The PSSA tests student aptitude in reading, writing, speaking, listening and mathematics. Review past tests to identify which areas need more study time. Consult the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website for the "assessment anchor glossary." This resource details which information students need to study for each category, including definitions. Print out the relevant forms and use them as study sheets to supplement the information written down in course notes. Because these assessment anchors were formulated to be used by teachers to prepare students, they can be essential in clarifying information when a teacher cannot be reached.
Never wait until the night before a test to prepare. Always study well in advance, in a quiet and relaxing environment. Hire a tutor if necessary. Never study while watching television, playing computer games or talking on the phone with friends. Avoid these distractions by going to the local library or attending a study group where everyone can practice asking each other potential PSSA questions.
Complete practice tests that emulate the actual PSSA. These tests tell students what types of questions to expect on the PSSA---without the usual consequences for incorrect answers. This method allows students to build test-taking confidence while familiarizing them with the format and subject matter. The Pennsylvania Department of Education website provides students with "scoring samplers" in each subject. Each scoring sampler includes sample multiple-choice questions that resemble those on the PSSA, followed by an explanation of which answer is correct and why. By consulting this resource, students know what to expect on the test and how to approach answering each question.