booklet
· You must answer in the space that your answer booklet gives you, don’t go outside the space.
· Be aware of your time so that you get to every question
· With each section check to make sure you are putting the answer in the correct space
2. Mutiple Choice Questions
· Read the title
· Read the question for understanding (if you don’t understand the question read the possible answers and then go back and read the question again for understanding)
· Read all possible answers before answering the question.
· When guessing always eliminate to two choices so you have a 50/50 chance. Eliminate two answers that you know are wrong first (for example-eliminate answers that are wordy, have questionable punctuation and capitalization)
· Look for the best answer, there may be other answers that are close to correct, just okay, or correct. You must find the best!
· In math, compute the answer before looking at your options. If none of the options match your answer, recalculate
· Read all the titles, headings, categories… of graphs and diagrams
· Read the think bubbles they provide information to solve problems
· If you see a picture of an envelope use your envelop to help you solve a problem
3. Paragraph Questions (Short answer)
Don’t skip lines!
Read the question for understanding (if you don’t understand the question read the possible answers and then go back and read the question again for understanding)
Don’t do a rough draft because of time, but you can jot down key points on scrap paper to help you organize if you need to
Include the question in your answer as your topic sentence
Include details to support your answer
Include a summary sentence
Write in complete sentences (talk in complete sentences to get ready for the test)
Reread your paragraph to make sure you answered the question and to make changes
Write or print neatly! (no points for paragraphs that can’t be read)
4. Extended Response Questions
Extended Response Planner
It is worth points, you must do it
Don’t need complete sentences/ Can write phrases/words. Think of it as your outline/place to organize thoughts
Can be completed before or after you have written your answer.
· Write or print neatly!
· Do a rough draft by writing on every other line on scrap paper (that way you can edit easily and avoid yet another draft)
· Your final piece should fit in the space given in the Test Booklet
· If you have room, write on every other line (you want to please the evaluator and make it easy to read)
· Reread to make sure you answered the question by “almost reading it aloud” to yourself (move your lips without sound, enunciate each word in your head, read slowly to yourself)
· Include the question in your response
· Include details in each of your paragraphs (you need several detail paragraphs)
· Include a summary sentence
· Think- introduction paragraph, at least three detail paragraphs, a paragraph of conclusion
· Write in complete sentences
· Fill up the space as much as you can (at least ½ of the total space given), but don’t go outside the space
5. Explanations
Explanations are an important part of the NECAP testing:
What is an explanation?
A piece of writing that tells how something works or to explains a phenomenon.
Framework
1. Definition: What is being explained
2. Components/Parts: Listing of parts
3. Operations: Describes how parts and how they work together.
4. Applications: So what? When and where it works and when and where it is applied.****This is the most important part of the explanation!!!
5. Interesting Comments/Special Features/Evaluation: Conclusion
6. Reading Passage Questions
Order for reading
1. Read the title
2. Read the questions for understanding
3. Then read the passage
Go back and reread parts of the passage if you don’t know an answer
Eliminate two of the answers that can’t be correct and choose the BEST answer
(There may be more than one possible answer you must find the BEST)
7. Teacher’s Need To…
Encourage your students to do well on the test. Comments such as, “We can get back to the fun stuff after the test is over,” do not encourage your students.
Writing is a major portion of EVERY test. Be sure your students are writing in all subject areas every day!
Speak in complete sentences throughout the classroom time to reinforce complete sentences. September is Speak in Complete Sentences Month!
Model metacognitive test taking skills to your children (talk through how you think when you complete an item)
