Test Taking Strategies

1. Create flashcards and other things to help you study before the test
2. Read the questions first
3. Take your time
4. If you get stuck on a question skip it then come back to it
5. Focus on your test even if everyone else is done

There are many ways to prepare for the CST’s. One of the ways I like to prepare is by reviewing and learning as much as I can before the test. I like to do this because that way I get as much new information as I can instead of going over things I already know. This often works when I really know the past information well. If I do not know the past information then I also go over that as well as try to learn more that may also be on the test. For example I would one week I would learn something new that could possibly be on the test then the next week review would I had learned before. Also I would go over standards I didn’t do so well on the benchmarks so I could know it when it comes up on the CST’s.  At times I think this works better if you review everything you learned one week before the test so it could be fresh in your head.

                Another way I would prepare for the CST’s is by creating flashcards, review questions, and going through old tests. By doing this I am going over both what I didn’t understand and what I did. If I didn’t understand a certain standard then I’d first go over my past tests and check in what standards I didn’t do well on. Second, I’d create flashcards for those standards so I could better understand it and so I could actually understand the question if it came up on the test. I’d also get together with some of my friends to review a couple days before the test. We’d each quiz each other on the subjects we are each struggling with then we’d go over everything just to be sure we covered every little thing. One week before the CST’s I think I would go over as much as I could but not too much. I think that if I go through too much, when the CST’s come there is going to be too much in my head that I’ll forget under pressure. As a result, I think that if I follow everything that I plan on do I should do fine on the CST’s.