Test Preparation

Here are some general test-taking strategies to help maximize your score on the test:

1. When you receive the test, briefly close your eyes, breathe in and out slowly, and mentally visualize yourself working through the test successfully.
2. During the test, read and follow all the directions. If you do not understand something in the direction, ask the test administrator for clarification.
3. Work through each test section (reading, mathematics, or writing) at a steady pace. You should plan to spend about 50 minutes on each section of the test. Check your watch periodically to make sure you are not spending too much time on any one section.
4. Try to answer the test questions in each section in order. Skipping around can waste time and might cause mistakes on your answer sheet. However, if a question is taking too much of your time, place a large check mark next to it in the test booklet , mark your best guess in the answer booklet, and move on.
5. Read each question entirely, Skimming to save time can cause you to misread a question or miss important information.
6. Write in the test booklet. Underline or circle key words or phrases, mark on graphs or diagrams, draw figures, and do scratch work in the test booklet. Remember, however, to mark your answer choice in the separate answer booklet. Answers marked only in the test booklet are not scored.
7. Use only the information in the question. Don’t make assumptions or rely on your opinion when answering a question.
8. Be sure you are answering the question asked. Circle or underline what you are being asked, to help you stay focused on it.
9. Read all the answer choices before you select an answer. You might find an answer that immediately strikes you as correct, but this determination might have occurred because you jumped to a false conclusion or made an incorrect assumption.
10. Eliminate as many wrong choices as you can. Examine the answer choices and eliminate those that are off-topic or unreasonable.
11. Change an answer only if you have a good reason to do so. Be sure to completely erase the old answer choice before marking the new one.
12. If you are trying to recall information during the test, close your eyes and try to visualize yourself in your study place. This might trigger your memory.
13. Remain calm during the test. If you start to feel anxious, briefly close your eyes, breathe in and out slowly, and mentally visual yourself in a peaceful place, to help you relax.
14. Record your answers in the answer booklet carefully. Since the test is scored electronically. It is critical that you mark your answer booklet accurately. As you go through the test questions, circle the letters of your answer choices in the test booklet. Then mark those answers in the answer booklet in bunches of 5 to 10.
15. Before turning in your answer booklet, check that you have marked an answer for every test question. You are not penalized for a wrong answer, so even if you have no clue about the answer, make a guess.
16. Before turning in your answer booklet, erase any stray marks in the answer booklet and brush off any loose eraser dust.