Test Taking Strategies for High School Students

While some consider reading and preparing for the test as the hardest part, it’s not even as half as tiring and draining as test taking itself. Just like any other task in your life, having a strategy is very important in enabling you to perform better in your high school tests. Here are a few test-taking strategies for high school students that are sure to set them apart and help them ace their tests.

• Listen to and follow all the instructions of the test

Read the test instructions and understand what each means. This is to ensure that you get to answer the right questions, in the manner in which they are required and correctly enough to get an optimal evaluation. If you've not understood any of the instructions, seek clarifications from the instructors in an orderly and quiet manner without violating any rules.

• Abide by the house rules.

Once you are done with the preliminary house rules, read the test carefully and survey the questions. After understanding each section of the test and what each requires, have a mental outline or map of how you plan to answer each question.

• Question time mapping and allocation

Allocate your time to each question accordingly. Demanding questions need more time allocation and less demanding one’s minimal time. This helps you in managing your time well during the test. Start with the ones you have an easy grasp on as this will save you the much-needed time to figure out the difficult questions.

• Keywords and concepts

While skimming through the questions, take note of the keywords and terms. Usually, these will be touching on the key course concepts, upon which the expected answers are supposed to be based. This is a good way to get your mind to remember the relevant course concept and theorems, and easily relate them to the questions.

• Understand optional questions and be precise

For the multiple options questions, skim through them fast but with caution. Time is precious during tests but also understanding the questions and figuring the expected answers is very vital to your success in the exercise. Never waste too much time on the questions you don’t know. Such questions can be revisited later when you have accumulated points from the obvious ones and saved enough time.

• Clarity and precision

Clarity and precision in answering the questions is also key. Write legibly. Sometimes you get marks from the fact that the answer can be read and evaluated, and not necessarily because the answers are correct or accurate. You are also likely to get points from how organized and neat you are. Brief logical outlines with specific relevant examples where required is also a sign of mastery and understanding.

• Points and marks are key

The questions that contain greater points should be given much attention and answered as correctly as possible. Keep them comprehensible and intelligible.

• Recap and review

For all the questions attempted, have enough time left to review each question and ensure they are answered appropriately and as required. This will help in picking up spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or misrepresentation of arithmetic or numerical answers. Flip through all the question pages and ensure all required questions are answered, and those in part are tackled as required.

For more testing taking tips, or to consult with a professional tutor, contact Skies the Limit Tutoring today!