In April and May, all of New York will be taking the ELA and Math State Test. For students not familiar with this test, it is a standardized test used for measuring the learning progress of the students in the school. Although it is not mandatory, it is recommended for you to take it just to see how you would do because it would not be added onto your report card. By now all the grades from 6-8 would have already started practicing for the state test in their classes or in their free time. If you feel unsure about how you would do on this test, don’t sweat it! Below will be a list of all the things to do to prepare for this state test and things to do during this test.
Practice! - Practice ahead of time and review the material so that you feel prepared when taking the state test. Practicing ahead can make you feel more confident in your answers and can stop you from second-guessing yourself.
Don’t Stress About It! - Take breaks when practicing for the test and when you are taking the actual test. Taking breaks can be crucial to avoid you from getting burnouts or increased levels of stress. These can be harmful and can prevent you from completely finishing the test or just thinking in general.
Don’t Cram! - One crucial tip that many students don’t follow is to NOT cram before taking the state test. According to a research team, cramming one day before a test will make it more likely that you forget about the material you studied and will only increase your stress.
Goodnight! - Before you take the state test it is recommended to get a good night's sleep. You should get all the rest you need to make it so that you can think more clearly during the test. Getting this rest can also strengthen your memory, so you can remember all of the material for the state test.
Tips when taking the state test:
Easy Questions First - When taking the state test you should first read the passages thoroughly and then answer the questions you know first. This would help with your time management skills and allow you to finish the test on time. When you come across a difficult question, skip it and come back to it later.
Hard Questions Later - When you complete all of the “easy” questions, go back and review the more challenging questions. Usually going back with a new perspective will help you know how to answer the more difficult questions. On top of this you could now take your time on the more challenging questions.
Check your Work - After completing the state test, make sure that you completed all of the questions in the state test. Afterwards you should go back and check all of your previous answers to see if they are correct.
With the new acknowledgment of these tips, hopefully you are able to do your best before and during the state test. I wish everyone the best of luck! Remember to do your best and to take your time!