Back to the Books: Test Tactics

They're stressful, they're hard, and most students usually dread them! They're standardized tests. And most students have heard all the old tricks about taking the tests...Like when you're unsure, just pick ‘c'!

Or that you shouldn't try to study.  But are these testing strategies true or false? We checked with testing expert, Anna Kontos.

Anna Kontos, Academic Approach
"A lot of myths that students get in their head aren't very accurate."

So when in doubt should students really pick ‘c'? Anna says ‘no.'

Anna Kontos, Academic Approach
"That is not a proven fact. The best thing to do is be prepared, be able to pick which answer is correct, and if not, eliminate answers because they're incorrect."

Experts say don't pick an answer just because it sounds right.

Anna Kontos, Academic Approach
"If it sounds right to the ear that doesn't necessarily mean its grammatically correct.  You want to base your answer on grammar not on just what sounds right."

One good tip...

Anna Kontos, Academic Approach
"Students who do well on the essay portion are the students who have written about something academic something from their English class or their history class or current events."

And whether it's the MCAS or the SAT...Anna says students should always prepare.

Anna Kontos, Academic Approach
"They feel more confident going into the test just knowing the content covered on the test and knowing the structure of the test...They're going to do better."

Another tip...Some standardized tests, like the SAT, penalize you for guessing wrong. So, find out before you take the test if you should guess on tricky questions.

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