Test Taking Skills for Elementary Students
General Test Taking Strategies
Test tip #1
Most of the time the teacher or parent is not allowed to help you. Make sure you listen to the
directions very carefully.
Test tip #2
Most of the time the teacher or parent is only allowed to read the question one time. Listen very
carefully for clues to help you answer each question.
Test tip #3
Read and think about all of the choices before choosing the answer you think is right. Get rid of
the answers that you know are wrong then choose the answer that you think best answers the question.
Then mark your answer on your test page.
Test tip #4
Remember that most tests have time limits so work as quickly as you can, but do not rush through
your work. Rushing and shortcuts usually end up in making mistakes.
Test tip #5
Sometimes the test is in a booklet and you need to mark your answers on another sheet of paper.
Always double check to make sure that you are marking your answer with the right question.
Test tip #6
It is very important to understand the symbols that are often used in test directions. Let's review
the most common words and symbols.
This means you must stop here. Do not turn the page. If you have time left double
check your answers.
This means that you should turn the page and continue on with the test.
_______
This means that you should fill in the blank. Sometimes you can write in the blank,
but other times you must choose a word and then fill in the correct answer on your
answer sheet.
Bold type
This means that the word or phrase is very important and you need to pay special
attention to this word.
Italics
Words that are written on a slant, like this example, are also very important words
that may be clues to help you answer the question. Pay close attention to these
words.
Underlined
Words that are underlined are also very important. Pay close attention to any words
or phrases that have lines under them.
This is a check box. You may need to shade or fill in the right check box. Some
times the check box may be an oval or a circle.
They may look like this
, or like this
.
Shaded
This means that the teacher or parent wants you to shade in the box, circle or oval
of the answer that you think is correct.
Example
Sometimes the teacher or parent will do a sample question with you to make sure
that you understand the directions.
Passage
A passage is a short paragraph that you read and then answer questions about.
Exercise
This means the test questions.
Kitten : Cat :: Puppy : Dog
This is a relation type question. It should be read as "kitten is
to cat as puppy is to dog". Usually the teacher or parent will leave one of the words
blank and you will have to choose the right answer. For example, mother : girl ::
father : _____
Do you know the answer? Let's read it together. It says, "mother is to girl as father
is to _?_". Have you got the answer yet? You are right! The answer is boy.
True or T
This means you are supposed to write "True", or "T" if you think the statement is
correct.
False or F
This means you are supposed to write "False", or "F" if you think the statement is
wrong.
Remember your math symbols. They are used in Math and Science tests.
+
This means to add together. 3+4=7
This means to subtract or take away from. 7-3=4
X, or 
This means to multiply. 3x4=12
, /, or ____
This means to divide. 124=3
=
This means equal to. 3=3

This means less than. 56

This means less than or equal to. 4.55

This means greater than. 75

This means greater than or equal to. 98.5
Test Tip #7
There are many direction words that you should know. Let's review these now.
Numeral
a number
Meaning
a definition of a word
Symbol
a picture that means something
Eliminate
get rid of an answer that is not correct
Decide
to choose, or make up your mind
Answer
to respond to the question
Timed
a certain amount of time is allowed to complete the test
Correct
the right answer
Pick
to choose
Sum
to add
Booklet
a bound or stapled group of papers
Phrase
a group of words
Italics
words that written on a slant
Erase
to wipe out completely
Best
the most correct
Column
a series that goes up and down the page
Row
a series that goes across the page
Items
a test question
Exercise
all of the test questions
Clue
a hint
Fit
put into place
Test tip #8
Read the directions very carefully. Every word counts. Do not think you know what the
directions are asking for. Make sure you know exactly what the directions are asking for. Follow the
directions exactly and do everything the directions ask you to do.
Test tip #9
The directions tell you what to do. The example or sample item shows you what to do. If you do
not know what to do, look at example or sample item.
Test tip #10
To be successful when writing a test you should do three things:
1. Think of the test as a fun and exciting challenge, like climbing a mountain or painting a great
picture.
2. Organize your thoughts and plan how you are going to answer your questions, like planning a
holiday or reading a road map.
3. Never quit. Don't give up too soon. Leave the most difficult questions for a little while, but always
remember to come and answer them.
Multiple Choice Tests
Test tip #11
When writing multiple choice tests, get rid of the choices that seem silly, or the ones that you
know are wrong. Then use the information in the test item to choose the BEST answer. Don't just
guess. Take your time and read the question very carefully. Look for clues to help you decide which
choice is the best answer. The information that you need to answer the question is provided. Be the
detective and figure it out.
Test tip #12
Look at all the questions first. The questions will helps you know what to look for as you read
through the passages or look at the diagrams.
Test tip #13
To avoid be confused on multiple choice tests try to do the following.
1. Do not look at the answer choices until you understand the question
2. Then look at the answer choices. Find the one that is the closest to what you had thought would be
the correct answer.
3. Circle or fill in your choice.
Test tip #14
Multiple choice tests can be very tricky. Make sure that you read all of the answer choices before
you decide which choice best answers the question. Remember to eliminate answer choices that
seem too silly or are not correct. Also remember that that at least one of the answer choices must
be correct.
Test tip #15
Sometimes one question will help you answer another question. If you do not get the question
right away, leave it and then come back to it. You may find a clue to the answer in another
question.
Test tip #16
Think of yourself as a detective finding many clues in the exam. Clues can be found in the
questions, the answer choices, and in the passages. Remember to read carefully and that every
word counts.
Timed Tests
Test tip #17
On timed tests wok as quickly as you can without rushing. Rushing leads to careless mistakes
and poorer test results.
Test tip #18
Students who do well on timed tests do three things:
1. They look over the whole test before they begin. This helps to organize their thoughts and plan how
to do the test. First the students read the titles, then they skim through the passages and diagrams,
then they read the questions and quickly look over the answer choices.
2. They do not waste too much time on any one question. If they have trouble they leave the question
and will come back and answer it later. If they come to a word they do not know they just keep
reading. Sometimes the meaning of a word can be found in the rest of the sentence.
3. They work as quickly and as carefully as they can trying hard not to make any mistakes.
Test Tip #19
Watch for KEY WORDS. When you find a key word read slowly and carefully. The right
answer is usually very close.
Math Tests
Test tip #20
You must know the Math definitions of words in order to answer the questions correctly. For
example: Area could mean the place where the children play, or it could mean the length times
the width of rectangle. Review Test tips #6 and #7 for symbols and definitions.
Test Tip #21
Sometimes math problems look difficult. Do not give up. Work out each answer choice to find
the one that is correct. For example:
(9-6) x ? =6
1) 3 3) 2
Try 3 (9-6) x 3 = 9 doesn't work
2) 6 4) 4 Try 6 (9-6) x 6 = 18 doesn't work
Try 2 (9-6) x 2 = 6 It works! So this must be the right answer!
Test Tip #22
Create a diagram to help show what is happening. Math diagrams should be kept simple and you
do not have to be an artist to draw a good math diagram.
Test Tip #23
In order to understand Math Problems, you need to understand what the words are telling you to
do (=, -, x, ). Good Math students do the following:
1. Read the whole question slowly and carefully.
2. Draw a diagram that shows what is happening.
3. Find the clue words that tell you what to do
4. Find important number facts that will help you solve the problem
5. Find the extra information that is NOT important for solving the problem and cross it out.
Test Tip #24
Always read the question one last time before you choose your answer. Make sure that you have
done all the steps.
Test Tip #25
Preview all graphs and charts before you begin. To preview a graph or
Chart look for the words at the bottom and on the sides that tell you what the graph or chart is about.
Then read the title and look at the key so that you know what the symbols mean. Then you are ready to
answer the questions about the graph.
Language Arts Tests
Test tip #26
Capitals are important! Review your Capitalization rules.
Test tip #27
Punctuation rules are very important. Review your Punctuation rules.
Test tip #28
Spelling is also very important. Review your basic spelling rules. Read the directions very
carefully. Sometimes the teacher or parent may ask you to find the words that are not spelled correctly,
and sometimes they may wish for you to write or print the words correctly. Make sure that you
understand the directions.
Test tip #29
Remember that the process of elimination works for Language Arts Tests. Get rid of every
answer that is wrong and choose between the ones that you think might be right.
Test tip #30
Good grammar is key to a good Language Arts test mark. Review your basic grammar rules.
Test Tip #31
To find the main idea of a paragraph you want to find the sentence that tells what the paragraph is
all about. The sentence that does not fit with the main idea of the paragraph does not belong in the
paragraph. For example if the main idea of the paragraph is that kittens come in all shapes and sizes,
and then you run across a sentence that describes the color of the sky then you would know that the
"sky" sentence does not belong in the paragraph.
Test Tip #32
Remember to use correct spelling and grammar when writing an essay type test. Also remember
to place Capitals and punctuation marks where they belong. Do not for get to indent the first sentence
of every paragraph. Double check to make sure that you have written in complete sentences.