Monday, March 11, 2013

Understanding Wrong Answers

Understanding Wrong Answers

Watch For Qualifying Words


When taking a test, be word-wise!  Read carefully and watch for the qualifying words. Qualifying words are words that are either very general or very specific that can make a statement true or false.  To remember the list of qualifying words, use the acronym FAUN SANG: Frequently, All, Usually, Never and Sometimes, Always, None, Generally.

These qualifying words usually make a statement FALSE because they are very specific.  When you see these words in an answer choice on the test, that is usually not the right answer.

  • Never
  • All
  • None
  • Always
Example: The dog will always bark at strangers.

These qualifying words usually make a statement TRUE because they are more general in nature.  An answer choice with these words in them may be correct.

  • Frequently
  • Usually
  • Sometimes
  • Generally
Example: The dog will sometimes bark at strangers.

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Monday, March 4, 2013

Test-Taking Tips

Tips To Do Well on a Test

  1. Get a good night's rest.
    • Your brain functions better when you are well rested.
    • Do not stay up late studying the night before the test
  2. Don't leave home without breakfast.
    • Your brain also functions better when you've had something to eat
    • Not to mention, a growling stomach can be pretty distracting during the test
  3. Be prepared.  The best way to take a test is to know the facts.
    • Begin studying as soon as the teacher gives you the information
    • Do not wait until 2 days before a test to begin studying; you're only storing the information into your short-term memory this way
    • Study the information based on your learning style
  4. Take a quick look at the whole test before you begin answering questions.
    • Decide which questions are easy, medium, and hard
    • This will help you decide how much time you will need for each section
  5. Read and follow all directions carefully.
  6. Read each question completely before answering.
    • Do not look at the answer choices--PREDICT  your answers then look for the answer that is closest to your prediction
    • Answer questions in the order that you labeled them (easy, medium, then hard)
    • It's ok to skip around
  7. Work at a steady pace - not too fast or too slow.
    • Do not spend a lot of time on any one question
    • Try not to watch the clock constantly but do look up to see how much time you have left after several questions
  8. If you don't know an answer, skip it.  Go back to it later.
    • Before moving on, try to use POE (process of elimination) to eliminate any answer choices that my be incorrect
  9. Be neat.  Neatness counts.
  10. If you finish early, go back and check your work.
    • Checking your work is not just glancing over the test to ensure you answered every question
    • Look at each question and answer choice to be sure you selected the answer you meant to put
  11. Relax and do as well as you can.
    • Stressing will not help you pass the test 
Need test-taking skills or test preparation for the ACT, SAT, CRCT, EOCT, and more?  Contact Accelerated Learning Educational Services to "deliver quality education to your doorstep" through in-home or online test prep. 
Call 855-3-TUTOR-ME or Visit our website