Main   >   Schools   >   rawlings-es

FCAT Information

Florida Statewide Assessment Program 2011-2012 Schedule Click on th link to preview the 2011-2012 FCAT testing dates Reading Strategies • It is normal to be nervous when you take a test. Try to relax and think about the readings. • Read carefully; pay attention to details. • Look at the pictures and graphics to help you understand the passage. • Paragraph Labeling: Underline the main points in each paragraph you are reading. • Read each question carefully and be sure to answer what is being asked. • Go back to the passage for clues to help you answer the questions. • You are allowed to go back and read the passages as many times as you want. Read them carefully. • FCAT questions are concerned with the author’s purpose and opinion and are not concerned with your opinion. • Pay close attention to the main idea questions. Here are examples: a) What is this passage mostly about? b) The main topic of this story is .. c) A good title for this passage would be ..? There are many main idea questions on the test so make sure you know how to answer them. • The answer to a main idea question is almost always in the first or last sentence of a passage. Look at the first and last sentences for answers before you look at the rest of the story. • Sometimes the answer to a question may not be in the story. It may be in the title or in a caption under a graph or picture. If you can’t find the answer in the story, look closely at the illustrations and the words under them for clues. • Identify difficult words by looking for little words inside big words, knowing the meaning of word parts, and using the words surrounding to find clues. • After you read the passage, first answer the questions you know. Skip the ones that are too hard and go back later. • Relax and think positively -- some questions may seem hard, but you may be able to figure out what to do after you read the question carefully. • Write on the test. Yes! You can write on the test, since anything written outside the answer box is ignored and will not harm your results. Use circles, underlining, arrows, and other marks that will help solve questions and problems. • Do not be disturbed about other students finishing before you do. Take your time, don't panic, and you will do much better on the test. • Relax. . . don't panic. . . you will do fine. Interactive websites http://www.mrnussbaum.com/readingpassageindex.htm Parent Articles http://www.ehow.com/how_4548513_tips-reading-comprehension.html • Draw a Picture • Rule out Wrong Answers • Check your work • Rule out extra information • Use an exact of estimated answer • Students who mark on the test booklets score higher. You can too! • Use the formulas provided. • Read each problem carefully. • Think about what is being asked. • Choose an appropriate strategy. • Solve the problem using your strategy. • Does the answer make sense? Did the strategy work? Interactive Websites http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/ http://www.mathpower.com/tips.htm Parent Articles http://www.ehow.com/list_7463159_fcat-math-test-tips.html http://www.ehow.com/list_7172774_fcat-testing-tips.html Interactive Websites http://www.iq.poquoson.org/2005vasol/5sci/5sci05.htm http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2003/grade5/science.htm • Memorize the following FCAT writing rubric: Focus, organization, support, and conventions. • Write just as you do for all of your teachers. Remember you are in school and you are in one of your teachers’ classrooms. • Recall writing strategies from class and write down the main points that must appear in your writing. • Write legible, complete sentences and paragraphs, and focus on your main idea. • Read the prompt carefully. As a matter of fact, read it at least two times. • Plan your writing by organizing your ideas. • Support your ideas by telling more about each reason or argument. • Use a variety of sentence structures. • Choose words that help others understand what you mean. • Use facts, incidents, reasons, examples, and statistics (FIRES) to support your topic sentence. • Review and edit your writing. In your review, check spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. • Be sure that the reader is able to TOUCH, TASTE, SEE, SMELL, AND HEAR what your are writing about. Be sure to stay on topic! • Give your sentences life by using words that show not tell. Parent articles http://www.ehow.com/list_7159319_fcat-writing-strategies.html http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_7159319_fcat-writing-strategies.html • It is normal to be nervous when you take a test. Try to relax and think about the readings. • The FCAT is a timed test. Concentrate and work at a steady pace. • Multiple choice o Carefully determine the correct answer and then look for the answer in one of the four choices. If your answer is not there, you will need to redo the problem in math or rethink the problem in reading. • Gridded response o Gridded response questions are worth one point each. Carefully write the number in the space above the bubbles. Fill in each bubble to match the number above it. Blank spaces should remain blank with no writing or bubbles filled in the space. • As you are taking the test, systematically check to be sure that you are bubbling your answer in the correct area and number. • As you’re reading a multiple-choice question, try to come up with the answer in you head before you look at the choices. • Occasionally check the time and make sure you are on track. • For each item, very carefully read the entire test item and all the possible answers. • Answer the easier questions first and persist to the end of the test and attempt to answer every question, regardless of difficulty. • Keep a positive state of mind, and do your best. • Be sure to move on to a new question if you are confused and are having a difficult time remembering something. Coming back later sometimes triggers your memory to remember what you have forgotten. • Mark questions that you want to return to. ( On your test booklet only ) • Make no stray marks on your paper near your answers. • If you decide to change an answer, completely erase the old one. • If you answer all the questions in a given section and there is still time left, go back and be • a detective. Reread each question and your answer and see if they make sense. • Relax. . . don't panic. . . you will do fine. • Don't leave blanks -- there is no penalty for guessing or for wrong answers. • Tackle the test. These tests are not like the ones your teacher gives. There will be questions that seem too easy and questions that seem way too hard. Your goal is to think positively and to score as many points as you can. • Don’t let the test trick you. Always read to the end of the answer choices. Cross off answers you • know are wrong. • If you have questions about what you are to do, raise your hand. • Change answers only when you are certain. The answer which comes to mind first is often correct. • Reviewing with an anxious mind and changing answers when you are not certain can do more harm than good. • Keep a steady pace and do not let more difficult questions affect your attitude and steal your valuable time. Students often cloud their minds by lingering over difficult