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Ace The Test

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Marcus Virgil

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Ace The Test Lesson Plan

Students will learn and apply essential test-taking strategies—such as time management, question analysis, and pacing—to boost confidence and performance on assessments.

Teaching test-taking strategies helps reduce anxiety, build time-management skills, and improve accuracy, empowering students to approach exams with confidence and achieve better results.

Audience

6th Grade Middle School Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive demonstration and practice

Materials

Projector Slides on Test Strategies, - Test-Taking Strategy Handout, - Sample Test Questions Worksheet, - Strategy Pacing Chart, - Test Reflection Sheet, - Classroom Timer, and - Whiteboard and Markers

Prep

Prepare Lesson Materials

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Test-Taking Strategy Handout and Sample Test Questions Worksheet for all students
  • Load and review Projector Slides on Test Strategies
  • Prepare the Strategy Pacing Chart on chart paper or whiteboard
  • Print and organize Test Reflection Sheet for end-of-lesson reflection
  • Set up classroom timer and ensure whiteboard markers are available

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain the lesson objective
  • Ask: “What makes you feel nervous during tests?”
  • Briefly list common challenges on the whiteboard
  • Introduce the idea of strategies as tools to manage those challenges

Step 2

Overview of Key Strategies

10 minutes

  • Display first slide from Projector Slides on Test Strategies
  • Discuss each strategy: time management, reading directions carefully, process of elimination, and educated guessing
  • Distribute Test-Taking Strategy Handout for reference
  • Encourage students to annotate the handout with examples or questions

Step 3

Guided Practice with Sample Questions

15 minutes

  • Hand out Sample Test Questions Worksheet
  • Model applying a strategy: read a question aloud, highlight keywords, eliminate wrong choices
  • Use the Strategy Pacing Chart on whiteboard to show how much time to allocate per section
  • Students work in pairs to practice two questions, applying at least one strategy each
  • Circulate and provide feedback on strategy use

Step 4

Independent Application

8 minutes

  • Students complete two additional questions from the worksheet on their own, timing themselves with the classroom timer
  • Prompt them to note which strategies they used on their handout
  • Collect worksheets for quick review

Step 5

Reflection and Assessment

7 minutes

  • Distribute Test Reflection Sheet
  • Ask students to rate which strategy helped most and write one goal for their next test
  • Invite a few volunteers to share their reflections
  • Summarize key takeaways and remind students to practice strategies before their next quiz
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Slide Deck

Ace The Test

Test-Taking Strategies for 6th Grade
45-Minute Lesson
Interactive Practice to Boost Confidence and Scores!

Welcome students! Introduce yourself and explain that today they will learn strategies to help them do their best on tests. Mention that these tools can reduce stress and improve performance.

Lesson Objectives

• Learn four essential test-taking strategies
• Practice applying strategies to sample questions
• Manage time effectively during a test
• Reflect on which techniques work best for you

Read through the objectives so students know what they will achieve by the end of class.

Why Strategies Matter

• Reduce test anxiety and stress
• Improve accuracy and avoid careless mistakes
• Manage time so you finish all questions
• Approach any test with confidence

Explain why using strategies matters. Highlight anxiety reduction and better accuracy.

Strategy #1: Time Management

• Allocate minutes per section before you begin
• Use a Strategy Pacing Chart
• Skip and mark tough questions; return later
• Keep an eye on the clock throughout

Discuss how pacing yourself can help. Show a sample pacing chart on the whiteboard.

Strategy #2: Read Directions Carefully

• Read instructions slowly and underlined key words
• Note whether you select one answer or multiple
• Circle action words: “compare,” “explain,” “choose”
• Don’t rush—make sure you know what’s asked

Emphasize the importance of reading every word in directions. Model underlining keywords.

Strategy #3: Process of Elimination

• Cross out choices you know are wrong
• Narrow options to increase odds of a correct guess
• Works for multiple choice, true/false, matching
• Write notes beside each option if helpful

Show a multiple-choice example. Demonstrate eliminating two wrong answers first.

Strategy #4: Educated Guessing

• Use clues from the question or other items on the test
• Eliminate unlikely options first
• Choose the best remaining answer if you don’t know for sure
• Avoid leaving questions blank when there’s no penalty

Explain that educated guessing is smarter than random guessing. Give an example.

Using the Strategy Pacing Chart

• List each section and its point value
• Assign minutes based on weight (e.g., more points = more time)
• Add buffer minutes for review and final check
• Post chart on your desk for quick reference

Display a blank pacing chart. Walk through allocating time for a 30-minute quiz with sections for reading, math, and writing.

Guided Practice

• In pairs, pick two sample questions from the worksheet
• Apply at least one strategy to each question
• Highlight keywords, eliminate options, and time yourselves
• Share your approach with your partner

Explain pair practice. Circulate to support and prompt strategy use.

Reflection & Next Steps

• Complete the Test Reflection Sheet
• Rate which strategy helped you most
• Write one goal for your next quiz
• Practice these tools before your next test

Introduce the reflection sheet and model setting a goal.

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Worksheet

Sample Test Questions

Multiple Choice

  1. What is the main purpose of reading test directions carefully?
    A. To save time
    B. To know exactly what to do
    C. To confuse yourself
    D. To finish faster



  1. Maria has 30 minutes to complete a quiz with 3 sections. If she spends equal time on each section, how much time does she spend per section?
    A. 5 minutes
    B. 10 minutes
    C. 15 minutes
    D. 30 minutes



  1. Which strategy involves crossing out obviously wrong options?
    A. Time management
    B. Educated guessing
    C. Process of elimination
    D. Reading directions



  1. If you’re unsure of an answer but there is no penalty for wrong answers, what should you do?
    A. Leave it blank
    B. Make an educated guess
    C. Skip it forever
    D. Ask the teacher



Short Answer

  1. Describe one way you can use a pacing chart during a test.






  1. Explain how underlining keywords in a question can help you answer correctly.






  1. Write two action words you might circle in directions and explain why they are important.






  1. List three strategies you’ll try on your next test and briefly describe each.






True/False

  1. Skipping hard questions and returning to them later is a time-management strategy.
    True _____ False _____



  1. Educated guessing means randomly choosing an answer when you don’t know.
    True _____ False _____



  1. There is always a penalty for wrong answers on every test.
    True _____ False _____



  1. Reading directions carefully can prevent careless mistakes.
    True _____ False _____



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Worksheet

Test-Taking Strategy Handout

Use this handout to record definitions, tips, and your own examples for each strategy. Refer back to it during practice and real tests!

Strategy #1: Time Management

  • Allocate specific time for each section before you begin.
  • Use a pacing chart to track minutes and stay on schedule.
  • Skip and mark tough questions; return to them later.
  • Leave a few minutes at the end to review your answers.

My Notes and Examples







Strategy #2: Read Directions Carefully

  • Read all instructions slowly and completely before answering.
  • Underline or circle key action words (e.g., compare, explain, choose).
  • Note if you need to select one answer or multiple.
  • Double-check that you’ve answered exactly what’s asked.

My Notes and Examples







Strategy #3: Process of Elimination

  • Cross out choices you know are incorrect.
  • Narrow down options to increase your odds of selecting the right answer.
  • Write brief notes or symbols beside options to remember why you eliminated them.
  • Works for multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions.

My Notes and Examples







Strategy #4: Educated Guessing

  • Look for clues within the question or in related items on the test.
  • Eliminate unlikely options first to improve your chances.
  • Choose the best remaining answer if you’re still unsure.
  • Never leave a question blank when there’s no penalty for guessing.

My Notes and Examples







Reflection and Goal Setting

Which strategy do you think will help you the most? Why?












Write one goal for your next test:







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Worksheet

Strategy Pacing Chart

Use this chart to plan how much time you will spend on each section of your test. Base your allocations on point values so you can finish on time and leave a few minutes for review.

Section NamePoint Value% of TotalAllocated Time (min)Time Used (min)
1. ____________________


______

______%

______

______

2. ____________________


______

______%

______

______

3. ____________________


______

______%

______

______

4. ____________________


______

______%

______

______

Review/BufferN/AN/A______

______

Total Time Available: ______ minutes




Reflection

  1. Which section felt easiest, and how long did it actually take compared to your allocation?






  1. Based on this chart, what would you adjust for your next test?






Tips:

  • Calculate % of total: (Section Points ÷ Total Points) × 100
  • Allocate time proportionally to each section’s weight
  • Always save a few minutes at the end for review and corrections
  • Keep this chart visible while you work through the test
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Worksheet

Test Reflection Sheet

Use this sheet to think back on how the strategies worked for you and set a goal for your next test.

1. Self-Rating of Strategies

On a scale of 1 (Not Helpful) to 5 (Very Helpful), rate each strategy and write a brief comment.

  1. Time Management (Rating 1–5: ___)
    Comments:






  1. Read Directions Carefully (Rating 1–5: ___)
    Comments:






  1. Process of Elimination (Rating 1–5: ___)
    Comments:






  1. Educated Guessing (Rating 1–5: ___)
    Comments:






2. Overall Reflection

  1. Which strategy helped you the most and why?











  1. What is one specific goal you will set for your next test?











Back to Lesson Plan | Strategy Handout | Sample Questions

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