Test Taking Strategies For PARCC

Whether you are a student, a parent, or a teacher, test taking strategies are an important part of any standardized testing program. These strategies will help you prepare for the PARCC test and give you a better chance of doing well on your exam.

Take a Practice Test Before the Real One

Many standardized tests offer free or low cost practice tests online. The PARCC practice test is a great way to assess your progress and determine which areas you need to work on. They should not replace official test prep materials, but they can be a helpful tool when you are ready to take the actual test.

Taking a practice test before the real one is a wise strategy for improving your performance and reducing your anxiety during the actual test. A practice test can help you become familiar with the structure and format of the exam, allowing you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. By taking the test in a simulated environment, you can also practice time management and develop effective test-taking strategies. Additionally, a practice test can help you build confidence and reduce your anxiety, as you will have a better idea of what to expect on the day of the actual exam. Overall, taking a practice test can be an effective tool for preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for the real test, and can ultimately lead to better results.

Use an Accessible Version of the Test

In addition to providing large print and TTS versions of all of its tests, PARCC also offers accommodated screen readers and ASL or Braille options for students who are visually impaired or have other special needs. Check out the full accessibility manual for more details or try a practice test using the accessible version of the test to familiarize yourself with how it works.

Create a Test Prep Playbook

Another way to make your student feel more prepared for their next test is by creating a test prep playbook with strategies they can follow in the event of test-related stressors. This will help them focus on the important aspects of the test and lessen their stress about the exam.

Keep a Journal of Your Tests

Keeping track of how you do on various exams is helpful in helping you to identify problem areas and improve your performance. You can create a list of the types of questions you get and then use this information to find resources and study guides that can help you improve your test-taking skills.

Have Your Child Sleep A Few Nights Before the Test

It is recommended to get plenty of sleep before a big test, especially when you are taking one that requires a lot of attention. Getting enough rest will ensure that your body can perform at its best on the day of the exam. Having a filling breakfast the morning of the test can also boost your energy levels and help you relax before beginning the test.

Have Your Students Prepare a Highlighter Color Key

If your students are struggling with vocabulary, having them create their own highlighter color key is an effective way to get them on the right track. This way, they can easily see what words they need to review in order to perform at their highest level on the test.

Then, when they are reading passages, they can use their highlighted color key to quickly scan the text to find the definition of any word that doesn’t appear in their dictionary. This helps students remember vocabulary as they read and improves their reading comprehension skills.

Consider using a site like Quizlet (iOS/Android/Web) or Scholastic’s Standardized Test Prep Lesson Plans to help your students learn vocabulary that is common on standardized tests. These sites are also a fun and interactive way to reinforce learning!