Test Taking Skills

Mrs. Briggs
Room 220

Purpose/Overview:
The purpose of this course is to teach students the skills necessary to more fully participate
in the academic setting. Students will gain insights into themselves as learners in order to better
approach tests and other assessments. This course will address organization, note-taking and study
strategies, metacognition, test-taking skills, as well as ACT preparation. Students will be able to
apply skills learned in this course on the ACT and other standardized tests but also in their current
and future academic placements.

Expectation:
Students will come to class prepared to learn and apply concepts learned in class to other
academic courses and preparation done at home for tests and quizzes.

Materials
In order for students to participate fully in the course, the following materials are
recommended:
Planner (hardy copy or electronic)
Writing Materials
Binder with dividers
Highlighters
Colored Pens/Pencils
Post-It Notes
Index Cards

Grading
Students will be graded on a four-point scale, based on the following breakdown:
4.0 A
3.7 A-
3.3 - B+
3.0 B
2.7 B-
2.3- C+
2.0 C
1.7 C-
1.3 D+
1.0 D
0.7 D-
0.3 E

Assignments
This course will be largely project-based. Projects will be created in class with homework assigned
only if work is not completed within the allotted class time. Projects will include a final product as
well as a presentation component. In order to gauge students understanding, authentic practice and
reflection of strategies and methods will be employed.
Projects
**Projects will have twice the weight that miscellaneous assignments and reflections will have.

Personal Learning Style
This project requires students to identify themselves based on Gardners Theory of Multiple
Intelligences. Students will explore strategies that correlate to their unique learning style and
create a presentation (PowerPoint or poster) that will illustrate their knowledge.
Teacher Analysis
Students are required to analyze their current teachers based on their knowledge of
Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Using evidence, students will identify the teachers
learning style. Student will also be required to examine how their own learning might be affected
and what actions in each course might be required for success.
Assessment Investigation
Students will examine past tests or quizzes to evaluate the various components of an
assessment in order to better understand how to be successful when test taking. During this review,
students will evaluate the different assessment formats and how to best answer each type of
questions. They will also identify various test-taking vocabulary, as well as different answering
methods. Students will summarize the evaluation process with a personal reflection on each class
that will help them implement better test taking practices in the future.
Technology Review
Students will choose an App or website that is of academic value and write a review of its
worth to students. Students will be required to test the app/website on both a teacher and a peer,
using their input within their review. The final product of this project will be an advertisement that
showcases the app/website uses as well as a written review.
ACT Growth
Students will first take a pre-test to gauge their current projected ACT score. After
completion of the ACT unit, in which test taking and study strategies will be presented and applied,
students will be graded on their ability to increase their score.
Final Exam Study Method
Students will create an overall guide for how to study for their midterm exams. An
individual study folio will be created for each class including study materials, a schedule for
studying, and questions to ask teachers regarding unknown information.
Most Fridays will be designated a Study Day. This is a time where students will be
expected to employ strategies used in class on other courses material. Students will have their
planners checked for completeness (10 points) and will conference with me regarding progress in
other classes.

Absences
This course will follow the school wide attendance policy. Any student who is not in their seat when
the class starts will be marked tardy. Please see the student hand book for the full attendance
policy.

Contact Information
Please feel free to contact me whenever needed.
Email: erikabriggs@hartlandschools.us
Phone: 810-626-2329