During The Test

• Bring at least two pens/pencils with good erasers, calculator with enough batteries and any other resources that your instructor allows you to.
  

• Bring a watch to the test with you so that you can better pace yourself.
  

• Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test and try to stay relaxed, if you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths to relax.
  

• Keep your eyes on your own paper, you don't want to appear to be cheating and cause unnecessary trouble for yourself.
  

• When you first receive your test, do a quick survey of the entire test so that you know how to efficiently budget your time.
  

• Never assume that you know what the directions say. For example, some questions may have more than one correct answer.
  

• Listen to or read ALL of the directions BEFORE starting. It won't matter if you get the answer correct, if you didn't do it in the manner the directions stated.
  

• Do the easiest problems first; don't stay on a problem that you are stuck on especially when time is a factor.
  

• Do the problems that have the greatest point values first.
  

• Don't rush, pace yourself, read the entire question and look for keywords.
  

• Ask the instructor for clarification if you don't understand what they are asking for on the test.
  

• Write legibly, if the grader can't read what you wrote they'll most likely mark it wrong.  Be sure you don't lose points on messy or duplicated bubbled answers.
  

• If you don't know an answer skip it, go on with the rest of the test and come back to it later, maybe on another part of the test there'll be something that will help you out with that question.
  

• Read the entire question and all of the answers BEFORE you answer. Especially if it says pick all of the correct answers, the BEST answer or one of the answers is "all of the above". These are sort of tricky. 

• Always read the whole question carefully, don't make assumptions about what the question might be.
  

• Use process of elimination. If you don't know the correct answer right away or, you are torn between two answers, then eliminate the ones that you know, definitely are NOT the answer, then work your way back.
  

• Don't be afraid to guess. If you have a feeling that you know the right answer, then use your instinct. Chances are, you are right. And it is better than leaving it blank!
  

• Answer easy questions first- Answering easier questions may jog your memory about useful facts. You may also come across information that can help you with other questions.
  

• Answer every question- Unless there's a penalty for wrong answers, it can't hurt to try.
  

• Identify key words- This will help you focus on the main idea of challenging questions.
  

• Pay close attention to wording. Some words like NO, NOT, NEVER, and ALWAYS, can change the whole meaning to the question.
  

• Use all of the time you're given.
  

• Relax. Have confidence in your ability and what you have learned and studied!
  

• Don't worry if others finish before you; focus on the test in front of you.
  

• When you are finished, if you have time left look over your test, make sure that you have answered all the questions, only change an answer if you misread or misinterpreted the question because the first answer that you put is usually the correct one. Watch out for careless mistakes and proofread your essay and/or short answer questions.
  

• Double check to make sure that you put your first and last name on the test.

Mattole Valley Charter School
210 Lindley Road
Petrolia, California 95558
707-629-3634 (Admissions & Records)
707-445-2660 (Administration)