1. Test Thinking Strategy Test Thinking Strategy
Instructions for Classroom Use Instructions for Classroom Use
STEP 1: S TEP 1:
Provide individual copies of the reading selection (or problems) and the Provide individual copies of the reading selection (or problems) and the
questions with answer choices blanked out. questions with answer choices blanked out.
S TEP 2: S TEP 2:
Read the passage or problem and write your answer to each Read the passage or problem and write your answer to each
question in the blank space where the multiple-choice answers question in the blank space where the multiple-choice answers
would have been. would have been.
S TEP 3: S TEP 3:
Share your answers with a partner, discussing why you think Share your answers with a partner, discussing why you think
your answers make sense and pointing out where you found the your answers make sense and pointing out where you found the
answers in the passage (either written or inferred) or how you solved the answers in the passage (either written or inferred) or how you solved the
problem. problem.
S TEP 4: S TEP 4:
Now look at the questions with the multiple- choice answer Now look at the questions with the multiple- choice answer
options. Work with your partner or a team to compare the options. Work with your partner or a team to compare the
answers you wrote with the answer choices provided . Look for answers you wrote with the answer choices provided . Look for
an answer that is closest to the one you wrote. Your written answers an answer that is closest to the one you wrote. Your written answers
may not be exact matches with the choices provided – select the may not be exact matches with the choices provided – select the
answer you and your partner (or team) feel is the closest answer you and your partner (or team) feel is the closest
match. match.
S TEP 5: S TEP 5:
The whole group or class discusses the answers. For each The whole group or class discusses the answers. For each
question, tally how many students chose each suggested answer. Invite question, tally how many students chose each suggested answer. Invite
students to explain the reasoning behind their choices and the students to explain the reasoning behind their choices and the
evidence they found to support their answer . Then reveal the evidence they found to support their answer . Then reveal the
“correct” answer to find out how closely their collective reasoning “correct” answer to find out how closely their collective reasoning
mirrored the way the test-makers understood the question. Spend mirrored the way the test-makers understood the question. Spend
some time having students talk about why each “right” some time having students talk about why each “right”
answer is right, and why some of the wrong answers seemed answer is right, and why some of the wrong answers seemed
“right” at first. “right” at first.
S TEP 6: S TEP 6:
Share actual scores from the past benchmark tests or other tests with Share actual scores from the past benchmark tests or other tests with
students. Questions to ask: students. Questions to ask:
 How did you score this time?  How did you score this time?
 If your score was different this time, what caused the  If your score was different this time, what caused the
difference? difference?
 How can you use this strategy when you take the next test  How can you use this strategy when you take the next test
or CST? or CST?