Right now in the United States theres a thing called standardized testing. There's Benchmark, MAP, MSP, End of Course, and the all powerful SATs. When I say the all powerful I put much sarcasm in that. Everyone hates these tests. There hard on the mind and extremely boring. This week and last week I have had to take the MSP. The tests I have been taking was two writing, both essays one to persuade and another to explain. The reading, and the math. Writing the essays is the worst you have six hours to write one essay. You are doing the same thing over and over. Double checking, triple checking. Making sure you have all your spelling and grammar correct. (Which I have trouble with.) The worst is you have to sit in these uncomfortable school chairs, that by the way do not form to your natural body shape. The stress of the test makes it hard to remember what you have learned that was suppose to prepare you for the test. The MSP is my least favorite because they are done for third grade till high school. Also they are so strict and time consuming. I feel that there are better things to be learning then the standards you have to know for the MSP. In my math class I will be taking the End of Course, this year. I have never taken this test before. Already in April we started to prepare for it even though the test is in early June. I do not know much about this test except that it is stressful and not fun. Just like every other standardized test there is.
Students are not the only ones who suffer from these tests. Teachers do a fair bit of suffering from them to. This ecard on the right is very close to the truth. Except for the blood part it is true. If teachers have a class that did not pass the test they took the district could fire them. The thing is it is not the teachers faults. There are some teachers that are amazing at what they do but because of how the test is set up the students cannot pass. Some kids are not good test takers but they are good at the subject.
Tips:
So test taking is hard and mentally draining here are some tips to help.
- Do short answer first, they use more brain power and are harder so if you just get them over with you will have the easy multiple choice.
- On reading tests read questions first then try to answer them if you can, then if there are still some left unanswered read passage
- For writing tests always do a brainstorm then organize your thoughts so you can write.
- After you have finished test put your pencil down and rest then check test one more time so you can catch any mistakes. Unless you are like the kid in the picture below this just try to finish the test.
Thanks so much for reading my blog and I hope you like this post. Comment on how you prepare for big tests or strategies you use when you are just are burnt out and don't want to continue. Also subscribe so you can get my posts on you email!!!
