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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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

'Twas The Night Before Finals

‘Twas The Night Before Finals

By: Aquarius Cain

Accelerated Learning Educational Services

‘Twas the night before finals and all through the house,

College students on the computer click, click, clicking the mouse;

Suitcases were packed at the dorms by the door,

In hopes that tomorrow they would suffer no more;

The students were nestled at their cozy little desks,

With notes, books, and papers, it looked such a mess;

Mamma sent a care package with things to make me think,

But I don’t want that stuff, I need a 5-hour energy drink;

When out on the yard I heard a loud cheer,

It’s all of my friends partying with beer;

I flew away from the window and went back to my desk,

I can’t party with them, I’ve got to study for this test!

I’ll pull an all-nighter although my professor doesn’t suggest, 

On the night before an exam you need a good night’s rest;

Looking at the study guide with no clue where to begin,

I need a life line, it’s time to “phone a friend!”

I called 855-3-TUTOR-ME from my phone,

In no time at all, the Accelerated Learning tutor was at my home;

We discussed my strengths and weaknesses and came up with a plan,

“Think positive,” the tutor said, “say, I think I can, I think I can!”

Now, study guides! Now, text books! Now, workbooks and notes!

On, sticky notes! on flashcards! on graphic organizers, we wrote!

Eat breakfast and drink little, these tips I did take,

I would only get to go to the bathroom during the test break;

In the morn, I grabbed 2 pencils, a calculator, and jacket too,

I raced out the door and headed to school;

I grabbed my scantron and test and took a seat, 

I remembered what my tutor taught me, “do not accept defeat.”

I controlled my nervousness by saying, “You’re going to do fine,”

I moved from question to question without wasting time;

I read the questions first, then after, the passage I did read,

She said pick a letter of the day to guess when I don’t know—it’s “D.”

I did the easy questions first and skipped all around,

Man, it’s so quiet in here, you can’t hear a sound;

Now it’s time to go back to the difficult questions and make an educated guess,

Using process of elimination I can find the choice that is best;

I used context clues for words I didn’t understand,

I’m going to pass this test, yes I can!

With lots of confidence I went back to double check my answers,

As I finished up the test I heard a little whisper;

You’re going to do great so please don’t you stress,

Happy testing to all from A-L-E-S!

 What's going through your mind the night before finals? Share your funny thoughts, moments, or experiences with us.

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About the author:

Aquarius Cain is the CEO of Accelerated Learning Educational Services. She is a full-time tutor with more than ten years of combined teaching and tutoring experience.  As an educator, Mrs. Cain is a lover of learning and any opportunity she gets to spread knowledge, she does, in her own unique way!

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