STEPS FOR PREPARING FOR STATE TESTING
Step One: Create a Study Plan
Adequate preparation for state testing is critical. Creating a detailed study plan using the tips below will help you stay on track to monitor your progress toward passing.
Know what test you need to take and what information will be covered. Visit the testing overview document and the State Testing Homepage of this cohort site for some preliminary resources. Create and execute a detailed study plan that includes content and general test preparation.
We find it useful to build in and take at least one to two full length, timed practice diagnostic tests into your plan and then adjust your studying by the results of these tests.
Step Two: Gather Additional Study Resources
Take time to ensure you have the right resources for the test areas.
Consider if you will need a tutor
Take time and thoughtfully prepare for the test areas that you may feel less confident. Spend time and attention preparing for these areas of the test. If you need free resources head over to your local library and be sure to take out any study books they may have and be sure to ask if the reference desk about local supports that are offered at their branch or the main library branch. If you are a recent or graduating senior see what tutoring or offerings are provided to students via the campus math or writing lab or the math or English departments. Fellows may find that official or freelance tutoring is available by students of these majors.
Step Three: Connect with your Cohort
Many Fellows find it helpful to connect with members of their cohort via the Google Classroom stream. It’s a good place to seek advice and share best practices. We also know that when studying with peers, we share knowledge, hear about different ways to approach a problem, and generally just learn more than when studying on our own.
Step Four: Get Ready for Test Day
Verify your test location. Test locations sometimes change. Be sure to confirm your location before test day. Drive to the location prior to the test to map out your driving directions and to figure out the best place to park.
Assemble your identification documents and confirm what and what not to bring. Check ID requirements and make sure your documents will be accepted. You will not be admitted to the test without the correct documents and will need to reschedule your test date!
Dress appropriately. Testing room conditions vary. Dress in layers to ensure you are ready for any room temperature.
Expect the unexpected! Some alumni report unexpected events on test day. For example, having to wait an hour for the test to actually start (bring a snack to keep your energy up!) or having the testing rooms change multiple times. Don’t let these last minute changes throw you. Be prepared.
TIPS FOR THE NIGHT BEFORE & THE DAY OF
Don't cram or study all the way up to your test date. Give yourself rest and a quiet evening before. Stop studying within a day or two of the test and shift to preparing for your test day. Eat a snack or small meal before taking the test. (Take a quick moment and go to the bathroom before you check in and/or before you start your test:)
Arrive Relaxed and Prepared
Most testing will be offered at a testing site, get there in plenty of time for your appointment. Be sure you know where to go, what you need to bring, what is allowed/not allowed, the length of time you have to complete your test, and any other specifics to your testing site and selected test.
If scratch paper is provided, take the first few minutes of your assessment time and write some notes – from memory – onto your white board. Memory queues, definitions, and processes are good candidates to be part of your memory transfer, but you should only include those things that have given you trouble or that you think you may forget while taking the assessment. Refer back to these notes during the assessment.
Take your time, but also be mindful of time
There is a time limit to the tests, but you don't need to rush. If you need to pause for a moment, stay at the computer, close your eyes for a few seconds, and relax. If at any point, you begin to feel anxious or worried, stop, take 5-10 deep breaths, and regroup.
You do not want to miss information that is presented to you. Do not assume you know what the question is asking based on the beginning of the question. Read it all the way through and take a good look at any figures that are given. Also read the answer choices; sometimes the answers give you an idea of how to start the solution. After you write information from the question onto your scratch paper or whiteboard, double-check that you have copied from the screen correctly before doing your work.
Take a guess and use process of elimination!
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so if you are not sure, at least guess. If you can eliminate one or two of the answer choices before guessing, it gives you a better chance of selecting the correct answer. Mark the question for review and come back to it after you completed all the other questions. Taking a second look at it may give you a different perspective. However, only change your answer if you are very sure your original answer is not correct.
If you have studied well, you can do this!