According to research associates Aaron Kercheval and Sharon Newbill in a paper written in 2002, "A Case Study of Key Effective Practices in Ohio's Improved School Districts," teachers should prepare students for any standardized exam by directly teaching test-taking skills. It is beneficial for teachers to give students numerous practice tests. When necessary, intervention strategies should be implemented for students needing special help. Remedial help should be provided before or after school for these students.
The most basic of test-taking tips for students is to relax and get a good night's sleep. The TAKS ELA for 9th-, 10th- and 11th-graders consists of four parts: Reading/Triplet comprises a fiction, a nonfiction and a media/visual item; Reading Comprehension Multiple Choice; Writing Composition and Revising/Editing. Since students can use a dictionary for the Reading and Writing Sections, these sections should be completed first. Students may not use a dictionary once they begin the Editing Section.
It sounds basic, but students must read the directions. Students often answer questions incorrectly because they fail to read directions. Students should read each passage and all the questions. It is helpful to highlight the topic sentences in paragraphs and to read the questions first before reading the passage. This enables students to look for key information as they read. In multiple choice questions, read every choice before choosing the final answer. The correct answer could be the last choice.
Sometimes students think they see a pattern in the multiple choice answers and respond accordingly. This is not the case, so read each question carefully and go back into the passage for the answers. Eliminate answers that are obviously incorrect. You might be able to easily eliminate two out of four answers. Now you have a 50/50 chance of making an educated guess if you are not sure of the correct answer. Do not leave any questions blank.
It is important not to spend too much time on one question. If you find a question is difficult, move to the next question and if there is time after you finish the remainder of the test, go back to questions you were not sure of. Put a small pencil mark in the margin so you can keep track of which questions you want to look at again. Be sure you have recorded your answers in the correct space. It is always important to check your answers and to reread questions if there is time. Work as rapidly as possible while still being accurate.