easier Questions First
Stumbling on a difficult question can halt a student’s momentum, causing them to run out of time for the remaining questions. Encourage students to tackle the easier questions first and skip those that pose a challenge.
Before implementing this strategy, students must recognize what constitutes a “hard” question. Encourage reflection on previous assessments to identify which concepts or question types tend to be difficult. For instance, if geometry problems are tricky for math students, advise them to prioritize arithmetic and algebra instead, ensuring they leave time to revisit the skipped questions.
Test Taking Tips and Strategies
By Making Meaning with Melissa
This Google Slides presentation offers valuable tips and strategies aimed at helping students excel on standardized tests. Included is a paperless notetaker for students to use digitally or print for handwritten notes.
7. Brainstorm Before Writing an Essay
While many test-taking strategies focus on multiple-choice questions, students also face essay prompts. Writing essays can be daunting, especially for students who feel pressured to produce a polished draft immediately. This challenge affects both proficient and struggling writers.
Demonstrate the brainstorming process when presenting students with a writing prompt, showing them how to dissect the prompt to understand its requirements. Remind them that they can outline their essay before diving into the writing, either on paper or in a designated digital space, allowing them to organize their thoughts while still allocating sufficient time for the actual writing.
Argumentative Essay Writing Prompts – Text Based Topics Ready Test Prep Rubric
By SNAPPY DEN Academy
Subjects: ELA
Standards: CCSS CCRA.W.1
This extensive resource equips educators with engaging activities, structured frameworks, and rubrics to guide students in crafting persuasive, evidence-based essays. With 15 text-based prompts, organized outlines, and CCSS-aligned rubrics, you’ll have all the tools necessary to foster confident student writers.
Test Skills and Knowledge, Not Patience and Stress
The most effective test-taking strategies for high school students aim to alleviate test anxiety and empower students to confidently showcase their knowledge. Consider introducing one or more of these techniques in your classroom and observe which resonate with your students. Additionally, explore further high school test-taking strategy resources to address specific student needs or to approach test day from a fresh perspective.
