Test-Taking Tips

Test scores are often a result of how well a person takes tests rather than how much he or she knows. Before your child is tested, get samples of the type of test your child will take to get your child familiar with the test and find out how the test will be scored.

Practice answering different types of test questions, providing required information, and filling in answer sheets. If the test is timed, teach your child to pace himself.

Here are an additional 20 Test Taking Tips:

1. Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.

2. Eat a hearty breakfast the morning of the test.

3. Arrive fifteen minutes before the test will begin.

4. Use the restroom before starting the test.

5. Bring an extra sharpened pencil, an eraser and a calculator, if permitted.

6. Take a few deep breaths before beginning the test and any time you feel anxious during the test.

7. Read the test directions carefully.

8. Read the question thoroughly before selecting an answer.

9. Read all of the available answers before making a final choice.

10. If a test question has multiple parts, make sure you answer all parts of the question.

11. If it won’t hurt your score, skip a question you don’t know the answer to and come back to it at the end. Make sure to skip the corresponding bubble on your answer sheet.

12. If you don’t know the answer to a question and there is no penalty for guessing, choose the answer you think is best.

13. Stick with your first answer unless you are sure it is inaccurate. Usually your first choice is correct.

14. If “all of the above” is a choice, and you know one of the statements is untrue, do not select “all of the above”. If “none of the above” is a choice, and you know one of the statements is true, do not select “none of the above”.

15. If “all of the above” is a choice, and you are sure that more than one answer is true, select “all of the above”.

16. Be on the lookout for words like, “always” and “never”. On a true/false test, these words usually indicate an answer of false.

17. Be on the look out for words like, “usually” and “sometimes”. On a true/false test, these words usually indicate an answer of true.

18. On a true/false test, if part of the statement is false, the entire statement is false.

19. Don’t be distracted by what other test takers are doing, or whether or not they’ve finished their test while you are still working.

20. Once you have completed the test, review your answers and make sure you’ve filled in your answer sheet correctly.

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