1. Write your “bag of tricks” on the first blank page – if you use a multiplication chart – make that here before beginning the test – write anything you want to remember like integer rules, Kangaroos Hop Down the Mountain Drinking Chocolate Milk (for Kilo, Hecto, Deka, Meter, Deci, Centi. Milli), fraction rules, etc…
2. Put answer document under chair and answer all questions on your test booklet – then go back and bubble. Do not bubble as you go – this takes energy – not a lot – but it may be just that much that you need to get that last answer right.
3. Do all the easy questions you know how to do first! Then go back and do the ones you know how to do but they take a little more effort. Then work on the ones you weren’t sure about.
4. When you get to the ones you aren’t sure about – list what you know from the paragraph and any information you can get from this information. Keep it organized.
5. Know why the other answer choices are the wrong answer.
6. Estimate and Eliminate any answers which are clearly wrong. If you solve the answer by eliminating the other answers – prove the one you choose.
7. While bubbling – read the question part one more time and make sure your answer is reasonable before you bubble. (This will keep you from marking something like one candy bar is $30.00 instead of $0.30.) (Prove any changes you decide to make with work to back up the answer you choose.)
8. After bubbling: go back and do the “two finger check” – place one finger on your answer and the other on the answer document and make sure they match.
9. TAKE YOUR TIME – this is YOUR score and no one else’s – it is worth the extra 3-5 seconds to make sure you get it right.
10. Get a good night’s sleep.
11. Eat a good breakfast** (Don’t eat a huge breakfast if you aren’t used to this – just eat a little more than usual so you aren’t hungry. Don’t over do it!)
12. Listen to and read all of the directions BEFORE starting.
13. Take a deep breath and focus.
14. Relax.
15. Pay close attention to wording – underline, highlite, list what you know, anything to organize your thoughts.
16. If all else fails - Don’t be afraid to make an educated guess.
17. Use all of the time allotted for the test. Don’t rush even if others are finishing. (see #9)
18. Remember that it isn’t the end of the world – you just need to do the very best you can.