It’s that time …..It’s that time …..

What can I do to What can I do to prepare for prepare for PSSA?PSSA?

What is in it for What is in it for me?me?

Where am I Where am I taking it?taking it?

What does it What does it look like?look like?

Preparation for the test…….Preparation for the test…….

• RelaxRelax

• Get a good night’s sleep, 8 hours or Get a good night’s sleep, 8 hours or moremore

• Be on time to classBe on time to class

• Bring something to read or do after Bring something to read or do after you are finished (NO headphones)you are finished (NO headphones)

• Look over the test-taking strategies Look over the test-taking strategies sheetsheet

What does PSSA reading What does PSSA reading look like?look like?

• You will have 3 sections of the reading You will have 3 sections of the reading test.test.

• Each section has 2 or 3 storiesEach section has 2 or 3 stories• The story will be followed by the The story will be followed by the

following;following;– 5 to 10 multiple choice questions & a prompt 5 to 10 multiple choice questions & a prompt

or or– 5 to 10 multiple choice questions5 to 10 multiple choice questions– The prompt may have multiple parts – be The prompt may have multiple parts – be

sure to answer all partssure to answer all parts

REMEMBERREMEMBER

• The reading prompt is scored The reading prompt is scored differently than the writing promptdifferently than the writing prompt– Points are earned on a 3 point scalePoints are earned on a 3 point scale– You should;You should;

• Check capitalization and punctuationCheck capitalization and punctuation• Use and explain examples from the storyUse and explain examples from the story• Answer all parts of the question being asked Answer all parts of the question being asked

– remember that there may be PARTS A, B, – remember that there may be PARTS A, B, and Cand C

What does PSSA math What does PSSA math look like?look like?

There are 3 math sections on PSSA.There are 3 math sections on PSSA. The first 2 sections contain 20 to 25 The first 2 sections contain 20 to 25

multiple choice questions and 2 open-multiple choice questions and 2 open-ended questions.ended questions.

Each open-ended question contains a Each open-ended question contains a two or three part answer.two or three part answer.

USE THE FORMULA SHEET!USE THE FORMULA SHEET!

REMEMBER for MATH….REMEMBER for MATH….

You must answer the open-ended You must answer the open-ended question by showing your work and question by showing your work and explaining what you did in writing. Points explaining what you did in writing. Points are earned for the work you show and are earned for the work you show and your explanation.your explanation.

Even if you are stuck try to put something Even if you are stuck try to put something down. down.

No answer = no points!No answer = no points!

Test Taking Tips

• Guess the answer before you look at the options.

• Read the questions before you read the passage.

• “All of the above” is a good guess

• “None of the above” is usually wrong

• When you have no clue guess B or C on an answer that has A, B, C, D

• Guess the longer of those 2 answers

• Guess consistently, if you choose B, stick with it!

Clue/ Key Words

• Words like• None• All• Never• Always

• Make a statement FALSE

• Words like • Frequently• Usually• Sometimes• Generally

• Make a statement TRUE

Thank YouThank You

Many of you have worked hard to Many of you have worked hard to improve and learn for this test. improve and learn for this test.

Thanks!Thanks!

Good Luck!Good Luck!

We appreciate your efforts!We appreciate your efforts!