Test Taking Tips Workshop Nile H. Faulkner Lifelong Learning Coach District of Columbia Public Library Nie H. Faulkner Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL.Welcome %« Orientation ite: Water - Bathrooms — Library cards Name Badges - Sign-in Sheet Length of Presentation - 3 hours ~ Break - 15 minutes @ mid-point Test Taking Tips - Topic Overview Distribute and Review Materials t 1 Nile H. Faulkner Lifelong Leaning Coach DCPLStrategies General Tips 4G 4. Good Night's Sleep — Good Breakfast 2. Remember picture ID, pen, several #2 sharpened pencils, & your own watch 3. Bottle of drinking water 4. Arrive early 5, Use restrooms before test begins & Nile H. Faulkner 3 Lifelong Learning Coach DCPLGeneral Tips (Cont. 6. Use on-line or practice test versions to become familiar with the test. 7. Listen to and read all test directions carefully. 8, Plan to manage your time during the exam. 9, Do not be disturbed when others finish before you. 10. Bubble-in answers care- fully on answer sheet. 11. If you make a mistake, erase it thoroughly. Nile H. Faulkner 4 Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL.: Multiple Choice Tests Tips % The GED test is in multiple choice format, with only two exceptions (Essay & several Math questions). %& Multiple choice questions require you to choose from several possible answers. coc Nile H. Faulkner 5 Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL"3 LTIPLE CHOICE TEST TIPS (Cont.) %& Read the questions before you read the paragraph. %& Answer the question yourself before reading possible answer choices. %& Study graphs before answering questions. %& Look for answers to the questions in the reading. & Do not choose an answer with overly technical language. & Choose “all of the above” only if every other choice is correct. Choose “none of the above” only if every other choice is wrong. Nile H. Faulkner 6 Lifelong Learning Coach DCPLs ultiple Choice Test Tips %& Consider the longest answer choice as (possibly) the correct answer. % Apply the “true/false” method to choose between two answers that both seem right. % Don’t spend too much time on a difficult question. _ & An answer choice that includes an extreme word (all, always, none, never) should not be chosen. %& ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS! If you don’t know the answer - make your BEST GUESS! Nile H. Faulkner Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL: 4 Word Important Enough to Use Context Clues ? If you cannot understand the Main Idea without understanding a word. 2 If the word is in the title. 2% If the word is the subject or main verb of a sentence. % If the word is repeated several times. % If you do not feel comfortable without knowing a word. Nile H. Faulkner 8 Lifelong Learning Coach CPL.What Are Context Clues ? Other words contained in the sentence or paragraph to help you guess the meaning of a word. %& Some sentences contain a word or phrase which directly explains the unknown word. They may be set off by --, or commas, or by (parentheses). % Your personal experience with the topic can help you make an accurate guess. Nile H. Faulkner 9 Lifelona Leamina Coach DCPLEssay Writing It is important to plan ahead. 2 Mind-mapping is one “plan ahead” technique: — Write your topic question in pencil in the middle of a scratch sheet of paper. Circle it. — Write all the facts in a cluster around the main topic. Group all related items. — Develop topics for at least 3 paragraphs. — Decide which topics and in what order to present them in the essay. Nile H. Faulkner 10 Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL.Essay Writing + Introductory Paragraph: — In “rough draft” form, use the essay question as part of your introductory paragraph. Add the main idea and essay topic together. & Think in Threes: ~ Write at least three rough paragraphs. — Write three sentences per paragraph. — Include three examples per main point. % Concluding Paragraph: = Summarize the contents of your essay. Nile H. Faulkner Tn Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL.r Essay Writing de Edit your “rough draft”: — Examine your word selection:check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. — Show enthusiasm in your answer. — When expressing your opinion, evaluate the topic. Ask and answer who, what, when, where, why and how. Describe in detail and show both the advantages and disadvantages. %& Finished Form: — Use a pen. Rewrite your edited “rough draft” into your GED answer booklet. Nile H, Faulkner 12 Lifelong Learning Coach DCPL.i 15 Minutes %& Bathrooms & Water & Smoking Area Nile H. Faulkner 18 Lifelong Learning Coach DCPL.% Concentrate on results, not on being busy. 2 Organize your study time: — Create a “to-do” list of study subjects/daily study sections. — Try to stick to a regular daily study schedule. — Revise your list daily. z & Prioritize: — Concentrate on the right things. f — Do not exceed the allotted time per question. Nilo H. Faulkner 14 Lifelong Leaming Coach CPL.Time Management x Plan to solve a problem: — Read all directions. — Read all questions first. — Then read the topic selection.Use mind-mapping or other outlining techniques. & Answer all questions even if you must guess at a few. Nile H, Faulkner 16 Lifelona Leamina Coach DCPLsolve 50 problems. This gives you less than 2 minutes to read and work the problem. % Practice reading through some math problems and keep track of your time. Work to increase your speed. %& Get whole number problems out of the way first as they are usually easier to do than decimals, fractions, percents, algebra and geometry. Nile H, Faulkner 16 Lifelong Learning Coach DCPL.Math Tests © & Many of the GED math questions are about everyday life. Picture yourself in the problem. %& Think: It may take some time to remember a formula or process. %& Forget all other choices: Grid to the left. %& If you are a careful reader and are still confused after reading a problem, you may have been tricked. Nile H. Faulkner 7 Lifelong Learning Coach DCPL.Math Tests ¥e Know what you don’t know: locate the page of formulas in the test booklet. % Do not use the calculator unless you need to: it may slow you down. % If you do not know an answer, “3” is a good guess. Nile H. Faulkner 18 Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL6 Stress... s€ by, af %& A physical and emotional reaction to frightening, irritating, confusing, dangerous or exciting events. 4: It stimulates and increases alertness. %: Life without it would be dull and boring. %& Life with too much becomes unpleasant and tiring. % Too much can seriously interfere with effective performance. Nile H. Faulkner 19 Lifelong Learning Coach DGPL: Stress Management Prepare for stress: — Take several GED practice tests. — Put the test in perspective. — Visualize yourself being successful. Nile H. Faulkner Lifelong Leaming Coach DCPL: Emotional Stress Release Points % ESR Points balance the mind and body’ reaction to stress: — Lightly place the palm of your hand on your forehead. ~ Close your eyes and think about the “stressor”. — Use this method anytime you need to “find” something like: an answer, your keys, or peace of mind. Nile H. Faulkner a Lifelona Learina Coach DOPL.Topic Review — 2 What do you know now about: * The GED Test * Tips to help you pass + Programs to help you prepare + Internet access sites + Adult diploma alternatives * Stress release techniques Nile H. Faulkner 2 Lifelong Learning Coach OCPL.ee ~ E Thank You & Good Luck ! We appreciate your participation. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the DCPL <@ Literacy Resources Division at: (202) 727-1616 Nile H. Faulkner 2B Lifelong Learning Coach DCPL.