Pathfinder

=Pathfinder: Standardized Test-Taking Strategies=



Introduction:
I chose to create a Pathfinder for standardized test-taking strategies because the goals of my Language Arts Lab classes are two-fold: to teach students skills and strategies to become more fluent, efficient, and competent readers; and to equip them with the strategies necessary to successfully apply these skills to a standardized test. Standardized test-taking is a skill needed at a variety of stages in life and this Pathfinder will provide resources to anyone wanting to learn or teach effective testing strategies.

Key Terms:
standardized test, multiple choice, process of elimination, passage, text

Search Strategies:

 * I began with a simple Yahoo search of "standardized test-taking strategies" and was given meaningful, relevant web sites to choose from.
 * Because I wanted sites that would be usable by children, I went to Kidsclick and Askkids. Kidsclick could find no matches, even when I modified my search to "test-taking"; Askkids, however, pulled up some great sites and also offered me some choices to narrow and/or expand my search.
 * I then did a Google search using Boolean operators to refine my search to Oklahoma standardized testing by entering standardized test-taking strategies AND Oklahoma.
 * Because I wanted to include practice tests for students, I returned to Yahoo and searched for "Standardized Practice Tests"; I quickly found that I needed to narrow this search by adding NOT ACT NOT SAT NOT MCAT NOT GRE.

Online Resources:

 * [|www.testtakingtips.com]: This interactive site allows the user to choose between general test-taking tips and tips for specific kinds of tests such as multiple choice, open-ended questions, etc. It also includes links to tips on stress management, study skills, notetaking, etc.
 * [|www.studygs.net]: This site includes a variety of study guides for all types of standardized tests and strategies specific to each. It is the only site I found that gives specific tips on taking standardized tests online. It also includes information on time management, learning styles and testing, and maximizing the impact of tutoring.
 * [|www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/downloads/jpdf/strategies_MC_tests.pdf]: This article was published online by Glencoe-McGraw-Hill, one of the companies that writes standardized tests. It is straightforward and easy-to-read. It includes general test-taking tips, information on answering options, using process of elimination, and guessing.
 * []: This site is fun and kid-friendly with catchy, meaningful category titles and actual test question examples under each category. The site also provides links for teachers to lesson plans for teaching test-taking strategies.
 * [|www.kwtv.com/Global/story.asp?s=371973]: This article is written for parents to help them understand the purposes for testing and to equip them with strategies to help their kids prepare for taking standardized tests. The information in the article was provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
 * [|www.quia.com/rr/438266.html]: This Who Wants to be a Millionaire-type game asks students relevant questions about how and why to employ a variety of test-taking strategies.
 * [|www.internet4classrooms.com/TCAP.htm]: This site is a clearinghouse for actual released tests that can be printed. It provides tests at all grade levels (elementary through middle school) and all tested content areas. It also provides a tool to create and print your own bubble sheets for practice testing.

Print Resources:

 * //Standardized Test Tutor// by Michael Priestley, Scholastic: This resource contains question-by-question strategies for effective test-taking and is available in both reading and math, at a variety of grade levels.
 * //Get Ready! For Standardized Tests// by Karen Mersky and Carol Turkington, McGraw-Hill: This book is written specifically for parents to help their children prepare for standardized tests. It is available for both reading and math at a variety of grade levels. It also contains practice tests.
 * //Core Skills: Test Prep// by Steck-Vaughn School Supply Staff, Steck-Vaughn: This resource provides tips and strategies to improve standardized test scores in reading, math, and Language Arts.
 * //Standardized Test Practice: Long Reading Passages// by Michael Priestly, Scholastic: This resource contains reproducible passages with test-format questions for each. It also contains tools to allow students to chart their own progress.