Lucky 13

STAR Test-Taking Tips

1. Keep track of time.1. Keep track of time.1. Keep track of time.1. Keep track of time.

�Keep track of

your time. Look

to see how much

time you have to

take the test and

pace yourself.

2. Relax your mind.2. Relax your mind.2. Relax your mind.2. Relax your mind.

� If you’re feeling

nervous before a

test, close your

eyes and take

several slow,

deep breaths.

Spend a few

minutes relaxing

your mind.

3. Scan the test.3. Scan the test.3. Scan the test.3. Scan the test.

�When you begin the

test, quickly scan all

the questions before

starting to read. This

will help you see what

the test is about and

what kind of questions

you will need to

answer.

4. Read the directions.4. Read the directions.4. Read the directions.4. Read the directions.

�Read all the

directions

through carefully.

�Never begin

answering

questions before

you have read the

directions.

5. Read the test questions before 5. Read the test questions before 5. Read the test questions before 5. Read the test questions before

reading the text selection.reading the text selection.reading the text selection.reading the text selection.

�Read the test

questions about

the selections

before you start

reading the

passage.

�Your brain will be

thinking about

the answers as

you read.

6. Read your answer choices.6. Read your answer choices.6. Read your answer choices.6. Read your answer choices.

�Read all the

answer choices

carefully.

�Don’t make a

selection until

you’ve read all

the possible

answers.

7. Skip difficult questions . . . for 7. Skip difficult questions . . . for 7. Skip difficult questions . . . for 7. Skip difficult questions . . . for

now.now.now.now.�Answer all the test

questions. If

you’re stuck on

one, skip it and

come back to it

later, but don’t

forget to return to

bubble in an

answer.

8. Eliminate and make your best 8. Eliminate and make your best 8. Eliminate and make your best 8. Eliminate and make your best

guess.guess.guess.guess.

�All tests have questions

that are meant to stump

you. Don’t leave the

tough ones blank.

Eliminate any choices

that are obviously wrong.

Then look at the leftover

choices and make your

best guess.

9. Mark lightly, then darken.9. Mark lightly, then darken.9. Mark lightly, then darken.9. Mark lightly, then darken.

�Mark your answers

lightly the first time

through, so that if you

need to erase an

answer, you won’t leave

a smudge.

�Be sure to go back

through and fill in the

bubbles carefully with a

dark pencil mark.

10. Recheck answers.10. Recheck answers.10. Recheck answers.10. Recheck answers.

�STOP when you come to the STOP sign at the end of the test or when your time is up. If you still have time, go back and recheck your answers.

�Make sure every response is bubbled and that none of the responses have more than one bubble.

11. Get rest.11. Get rest.11. Get rest.11. Get rest.

�On the nights

before the test

days, make

sure you get a

good night’s

sleep.

12. Eat healthy.12. Eat healthy.12. Eat healthy.12. Eat healthy.

�Each morning of testing

be sure to have a healthy

breakfast, and bring a

good lunch and/or snack

to keep you energized

throughout the day.

�Foods with high protein

are good for your brain!

13.13.13.13.