ATLAS Test-Taking Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When answering ATLAS reading questions, which strategy helps identify the correct answer for 'main idea' questions?
- Choose the answer that includes the most specific details
- Select the answer that is broad enough to cover the whole passage, not just one part (Correct answer)
- Pick the answer that mentions the first topic discussed
- Choose the answer with the most words
Correct answer: Select the answer that is broad enough to cover the whole passage, not just one part
The correct main idea answer on ATLAS covers the entire passage broadly, while wrong answers often focus only on a single detail or paragraph.
Question 2: How can students use the passage to answer vocabulary questions on ATLAS most effectively?
- Ignore the passage and use only what they already know
- Re-read the sentence containing the word and the surrounding sentences for context clues (Correct answer)
- Always choose the most common definition of the word
- Pick the answer with the most similar-sounding word
Correct answer: Re-read the sentence containing the word and the surrounding sentences for context clues
Re-reading the word in context and checking surrounding sentences for clues is the most reliable strategy for ATLAS vocabulary questions.
Question 3: What is the best strategy for handling ATLAS math problems with multiple steps?
- Try to solve in your head without writing anything down
- Break the problem into steps, label work clearly, and check each step before moving on (Correct answer)
- Skip multi-step problems and only answer single-step ones
- Always estimate without calculating exactly
Correct answer: Break the problem into steps, label work clearly, and check each step before moving on
Breaking multi-step ATLAS math problems into labeled steps and checking each step reduces calculation errors and allows partial credit on constructed-response items.
Question 4: On ATLAS, what should a student do after completing a section if time remains?
- Turn in the test immediately to be first done
- Review answers, especially flagged questions, and check for careless errors (Correct answer)
- Randomly change answers to try different choices
- Leave the room without reviewing
Correct answer: Review answers, especially flagged questions, and check for careless errors
Using remaining time to review flagged questions and check for careless mistakes is a proven test-taking strategy for improving ATLAS scores.
Question 5: Which strategy helps students avoid misreading ATLAS multiple-choice questions?
- Read only the answer choices before reading the question
- Read the question carefully, paying attention to key words like 'NOT,' 'EXCEPT,' or 'BEST' (Correct answer)
- Always assume the question is asking for the main idea
- Skip questions with the word 'NOT' in them
Correct answer: Read the question carefully, paying attention to key words like 'NOT,' 'EXCEPT,' or 'BEST'
Carefully reading for qualifier words like 'NOT,' 'EXCEPT,' and 'BEST' prevents students from choosing the opposite of the intended answer on ATLAS.
Question 6: What physical preparation strategy is recommended before taking the ATLAS assessment?
- Stay up very late studying the night before
- Get adequate sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time (Correct answer)
- Skip breakfast to avoid feeling sleepy
- Drink excessive caffeine to stay alert
Correct answer: Get adequate sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time
Physical readiness—sufficient sleep, proper nutrition, and punctuality—directly supports cognitive performance on high-stakes tests like ATLAS.
ATLAS Test-Taking Strategies 2
When answering ATLAS reading questions, which strategy helps identify the correct answer for 'main idea' questions?