End-of-Grade Exams: FAQ

EOG Preparation Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
  1. When are the End-of-Grade exams?
  2. What math information does my child need to know?
  3. What are some test taking tips?
  4. Where can I find sample tests?
  5. What can I do as a parent or guardian?
  6. What is T-I-Q-P-N-check?
  7. What can we do the week of EOGs?
  8. Where can I get more information about the North Carolina EOGs?



When are the End-of-Grade exams?

Grades 3-5 are scheduled to take the reading and math EOGs on May 12, 13, 
and 14.  There will be one day of reading assessment, one day of math 
assessment with calculators, and one day of math assessment without 
calculators.  All tests begin right away in the morning.
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What math information does my child need to know?

MATH REVIEW INFORMATION � These are all things that we have worked on all 
year � nothing new, all review! Oftentimes, however, we need a review.    
EOG or not, this is important review for all 3rd graders!

�	WORD PROBLEMS � 
	ALWAYS SHOW YOUR WORK
	CIRCLE KEY WORDS, THEN look back at what you circled!
	PULL THE INFORMATION OUT OF THE PARAGRAPH � write it on your scratch 
paper
	DRAW A PICTURE
	DOES MY ANSWER MAKE SENSE?
	DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ADDITION/SUBTRACTION/MULT/.DIV
	KEY WORDS:  See attached key words page
	LIGHTLY CROSS out items as you count them, don�t rely on pencil tips 
or finger tips!

�	Odd numbers END IN 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
�	Even numbers END IN 2, 4, 6, 8, 0
�	Rounding:  ROUND FIRST, THEN solve the problem.   (A common mistake 
is to add or subtract, then round the answer.)
�	Value �VS- Place Value � The value is how much the digit is worth; 
the place value is the value of the PLACE it is in.  Example:  245, the 
value 
of the underlined digit is 40, the place value is tens
�	Patterns � write down the rule, can�t emphasize enough � write/draw 
out the rest of the pattern!
�	Money � need to be able to count money AND figure change
�	Time � need to be able to read both kinds of clocks AND calculate 
elapsed time (how much time passed from 8:15 am to 4:45 pm?)  Show your work.
�	Expanded form � Stack your numbers to check   	       
                        4 0 0, 0 0 0
                           2 0,0 0 0
		      +	       5 0 0      
			         7 0
		         __________8___			
�	Standard Form --------------------------------------------  
=                       4 2 0, 5 7 8 
�	Word form = four hundred twenty thousand, five hundred seventy eight 
(no �and�)   
�	Multiplication and division
�	Subtraction with and without regrouping.  I can�t say this enough � 
1) always stack it, do not subtract side by side 2)  Check your subtraction 
by adding � every time!  
        343                    222
-	121                   +121
        222	               343
�	Graphs, charts, tables � CAN�T FOOL ME, I�M LOOKING AT THE KEY!  
	Write the totals right on the chart or graph  (if the bar on the 
        graph goes to up to 64, then write �64� on the graph)  Pay very 
close 
        attention to what the question is asking.
�	Algebra/unknown numbers � �Plug it in� � plug in the number that you 
        think represents the missing number � see if the equation makes      
sense.  Also, whenever you have an equal sign with equations on one or both 
sides: SOLVE WHAT YOU KNOW.  (Really solve it, write is down).  Then plug in 
unknown 
numbers until it balances on both sides.
�	Probability � If they are asking for COMBINATIONS, then you must 
make 
a TREE MAP
       If they are asking for ORDER, then you must make a TABLE

MEASUREMENT 

�	Ask your child to �slam down� everything s/he knows about 
measurement; see how much of the following s/he is able to put on paper.
�	MUST be able to draw the temperature hand BY MEMORY
After drawing the hand, look at the hand and find the temperature in 
question 

�	MUST be able to draw a gallon kingdom BY MEMORY
After drawing the kingdom, look at it to find the measurement in question

�	MEMORIZE YOUR MEASUREMENTS:
	CAPACITY:  (How much something holds)
	Customary: See gallon kingdom
	Metric:  Liter � � a large soda bottle
        Milliliter � a small puddle in your hand (1000 milliliters in a 
liter)
	LENGTH:  (How long something is)
�	Metric:  Centimeter -  width of your pinkie (100 centimeters in a 
                 meter)
		 Decimeter � width of palm of hand (10 decimeters in a meter)
                 Meter � about the size of baseball bat
                 Kilometer � how far you can walk in 10 minutes (1000 meters)
-      Customary:  Inch � length of knuckle to knuckle
		   Foot � length of your paper  (12 inches)
		   Yard � About the size of a baseball bat (3 feet, 36 
inches)
	           Mile � How far you can walk in 20 minutes (5,280 
feet)            
	WEIGHT:   (How heavy something is)
�	Customary:  Pound � weight of loaf of bread
                    Ounce � weight of piece of bread
	MASS:  (How heavy something is)
�	Metric:  Gram � weight of a paper clip
                 Kilogram � weight of a textbook/dictionary (1000 grams)  
	TIME:  
�	60 minutes in an hour
�	24 hours in a day
�	7 days in a week
�	About 4 weeks in a month
�	52 weeks in a year
�	365 days in a year
�	About 30 days in a month
�	A half hour has 30 minutes
�	A quarter hour has 15 minutes (quarter to is 15 min. before hour, 
        quarter after is 15 minutes after the hour)
�	Long hand = minutes (it�s a long word)
�	Short hand = hour (it�s a short word)
Use your pencil to mark on calendars and clocks.

�	When converting measurements (example � kilograms to grams, inches 
to 
        yards) you have to make a T table.

�	Word origins will help you:
	Kilo = thousand
	Cent = 100
	Dec = 10 
	Oct = 8
	Hex = 6
	Pent = 5
	Quad = 4
	Tri = 3
�	FRACTIONS:  Will need to know how to compare fractions and make 
equivalent fractions � cross check.  Will need to know how to add and 
subtract fractions (�like, like, like,�)
Will need to recognize and name fractions, improper fractions, and mixed 
numbers in a diagram.  First rule of fractions � parts must be equal.

�	GEOMETRY:  
	EVERY time you are asked about the size of an angle � put the corner 
of your paper into that angle.  If it matches perfectly = right angle.  If 
the angle is smaller than your paper = cute little acute angle.  If the 
angle 
is bigger than the paper corner = big tuba obtuse.
	Need to know parallel lines, intersecting, perpendicular, not 
perpendicular
	Remember word origins for # of sides and angles
	Congruent figures are the same shape AND same size.  
Similar figures are the same shape, but can be different sizes
	Plane figures are flat, solid figures are 3-D
Will need to identify number of sides, edges and vertices in a solid figure
	PERIMETER � how far around the outside � ADD up all the sides (we 
write the word �perimeter� like a little fence around the figure.) LENGTH 
UNITS
	AREA � how much inside � LENGTH x WIDTH (we write the word �area� in 
big letters that fill the inside of the figure, think carpet) SQUARE UNITS
	VOLUME � for solid figures � L x W x H.  (We turn up the �volume� of 
the CD player so it fills the whole room) CUBIC UNITS 
	Slide = slide the figure, flip = flip the figure (like flipping the 
page of a book),
turn = put the tip of your  pencil on the corner and spin the figure
	SYMMETRY � Trace the figure, fold it.  The folded sides have to 
match 
exactly.  Each fold = a line of symmetry
	SEE tree map for identifying plane figures and triangles

�	Points on a Grid  � Remember how an airplane takes off � it goes 
across the runway, then up. 
An ordered pair like this (4, 5) goes across the bottom of the graph (4 
spaces), then up (5 spaces). When testing, they should mark and label the 
points on their grid.
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What are some test taking tips?

Test Tips!

#1  Don�t fret, don�t stress out!  You are ready for this.  Do your best.  
Use your strategies.  Show what you know   

Math:  
	Understand the question � pay attention to key words.
	Show your work, show your work, show your work, show your work, show 
        your work, show your work
	Write in the test book, underline, and mark it in any way that makes 
        things clearer.  Also use scratch paper
	Underline key words in the problem (more, greater, each�)
	DRAW A PICTURE (even on the calculator active test)
	Make a table
	Find and write down the pattern � the entire pattern
	Pull the facts out of the question and write them down as you read
	Always check subtraction by adding.  Check division by multiplying
	Slam down everything you know about measurement right away
	Can�t fool me, I�m looking at the key!
	Does my answer make sense??
	Show your work, show your work, show your work, show your work, show 
        your work, show your work

Reading:
	Understand the question � pay attention to key words
	Read titles, italics, headings, captions � ALL parts of the passage
	Write in the test book, underline, and mark it in any way that makes 
        things clearer.
	Go back into the passage and underline answers and clues to answers, 
        write question numbers in the passage. 
	Underline key words in the passage
	Plug in your vocabulary choices, does it make sense?
	Use clues from the passage.  They�re not looking for your opinion; 
        they�re looking for an answer based on the passage information.
	Again � no trusting your memory � go back and look
More tips!

Read each question carefully.  Think about what every word means.  Make sure 
that you know what the question is asking.  If I were to answer with a 
complete sentence, how would I start my sentence?  (Example:  What is the 
main idea of the passage?  The main idea is ________)


Multiple Choice

	Read ALL the choices.  Read them ALL CAREFULLY.  Mark out any part 
of 
        the answer that makes it wrong.  Find key words there too.

	Narrow your choices by crossing out the answers you know are wrong.  
        Focus on the choices you have left.  Remember, there is often a 
good  
answer, but there is ALWAYS BEST answer.  You want the BEST answer.

	If you are becoming frustrated with a question, you can skip the 
question and come back to it later.  Just circle the question number in your 
book and leave that one blank on your bubble sheet.  COME BACK to it later.

	Always put down an answer.  NEVER leave one blank.  After you have 
used good test taking strategies, a guess might be right.

	NO ONE �FINISHES� EARLY.  No one finishes early because you should 
be 
proofreading and checking your answers, solving by another method, drawing a 
picture, looking back in the story.  USE TIME WISELY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT 
YOU 
HAVE DONE YOUR BEST.
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Where can I find sample tests?

Practice tests can be found online:
http://edinformatics.com/testing/testing.htm   Scroll down the page, then 
click on any of these states � Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia.  You are looking 
for �released tests�, �released test items�, �sample test items�, or �test 
banks�.  Stress using the strategies from the attached tips.
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What can I do as a parent or guardian?

1)	Continue to support and encourage your child
2)	Continue to communicate high expectations (for learning, for paying 
attention, for behavior and for attendance) and continue to express 
confidence in your child�s ability to succeed.
3)	Continue to monitor homework, asking your child to explain math and 
reading answers to you � WHY is that a good answer??
4)	Go over the math review information on this page.  Even though we 
have learned all these concepts this year, there are many concepts to review 
and many things to memorize.  Quiz your child on these items.  If you take 
the time to do this, they will feel better prepared and more confident.
5)	Encourage use of the �test taking strategies� on this page.  Look 
for 
use of those strategies in your child�s tests and assignments.  
6)	Go over returned tests with your child.  Focus on the incorrect 
answers � where did you find your answer, how did you show your work, 
explain 
why you chose that answer.  Look for the 8 x 14 reading assessments.  They 
are very similar to the EOG reading tests.  Please note your child�s use/non-
use of strategies, attention to detail, and strengths/weaknesses.
7)	ABOVE ALL, model calmness, confidence, thoughtfulness.  Students 
will 
take their test taking cues and attitudes from us.
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What is T-I-Q-P-N-check?

We use a strategy known as T-I-Q-P-N-check.
T � read the title
I � read the italics, information, bold print, captions, and instructions
Q � read the questions (yes, before you read the passage)
P � now, go back and read the passage
N � narrow down your multiple choice answers (choose the BEST answer)
Check � check back in the passage, check your answers, be sure nothing is 
left blank.
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What can we do the week of EOGs?

	Make sure your child has a good night�s sleep the night before each 
of the tests.  In fact, keeping a normal, early to bed schedule all weekend 
would be ideal!

	Make sure your child has a good breakfast each morning of the 
tests.  
Our brains and our bodies need fuel in order to function at their top 
condition.  

	Remind your student to use the strategies taught in class.  Assure 
your child that everything on the test has already been taught to him/her 
(there won�t be any surprises!).

	Encourage your child.  Express your high expectations as well as 
your 
confidence in your child�s ability.  Again, children take their cues and 
attitudes from us.  Remain calm, reassuring, and positive :)

	Be on time for school during testing days.  Tardiness is stressful 
for a child and may require extra testing dates for him or her.  Avoid 
absences if at all possible.  Missed tests will have to be made up on 
alternate dates.
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Where can I get more information about the North Carolina EOGs?

Go to:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability
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