Standardized Testing Clinic June 22, 2010 Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Presented by Javad M. Khazaeli, Esq. Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
What You Already Know • Standardized tests are stupid • No Child Left Behind is a pain • Teaching to the test is a bad idea • Testing is a reality that affects your job Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Standardized Tests • They do not test intelligence • They do not test comprehension • They do not test retention • So what do they test? Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Standardized Tests • Biases • Sex • Test Prep • Southern Illinois vs. St. Louis vs. the Coasts • My rate • Wealth Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
The ACT – Structure • 5 Sections • English – 75 Questions; 45 Minutes • Math – 60 Questions; 60 Minutes • Reading – 40 Questions; 35 Minutes • Science – 40 Questions; 35 Minutes • Writing – OPTIONAL; 30 Minutes • English/Writing Score (1-36) • Writing sub score (2-12) Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
The ACT – Structure • Scoring • Each section graded from 1-36 • Total score is average of 4 sections • Score rounded up to the whole Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
The ACT – Structure • There is NO PENALTY for guessing • The quickest way to make a student’s score increase is to have the student SLOW DOWN • The ACT is a test against time Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science The Science Section • Reading and chart interpretation intensive • 7 passages, 40 questions • 3 types of passages • Charts • Experiments • Comparing views • 4 answers for each question Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science The Science Section • ORDERING PASSAGES FROM EASIEST TO HARDEST IS THE KEY • SHOULD NOT DO PASSAGES IN ORDER • DO EASY QUESTIONS BEFORE HARDER QUESTIONS Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Charts – Spotting • 3 chart passages appear • Passages have charts students need to interpret • Each passage has 5 questions • These are the easiest Science passages Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Charts – Strategies • Do these passages first • The written introduction should only be read to clarify a question (vocab) – usually it is a waste of time to read this • Do the questions that have charts in them first • Always go back to the passage to find the answer Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Experiments – Spotting • 3 experiments passages appear • Passages have experiments students need to interpret • Each passage has 6 questions • Some of these passages are chart heavy Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Experiments – Strategies • Identify the chart heavy experiment • Do these after the chart passages • Use the same strategies as chart passages • Do the questions that deal with the 1st experiment first, 2nd experiment second, and so on • Do the questions that compare experiments last • Do non-chart heavy experiments last Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Experiments – Strategies for Non-Chart Heavy Passages • Do these last (if you have time) • Do the questions that deal with the 1st experiment first, 2nd experiment second, and so on • Do the questions that compare experiments last • Once again, the introduction is usually superfluous • Always go back to the passage to find the answer Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Comparing Views – Spotting • 1 comparing views passage appears • Passages have two or more scientific theories • Each passage has 7 questions • These look like reading passages Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Comparing Views – Strategies • Do this passage 3rd, after the chart heavy experiments but before the non-chart heavy experiments • The introduction SHOULD be read for this passage • Chart out the argument • Always go back to the passage to find the answer Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Comparing Views – Strategies • Read the first view; then answer any question that relate to the first view ONLY • Next, do the same for the 2nd view and so on • Finally, do the questions that compare the views Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Science Ordering Passages • Charts • Chart Heavy Experiments • Comparing Views • Non-Chart Heavy Experiments • Don’t be afraid to not finish • But always bubble in everything!!! Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
The Math Section • 60 questions • 60 minutes • Speed test • Questions generally get harder towards the end • All questions worth the same • 5 answers for each question Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
The Math Section • Do questions in order • Guess and move on • Answer choices go from smallest to largest or vice versa • SLOW DOWN to make sure you get the easy questions; guess if you don’t have time on the hard questions Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
The Math Section • Calculator allowed • So let them use it on your tests • Makes sure they know how to use it • Check batteries Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Section Breakdown • Pre-Algebra (23%) • Elementary Algebra (17%) • Intermediate Algebra (15%) • Coordinate Geometry (15%) • Plane Geometry (23%) • Trigonometry (7%) Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Algebra – Guesstimate • Two step answer with NO ALGEBRA • Plug in the middle number • If it works, pick it • If not, is it too big or too small? • If too big, plug in one of two remaining small choices (vice versa) • Correct pick, wrong pick other Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Algebra – Guesstimate Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Algebra – Guesstimate • Middle choice is 4 2/3 • Plug in • $45 (4 2/3) + $30 = $240 • TOO BIG • Eliminate H, J, K • Plug in one of the others – 4 • $45 (4) + $30 = $210 • If it was wrong, then you know it must be last remaining choice Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Algebra – Plug In • Two step answer with NO ALGEBRA • Plug in the middle number • If it works, pick it • If not, is it too big or too small? • If too big, plug in one of two remaining small choices (vice versa) • Correct pick, wrong pick other Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Algebra – Plug In Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Algebra – Guesstimate • Middle choice is 74 • Plug in • 72 + 73 + 74 +75 +76 + 77 = 447 • CORRECT Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Geometry – Guesstimate • Figures are drawn to scale unless specifically stated otherwise • See question 5 • See question 25 • Draw out all geometry word questions Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
TRIG – SOHCAHTOA • Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse • Cos = Adjacent/Hypotenuse • Tan = Opposite/Adjacent Math Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Standardized Test Strategies • NEVER leave any blanks • Better to go slowly and guess on the hard ones than to speed through haphazardly • Use several dull #2 pencils • Cross out wrong answers, write correct answers in margin • Bubble in groups until 5 minutes remain Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Standardized Test Strategies • Avoid sucker questions – e.g. “not enough information” • Dress in layers • Do not talk about the test during breaks • Always go back to the passage to find the answer Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
Resources • “Preparing for the ACT” • HS guidance office usually have several practice ACTs including the one we took today • www.act.org • Contact me at khazaeli@gmail.com Standardized Testing Clinic - SIUE
