Test-Taking Strategies Flashcards

When taking the ATLAS assessment, what should a student do first after receiving the test?

Answer: Skim through the test to get a sense of its length and question types before starting

Skimming the test first helps students manage time effectively by understanding how many questions and passages they need to complete on ATLAS.

Which strategy is most effective when a student encounters a difficult multiple-choice question on ATLAS?

Answer: Use process of elimination to rule out clearly wrong answers

Process of elimination improves the odds of selecting the correct answer by first removing options that are clearly incorrect.

On ATLAS extended-response questions, what is a key strategy for maximizing your score?

Answer: Restate the question, provide a clear answer, and support it with specific text evidence

For ATLAS extended-response items, restating the question, giving a clear answer, and citing specific evidence from the text earns the most points on the rubric.

How should students manage their time when an ATLAS reading section has multiple long passages?

Answer: Divide time equally among passages and move on if stuck

Dividing time evenly across passages and not getting stuck on one section is the recommended ATLAS time-management strategy.

What should students do when they are unsure about an answer on ATLAS but must make a selection?

Answer: Make their best educated guess after eliminating wrong answers, since there is no penalty for guessing

ATLAS does not penalize wrong answers, so students should always make an educated guess rather than leaving items blank.

Which test preparation habit best improves ATLAS performance over time?

Answer: Practicing regularly with released ATLAS sample questions and reviewing mistakes

Regular practice with released ATLAS items and careful review of errors is the most evidence-based strategy for long-term score improvement.