Test Taking Playbook Info Sheet
Student Information Sheet Study Skills & Exam Strategy
Test-Taking Strategies / Middle School Reference Guide
Binder Guide: Keep for Study & Review
Grades 6–8 • Core Testing Toolkit
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Phase 1: Pre-Test Preparation (48 Hours to Morning Of)
48h Out: Active Review
Ditch passive re-reading. Use self-quizzing, flashcards, or summarize notes out loud to a partner. Never cram everything the night before.
Night Before: Rest Priority
Aim for 8–9 hours of sleep. Brain scientists prove sleep locks short-term facts into long-term recall memory. Stop studying 1 hour before bed.
Morning: Brain Fuel
Eat protein and whole grains (eggs, oatmeal, peanut butter). Drink water. Avoid sugary sodas or skipping breakfast, which causes mid-test brain fog.
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Phase 2: The First 5 Minutes (Before Answering Question #1)
The "Brain Dump"
Flip to the back or margins right away. Write down formulas, acronyms, dates, or mental checklists before test stress clouds your memory.
Road Map Scan
Quickly preview all pages. Note the question types (multiple-choice vs. essay) and point values so you allocate your energy where points matter most.
Pacing Blueprint
Estimate your time: e.g., 40 minutes for 20 questions = ~1.5 mins per question, saving 10 minutes at the end for constructed responses and review.
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The S.C.O.R.E. Universal Test Routine
S
Survey
Read the prompt twice and uncover key terms.
C
Circle Clues
Circle directive verbs: explain, contrast, solve.
O
Outlaw
Eliminate at least 2 obviously flawed choices.
R
Reason
Select your best answer using text/math proof.
E
Evaluate
Double-check: did you actually answer what was asked?
Golden Rule of Pacing
Stuck on a question for over 90 seconds? Put a dot by the question number, pick your best tentative guess, and keep moving. Return during your final check!
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Student Information Sheet • Part 2
Format-Specific Tactics & Mindset
Quick Reference Guide
Cracking Different Question Formats
Multiple Choice
- • Cover & Predict: Cover the options with your hand; answer in your head first.
- • Watch Extreme Words: Words like always, never, only, none are almost always false.
- • Opposite Pair: If two options contradict directly, one is almost always correct.
Physically slash out (X) eliminated options!
Written / R.A.C.E.
R: Restate the prompt as a topic sentence.
A: Answer all parts of the question.
C: Cite evidence ("In paragraph 3, it states...").
E: Explain how the proof supports your answer.
Re-read to ensure you answered part A AND part B!
Math / C.U.B.E.S.
C: Circle key numbers and labels.
U: Underline the specific question asked.
B: Box math clue words (sum, product, per).
E: Eliminate distracting extra info.
S: Solve & Check: Does the answer make sense?
Always write out units (cm, $, seconds)!
Beating Test Anxiety: 60-Second In-Seat Resets
Box Breathing (4-4-4)
Inhale through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale smoothly through mouth for 4 counts. Repeat twice to lower racing heart rate.
The Pencil-Drop Reset
If your mind goes completely blank: gently set your pencil down. Roll your shoulders back, unclench your jaw, stretch fingers, and look at the clock.
Negative Thought Swap
Catch panic thoughts like "I'm failing this" and replace with "This is just one question; I know other material. Let me hunt for points."
Final 5 Minutes: Turn-In Audit Checklist
✓
Zero Blank Answers: Educated guesses are always better than guaranteed zero points on unanswered questions.
✓
Review Flagged Questions: Return to questions you dotted or marked during your first pass to verify your best response.
✓
Units & Labels Added: Math and science responses must have appropriate units ($ , %, kg, cm²).
✓
Prompt Complete: Check that multi-step questions ("Why AND how") received both answers.
✓
Clean Up Work: Neatly erase stray markings, fix illegible handwriting, and ensure answers are easy to read.
✓
Your Name is on Every Page: Double-check first and last name, date, and class period are legible.
Remember: A test score measures how well you mastered a specific topic on a specific day—not your overall intelligence, creativity, or worth! Stay calm and execute your plan.
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