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Test Prep for Middle School Students
Help students succeed on high-stakes test with this three-pronged approach.
The Role of Middle School Educators
Teachers of middle level students play an important part in training students for high-stakes tests. Students who are well versed in test content, familiar with the format of the assessment, and knowledgeable about test-taking strategies are more likely to do well in the testing environment.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Tests that measure proficiency levels are generally aligned with national and/or local content learning standards. In recent years, these standards have more rigorously emphasized higher-level thinking skills.
Teachers of middle level students play an important part in training students for high-stakes tests. Students who are well versed in test content, familiar with the format of the assessment, and knowledgeable about test-taking strategies are more likely to do well in the testing environment.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Tests that measure proficiency levels are generally aligned with national and/or local content learning standards. In recent years, these standards have more rigorously emphasized higher-level thinking skills.
- Teach middle school students the meaning of process verbs.
- Analyze–to critically examine or compare the parts of something
- Infer–to draw a conclusion based on information provided
- Synthesize–to combine parts to make a new whole
- Evaluate–to make a judgment based on evidence
- Predict–to explain what will happen in the future based on past events
Have students practice using these words by asking them to categorize test questions. Teach students to think about their own cognitive thought processes and emphasize reasoning skills.
Assessment Formats
Providing students with multiple opportunities to practice standardized test formats will prepare them for future assessments. Students who feel comfortable with the test format will be less likely to suffer from test anxiety. Practice is the best way to ensure success with regard to standardized testing.
Providing students with multiple opportunities to practice standardized test formats will prepare them for future assessments. Students who feel comfortable with the test format will be less likely to suffer from test anxiety. Practice is the best way to ensure success with regard to standardized testing.
- Test Practice Ideas for the Middle School Classroom:
- Create teacher-made tests using standardized test formats.
- Use daily warm-ups that follow the test question designs.
- Take advantage of free practice materials that are already published.
- Give practice tests regularly and analyze the results with your students.
- Replicate the testing environment as closely as possible.
Test-Taking Strategies
Educators can help students become successful test-takers by including test-taking tips as part of the curriculum.
Educators can help students become successful test-takers by including test-taking tips as part of the curriculum.
· Talk about tests with students - Be open and positive as you encourage students to take tests seriously. By discussing tests and teaching skills, you'll instill confidence in your students.
· Teach students specific test-taking strategies-Help students understand that their performance on the test will be at least partly influenced by their test-taking skill. Teacher students to do the following:
- Read test directions carefully and thoroughly. If the test includes multiple sections, be sure to read each set of directions.
- Read each question carefully to determine its meaning. Make sure you know what the question is asking before you begin to answer.
- Anticipate the answer before looking at the choices. If your answer is one of the choices, it is probably correct.
- Be sure to read through all the answer choices before marking one as correct.
- Look for synonyms in the answer choices that match words or phrases in the question. Most likely, the correct answer will include similar words.
- Use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- Analyze the meaning of unknown words by dividing them into prefix, root, and suffix and trying to define each part.
- Eliminate answers that don't make sense. Try to narrow the choices down to two when you are unsure of the correct answer.
- Circle questions you don't know and go back later. Sometimes a clue will be found in another test question.
- Guess intelligently by looking for opposite answers, one of which can be eliminated.
- When reading passages are involved, read the questions first to determine what you are looking for as you read the selection.
- For math problems, use scratch paper and double check to make sure you've copied the problem correctly. Line up place values neatly to avoid careless mistakes.
- Pace yourself to leave time for review at the end of the test. Don't spend too much time on difficult questions. Go back to questions you skipped after you've finished.
- Try to answer every question on the test. Change answers only when you were very unsure of your original choice.
Encourage students to get plenty of rest the night before testing and eat a nutritious breakfast. Remind them that they have been well-prepared and that confident students make the best test-takers!
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