CRCT Test Taking Tips and Strategies
Get a good night’s sleep before each testing day.
It’s hard to concentrate on the questions if all you feel like doing is putting your head down and going to sleep. So, that means no late practices or games, no late night T.V., cell phone calls or internet chatting. Your friends will understand since they have to take the same test as you.
Eat a light, nutritious breakfast each morning before testing.
Food is the fuel that powers every part of your body, including your brain. So having breakfast can keep your brain alert and improve your test scores. However, don’t eat a huge breakfast – this can have the opposite effect and cause you to be sleepy. Excess sugar, caffeine and chocolate milk should also be avoided. Although sugar or caffeine will give you ‘quick energy’ they also wear off ‘very quickly’ and can leave you feeling tired by the time you get to testing.
Fruits, carbohydrates such as breads and non-sugary cereals, and proteins such as eggs work best to give you testing energy.
Be sure to ‘read directions completely for each section of the test’.
For instance, suppose the directions for a particular section state that ‘this is a test on capitalization’ but you skip reading that part. You skip down to the instructions that state ‘You are to look for mistakes in these sentences’ and you start looking for mistakes in ‘punctuation’ instead of ‘capitalization’. The result could be wasted time looking for mistakes that don’t exist and therefore a poor test score. So make sure you know what you are being asked to do by reading the directions carefully and completely. Underlining ‘key words’, reading directions ‘twice’ and restating directions can help.
Whenever you are taking a particular section of a test, make sure to
‘budget your time’.
For instance, suppose a particular test section has forty questions and you have only twenty minutes to take it. This means you have approximately thirty seconds to answer each question. Although some questions may take less time and some may take more, when half the testing time is gone you should be about half way through the questions. By staying aware of the time and the number of questions left you stand the best chance of completing the test and receiving a better score.
You can usually answer more questions and therefore have a better score if you ‘complete the easier questions first’.
Most CRCT scores are based on the total number of correct answers whether they are easy or hard for you. Therefore, if you complete all the easier ones first and then tackle the harder questions, you will most likely get a better score. Just remember to note the questions you skipped, budget your time and go back to answer as many of the harder questions as you can during the allotted testing time.
TIPS DURING THE TEST
· Relax by taking slow, deep breaths.
· Make sure you understand the directions. If you are not sure, ask the teacher for clarification.
· Read each question carefully.
· When you use scratch paper, make sure that you copy the problem correctly from the test onto your paper.
· You can underline and make marks on your test to help you while you work, but the only answers that will be scored are those in the correct place on your answer sheet.
· Try to come up with your own answer before seeing the choices. This will help in choosing the best answer choice available.
· Eliminate answer choices that you know cannot be right.
· Leave a question blank if you are unsure of the answer, then return to it at the end.
· Manage your time. Don't let the pace of others make you nervous. However, don't spend too much time on one question.
· Be sure to answer all of the questions.
· Review your answers when you have finished the test.
· Try to stay calm during the test. Remember, this is a chance for you to show what you know.