Middle School Students Test Taking Tips

1. ERB Test-Taking Tips & Strategies

2. Ways to Prepare Yourself …

3. Sleep Well
If you sleep well, your body – including your brain – will
perform better. Getting too much or too little sleep can
negatively affect testing performance. So how much sleep
should you get?
AGE HOURS OF SLEEP
9-16 10
It’s especially important before taking the ERBs that your
body and mind are in prime condition. Sleeping well is an
important part of that.

4. Eat Well
Brain cells need twice as much energy as the other cells of your
body. A brain uses a fuel called glucose which is a type of
sugar. It can’t store it, so it gets it from your blood. Your blood
gets glucose from the foods you eat. If you want to think well,
your brain needs a steady supply of glucose. That’s why eating
well – especially before tests– is so important.
Natural foods provide a slow release of sugar into your blood.
Processed or refined foods provides a fast release of sugar. It is
usually better for your body to have a slow and steady release of
sugar.

5. Movement & Breathing
A little aerobic movement before taking a test pumps your brain
full of BDNF, which helps connections between synapses in your
brain to work more effectively.
Take a brisk walk down the hallway in between your class
period to get your blood pumping and get oxygen to your
brain!

6. Keep Hydrated
Your brain is approximately 80% water. You become restless
and have scattered attention when you are mildly dehydrated;
slow and lethargic when severely dehydrated.
Drinking plenty of water improves brain
functioning. Soft drinks, fruit juices, teas and
coffee do not hydrate nearly as well as pure
water.

7. Snacks for Fuel and Memory
If you skip breakfast, which hopefully you won’t, you should
give your brain a boost of glucose. This can be done with a
snack before the test. Certain foods also help your mind focus
and sharpen your memory.
Bananas, popcorn, even candy (especially
peppermint) will work to give your brain
glucose.
In a recent study, those who chewed gum or
smelled peppermint before test-taking were able
to concentrate better. Ask your teacher if this is
allowed!

8. Relax
Feeling relaxed and stress-free is very important to perform best.
When your body is stressed, certain chemicals are released by the
body. Those chemicals cause a fight or flight reaction. They
quicken breathing, tighten muscles, raise blood pressure. It
makes it difficult to calmly and carefully concentrate on a test.
Here are some ideas you can do to help yourself:
1. Be active and get some exercise beforehand.
2. Before starting, stretch your muscles and breath slowly.
3. Visualize a calm place or something you like to do.

9. On the Day of the Test…

10. Have your materials
ready..
 Bring at least two #2 pencils with good erasers with you
to the test.
 Keep your eyes on your own paper, you don't want to
appear to be cheating and cause unnecessary trouble for
yourself. One of the biggest problems for test-takers is
worrying about what others are doing around them. It
doesn’t matter how far the others are on their tests.

11. Pretend You’re Alone
Distractions are a big reason why many test takers don’t
perform at their best. Your classroom setting will be very quiet
and comfortable. There won’t be a lot of movement or loud
talking.
Try not to look at anyone around you. Don’t speak to other test-
takers or respond to others speaking to you during the test.
Focus only on what YOU are doing!

12. LISTEN & Follow Directions
Your teacher will give important information and directions
before you start your test.
Listen carefully because knowing exactly what to do helps you
feel confident and comfortable. Your teacher cannot answer
questions once the test begins.
You will be required to READ directions of the section of your
test. Review the sample problems in your booklet so you
understand how to answer the section.

13. When testing begins…
 Review the whole section quickly before you start
answering questions.
See how many questions are in the section. Consider how
much time you will need to allow yourself to double
check your answers. Your teacher will let you know how
much time you have for the section.
 Fill in the circle or bubble completely. If the scoring
machine can't read your mark, it will mark it wrong.
 Double check to make sure that you are bubbling in the
circle in the correct section of the test.

14. Pace Yourself
Another big mistakes made by test-takers is rushing through
questions like it’s a race. Go slowly. Even though the ERBs are a
timed test, pace yourself.
On timed tests, it’s a good strategy to answer the easy questions
first and skip some of the harder questions for later. This builds
your confidence and gets you in a groove.
Be sure to leave time at the end for making quick intelligent
choices on the questions you skipped. Answer all questions!

15. Don't worry if others finish before you are done.
Focus on the test in front of you!!.
Use ALL Your Time!!

16. If you begin to feel nervous…
Stay relaxed. This is not high-stakes testing. One of the
goals of the ERBs in Middle Division is to help familiarize
you with the format of standardized tests.
If you begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly
to relax yourself and then get back to work.

17. You will take only 3 sections of the ERB
(one each day)
Reading Comprehension
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning

18. Reading Comprehension
ERB reading is different from everyday reading. You’ll have to
read quickly and efficiently. Your goal is not to learn the
information. Rather, you need to figure out the main point and
where to look for any details you might be asked about.
Avoid the traps!
• Reading too slowly
• Continually rereading things you do not
understand. Remember you can skip for
later.
• Spending more time on the passages than
on the questions.

19. Use QRQ
On reading comprehension passages, you should do the following:
• Read through the Questions FIRST
• Then Read the passage
• Finally, Answer the Questions
That is the QRQ strategy. Studies have shown that test-takers
that follow QRQ score higher than those that don’t.
Using QRQ only takes a little more time and it’s such an easy
thing to do. QRQ should be done whenever there are reading
passages and questions.

20. Verbal Reasoning
VR is the ability to think, reason, and solve problems in
different ways. You will be asked to organize, compare,
analyze and synthesize information.
Sample question…
If all vehicles provide transportation, and if automobiles
and ships are vehicles, then:
(A) all vehicles are either automobiles or ships
(B) ships are used for the same purposes as automobiles
(C) ships and automobiles provide transportation
(D) all things that provide transportation are vehicles

21. Verbal Reasoning Sample Question:
KILN:HEAT:
(a) stove : oven
(b) drain : pipe
(c) gate : fence
(d) lamp : light
You must determine the relationship
between the two top words and choose a
pair related in the same way.

22. Verbal Reasoning Sample Question:
In a different language, lin flom means blue
ball, sli flom ack means big blue wheel, and
plen ack means big star. In this language,
which is the word for wheel?
(A)flom
(B) sli
(C) lin
(D) plen

23. Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning is the ability to:
 apply mathematical concepts and
principles
 demonstrate flexibility in thinking
 Identify critical features in new
situations
 Make correct generalizations
 Compare mathematical expressions

24. Quantitative Reasoning
Sample Questions
A tank that holds 8,000 gallons of water is
only one-quarter full. How many gallons of
water are in the tank?
(A)1,000
(B) 2,000
(C) 4,000
(D)6,000

25. Quantitative Reasoning
Sample Questions
A = 12% of Paul’s salary B = 1/8 of Paul’s salary
Which statement is true?
(A) A is greater than B.
(B) B is greater than A.
(C) A and B are equal
(D) There is not enough information to tell
which is greater.

26. Multiple Choice Questions
The ERBs will offer you ONLY multiple choice questions.
Multiple choice questions require you to pick the best
answer from a list. If you do not know the answer right
away, work to eliminate choices in order to narrow down
your options.
How many states make up the United States of America?
a. 48
b. 52
c. 46
d. 50
You should circle "d" to show that 50 is the correct answer
choice for this question. Always read all the answers
before selecting one.
Eliminate 52 and 46, the highest and
lowest numbers. You’re left with 48 and
50. You know that there are 48
continental states, but what about
Alaska and Hawaii? You have to
choose 50, the most logical answer.

27. Multiple Choice-Practice Questions
1. What animal did Kate ride on her trip to Big Ranch?
(A) bull (B) horse (C) camel (D) elephant
2. What is the tropical island of Malupo best known for?
(A) bears (B) coconut trees
(C) glaciers (D) hot air balloon festivals
3. After putting on her sandals and hat, where did Margaret go?
(A) hiking the Ambien Trail
(B) rock climbing with her brother
(C) walking along Birdfield Beach
(D) bike riding by her house
Correct answers are on the next slide. See how you did.
Even though you haven’t read the passages that go along with
these questions, try to make the most intelligent choices.

28. Question Answers
1. What animal did Kate ride on her trip to Big Ranch?
(A) bull (B) horse (C) camel (D) elephant
Why: Camels and elephants are not at ranches. Bulls can be dangerous to ride. The
most likely answer is horse.
2. What is the tropical island of Malupo best known for?
(A) bears (B) coconut trees
(C) glaciers (D) hot air balloon festivals
Why: The key word is “tropical.” Bears and glaciers are not common on tropical
islands, however, coconut trees are. That would be a better choice than hot air balloon
festivals.
3. After putting on her sandals and hat, where did Margaret go?
(A) hiking the Ambien Trail (B) rock climbing with her
brother
(C) walking along Birdfield Beach (D) bike riding
Why: It would be uncomfortable wearing sandals while rock climbing, hiking, and bike
riding. The best choice would be walking along Birdfield Beach.

29. True/False Test Tips
Usually there are more true answers than false. Read
through each statement carefully, and pay attention to the
keywords.
 Keywords like "never, always, and every” mean that the
statement must be true all of the time. Usually these type
of keywords lead to a false answer.
 Keywords like "usually, sometimes, and generally“ mean
that if the statement can be considered true or false
depending on the circumstances. Usually these type of
keywords lead to a true answer.
If any part of the question is false, then the entire
statement is false but just because part of a statement is
true doesn't necessarily make the entire statement true.
If you are stumped, then guess. You have a 50% chance of
getting the right answer.

30. Strategies for Difficult Problems
 Eliminate options you know to be incorrect: On scratch
paper, mark words or alternatives in questions that
eliminate the option
 You should question options that are totally unfamiliar to
you
 "All of the above”: If you know two of three options seem
correct, "all of the above" is a strong possibility

31. More Strategies for Difficult Problems
 Number answers: Generally toss out the high and low
and consider the middle range numbers
 "Look alike options“ probably one is correct; choose
the best but eliminate choices that mean basically the
same thing, and thus cancel each other out
 If two alternatives seem correct, compare them for
differences, then refer to the question on the test to
find your best answer

32. If you are stumped and
HAVE to guess…
1. Choose the most general answer when other choices are
specific.
2. Choose the longest answer when others are much shorter.
3. Choose the answer with a middle value when other
answers are higher or lower.
4. Choose neither of the similar answers.
5. Choose one of two opposite answers.
6. Choose the answer most synonymous with key words in the
question or statement.
7. Count the number of blanks in fill-in questions or
statements.
8. Choose from among familiar answers. Avoid unknown
options.
9. Choose the most logical answer to you.
10.Avoid answers with absolutes in them. Examples are
always, never, every, none, all, only.)

33. You are almost done…
Reviewing Your Answers
If you have time, you should always go
back to review the answers you selected.
Don’t be afraid to change answers if you
feel they are wrong.
New research has shown that test-takers
that review and update some of their
answers tend to do better than those who
don’t. But be careful. You should only
change answers if you are confident that
the new answer is a better choice.

34. Think Positively
Studies have shown that those who think
positively do better on assessments. On the days
you are taking the ERBs, say to yourself “I will
do well. I am prepared. I know these things.”
If you repeat these in your mind over and over
before the test, you will perform better. Positive
thinking is very powerful!