Test Prep: General Guidelines

Before the test:

1. Increase your stamina, your ability to endure long periods of reading and writing, by reading every night; start off by reading at least 35 minutes, then slowly increase to 45 then 60 minutes, etc. Annotate main ideas and meaningful details; use post-its or take notes in your notebook.
2. Read nonfiction: articles in magazines and newspapers, memoirs, biographies, how-to books, textbooks. Read about what you are learning in Science and Social Studies.
3. The day of the tests, eat a nutritious breakfast with lots of brain foods such as nuts and seeds, whole grains, and fruit such as blueberries.

During the test:

1. Be open-minded and have a positive attitude. You can learn a lot of new things on the test. This is also an exciting challenge, and not to mention your last citywide ELA test.
2. Stay focused no matter what. You do not have time to zone out. If your mind begins to wander, take a deep breath and quickly bring your attention back on the test.
3. Read the directions and questions very carefully. Make sure you understand what the question is asking you.
4. Before reading the passages, read the questions first.
5. As you read, annotate what the questions are asking about. Note main ideas and meaningful details.
6. Don't spend too much time on things you don't understand or are unsure of. For a question you aren't sure of, write down a possible answer. Mark it in your booklet as a question to go back to if you have time.

When you read nonfiction (informational texts, memoirs, biographies, articles), what should you look for?

When you read fiction, what should you look for?

When you read poetry, what should you look for?