FCAT TEST TAKING TIPS

MATHEMATICS TIPS

Ask “What do I know?”, “What am I being

asked to do?”, and “What procedure do I

use?”

Eliminate the obviously wrong answers.

Make sure you show your work on your

test booklet. Even if your answer is wrong

you will get credit for the work you did

correctly.

Do not spend too much time on one

problem. Mark it and return to it later.

Reading Tips Review the questions before reading the

selection.

Read the passage.

While reading, underline any words,

phrases or sentences you think are

important to the meaning of the passage.

Put a check mark in the margin across

from key phrases.

Mark out the obviously wrong answers.

MORE READING TIPS

For Extended Response Questions you

will receive the best grade if you put the

answer in your own words. The graders

want to know that you understand the

answer. Don’t merely pull a sentence out

of the text and use it as the answer. On

these questions you can receive from 0-4

points per question, depending on your

answer.

Make sure you read the article carefully.

The test makers have selected articles for

the test that they think you don’t know very

much about. That is because FCAT is a

“thinking test”. It is made to test the

strategies that you use when you read.

Pace yourself. You will have about 20

minutes to finish each article and

questions.

Make sure you read the headings and

captions that go with the pictures. They

contain important information.

PLEASE REMEMBER

• If you score below 300 on the Reading

section of FCAT, you will be required to

take an Intensive Reading class.

• If you score below 200 on the math

section of FCAT, you will be required to

take an Intensive Math class.

• Try to do your very best so that you do not

have to take intensive classes next year.

FCAT WRITING + TIPS

Determine the purpose of the prompt: persuasive or expository

Plan your response with a graphic organizer or notes.

Stay focused in your response. Do not stray into other topics.

Make sure you are addressing the prompt.

Make sure you are organized in your response.

MORE WRITING TIPS

Use transitions.

Vary your sentence structure.

Use vivid language.

Check your paper for spelling,

capitalization, punctuation, and usage

errors.

Make sure your paper has a well defined

beginning, middle and end.

GENERAL TEST TAKING TIPS

Be prepared to “stick with it” throughout the

entire test.

Stay focused on your test taking strategies.

Spend time on the Extended Response

Questions; they can have a huge impact on your

final FCAT score.

Ignore what others are doing.

Pace yourself. Do not spend too much time on

one question. Circle it and come back to it later

if you have the time.

Practice reading nonfiction articles at home prior to test day. This might include newspaper articles, FCAT materials, encyclopedia articles, nonfiction books, etc. Try to find the main idea, key words and phrases, etc.

Answer all questions! Don’t give up!

Don’t just answer the easy questions and skip the hard questions. The hard questions are worth more points. If you skip all the hard ones you will not score well.

Work hard and you will win the race.

Presentation prepared by Maxine Mangus,

Tavares Middle School Literacy

Coach