Strategies for Taking State Assessments Information for Parents and Students
Many of our students will be taking state assessments within the next couple months. Below are some strategies parents and students may follow to help assist in your child’s success on these assessments.
For Parents
• Supporting your children as they prepare to take tests is very important.
• Show your children you have confidence in their ability to do well on tests. Encourage a positive attitude.
• Visit the ODE Web site to find helpful resources for families. The Family Report Interpretive Guide and Standards Guide for Families provide detailed tips and hints for each tested subject and grade level. These resources include suggested at-home activities that help promote learning in a specific area of study. Explore the Families section
• Visit the Success Web site to find additional resources and information for both parents and students in preparing for the tests. Find practice tests, examples of real test questions from previous years, answer guides and external resources that may help your children. Ohio Achievement Tests, Ohio Graduation Tests
• Talk with your children about upcoming tests to help relieve test anxiety. Try not to overemphasize the tests. Help them build self-confidence by making sure they understand you just want them to make their best efforts.
• Encourage your children to take their time in answering the test questions and to answer every question. It is not a race to the finish. Taking time to read the question really well can make a big difference.
• Stick to normal routines. Adequate sleep and proper nutrition are important throughout the school year. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast can promote learning every day and are especially important to help start each morning as alert as possible.
• Make sure your children arrive at school on time without the need to rush to the testing location.
For Students – Responding to the Test Questions
• Stay relaxed and confident while taking the test. Breathe evenly and slowly to help you relax and stay focused.
• Read each question carefully, more than once if necessary. Make sure you understand what is being asked.
• Answer the questions you positively know first. Then, go back and complete the other test questions.
• If you are unsure of an answer, eliminate the incorrect choices. Draw on your understanding of the concept, skill and given text to select the best answer from the remaining choices.
• Remember, there is only one correct answer for each multiple-choice question.
• If a question requires you to do more than one task, such as “identify and provide support,” make sure you have answered every part of the question in the response.
• Do not rush through the test. Take your time and pace yourself. Do not be concerned if other students finish the test before you.
• After you have completed the test, go back and review each test item. Be certain you have correctly marked your answer for each multiple-choice item. Make sure you have answered all parts of short-answer and extended-response questions properly and completely.
• Answer all questions to the best of your ability. Even if you do not know the full answer, you may know enough about the topic to earn partial credit. Do not leave any questions blank.
When are State Assessments Administered:
• OGTs are administered the week of March 12th
• OAAs are administered the weeks of April 23rd & 30th
Contact Donna M. Stanfield at 419-562-4045 or dstanfield@bucyrusschools.org for more information.
