’Teachers will want to run—not walk—to get a copy of this book. Test preparation is an important real-life skill, and this book provides step-by-step guidance to help students learn how to prepare for tests and demonstrate what they know.’
—Linda B. Gambrell, Distinguished Professor of Education
Clemson University
’If you want to help students become test-smart, this is the book for you. Rona Flippo is masterful at making a potentially difficult task—taking tests—easy to teach.’
—Richard T. Vacca, Professor Emeritus
Kent State University
’All teachers and parents should read this book! It is one of the best I′ve read about practical approaches to test taking and studying in the current high-stakes era.’
—Rosalie Fink, Professor of Literacy
Lesley University
Help students master test taking through preparation strategies that lead to academic success!
As the stakes on high-profile student tests such as the SAT continue to rise, student preparedness is becoming increasingly important. As a result, helping students do well on tests and succeed in school has become a top priority for teachers. This indispensable guide responds to this need by providing resources to promote content learning and test-taking abilities in middle and secondary school students.
This practical text provides charts, checklists, Internet resources, and sample exercises for teachers to use with students, plus a final test covering content from each chapter. Using research-based practices, educators will be able to help students develop
- Strategies for dealing with test anxiety
- Effective time management and organizational skills
- Note-taking and study techniques applicable across content areas
- Methods for taking essay and objective tests
Use these proven tools and strategies to help your students develop the skills and confidence that lead to positive academic experiences.
Innehållsförteckning
Foreword by P. David Pearson
Acknowledgments
About the Author
How to Use This Book
Note to the Teacher
Note to the Student
Introduction
Part I. Doing Better in School
1. How to Avoid Test Panic
Preparing Mentally and Physically
Organizing Your Course Content
Chapter Summary
2. How to Develop a Game Plan
Master Test Schedule for the Term
Planning for Each Test
Test Analysis
Study Schedules for Each Test
Planning Test-Study Time
Game Plan Checklist
Chapter Summary
Part II. Preparing for All Tests
3. Strategies for Test-Study
Memorizing
Organizing Resources
Making Study Notes
Condensing Study Notes
Memorization Techniques
Chapter Summary
4. Preparing for Essay Questions and Tests
Predicting Questions
Short-Answer Questions
Long-Answe ’Trace’ Questions
Long-Answer ’Compare and Contrast’ Questions
Long-Answer ’Discuss’ Questions
Practicing Answers
Improving Answers With Library Research
Chapter Summary
5. Preparing for Objective Questions and Tests
Practicing Multiple-Choice Questions
Practicing Matching Questions
Practicing True/False Question
Practicing Completion Questions
Group Study for Objective Tests
Standardized Tests
Chapter Summary
Part III. Taking Tests and Doing Better
6. Getting It Together on Test Day
On the Way
In the Test Room
Before Starting to Answer
Chapter Summary
7. Taking the Essay Test
Budgeting Time
Reading the Question Carefully
Outlining the Answer
Writing Out the Answer
Re-Reading Answers
Making a Final Check
Chapter Summary
8. Taking the Objective Test
Test-Taking Steps
Test Question Cues
Answering Multiple-Choice Questions
Answering Matching Questions
Answering True/False Questions
Answering Completion Questions
When and How to Guess
Chapter Summary
A Final Word
Resources
Appendix A: A Preparing Students Final Test, Answers to Test Prep Exercises, and Answers to Final Test
Appendix B: Forms for Test Preparation and Study
Appendix C: Resources for Additional Test Preparation Assistance
Appendix D: Glossary
References
Index
Om författaren
Dr. Rona Flippo, currently on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association 2012-2015, has taught in public schools and has been a professor of reading and study strategy education at various colleges and universities in the United States, including Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. She is currently Professor of Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston in the College of Education and Human Development. Dr. Flippo has been a consultant for Educational Testing Services (ETS) and the Georgia Department of Education. Additionally, she has served on various Editorial Boards, on the Board of Directors of the College Reading Association (CRA/ALER), on various committees of the International Reading Association (IRA) and most currently on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association (IRA) 2012-2015. She has published 15 other books and over 100 chapters and articles in prestigious professional books and journals; many of these publications have been on study and test-taking research and strategies. Dr. Flippo has worked extensively with elementary, middle school, high school, community college, and university students and their teachers to develop students′ study and test strategies. Thousands of students and teachers have learned how to become ’Prepared’ for tests and for doing better in school under Dr. Flippo′s tutelage.