Terrific Test-Taking Tips for Students

Here's some easy tips for students to remember when taking tests. These tips are for the purpose of building confidence in test-taking techniques and should be applied in general tests for school-age children through 12^thgrade. This article does not apply to timed tests or intelligence tests of any kind. We're not talking about state bar exams, SAT's or medical exams here, folks. After years of raising kids, teaching and tutoring kids and working in the classrooms with teachers, this is what I have learned and I'm happy to share it with you.

Be well rested the night before. Eat a healthy breakfast. Have a glass of juice, some cereal, eggs; toast or even just a granola or health bar is better then nothing. Just don't take a test on an empty stomach. Your brain needs fuel to function well. And you want to function well don't you?

Arrive early because you don't want to rush in and be unsettled or out of breath when the test starts. Arrive early, calm down, look around the room, and gather your supplies, your thoughts and your confidence!

Be ready with extra pencils, erasers, pens, calculator (if needed) and any reference books, such as a dictionary if allowed.

Start off by answering the easiest questions first. Answer the ones you are very sure about. Get those off your mind so you can concentrate on other parts of the test. Answering questions correctly will help you feel more confident and self-assured as you continue along.

If you get stuck on a question,just move on. Keeping your mind working in a positive way may help you answer that question later. Don't allow yourself to become bogged down on one question. That will eventually discourage you and block your mental process. You can always go back to the sticky ones but be sure you don't forget about those unanswered questions!

When reading a somewhat long story problem, try reading the last paragraph first! Then start at the top again and read the entire story. Often on tests, questions are asked that involve the last half of the story. So this way, you will have read the last half twice, and it sticks in your mind more easily.