CTBS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CTBS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The manager could not ________ the employee's chronic lateness any longer.'? → Acknowledge
2. Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct and avoids a comma splice? → The team practiced for hours, for they were determined to win the championship.
3. Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence? → She studied hard, so she passed the test.
4. When creating a study schedule, what is the most important first step? → Identify all tasks and their due dates
5. A student wants to write a narrative about a memorable event. Which element is MOST important to include? → A sequence of events told from a specific point of view
6. A rectangular garden is 15 feet long and 8 feet wide. What is the total area of the garden in square feet? → 120 square feet
7. Which strategy helps you remember information by connecting it to something you already know? → Making connections
8. Which type of writing is primarily used to convince the reader to agree with a particular viewpoint? → Persuasive writing
9. What is the perimeter of a rectangle with a length of 8 cm and a width of 5 cm? → 26 cm
10. A roller coaster car is stopped at the very peak of its highest hill. Which statement best describes the energy of the car at this moment? → It has maximum potential energy and minimum kinetic energy.
11. Which of the following best describes how an igneous rock is formed? → From the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
12. Which of the following is considered a fundamental civic responsibility of a U.S. citizen? → Staying informed about public issues
13. Put this medicine on your arm and rub it into your skin until it's invisible. It will inhibit the infection's attempt to spread. What does “inhibit” mean? → Block or slow down
14. If you need to find a synonym for the word 'fast,' which reference tool should you use? → Thesaurus
15. What does the prefix 'pre-' mean in the word 'preview'? → Before
16. If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all! Which word is a synonym of "curtail"? → Reduce
17. Which part of a dictionary entry tells you how to say a word aloud? → Pronunciation guide
18. A number line shows points at −3, 0, and 4. Which point is farthest from zero? → 4
19. Which sentence uses the most precise and vivid word choice? → The elderly professor shuffled along the cobblestone lane.
20. A writer wants to add more specific details to the sentence: 'The dog ran.' Which revision best improves the sentence? → The shaggy golden retriever sprinted across the dewy grass.
21. Which of the following fractions is equivalent to 5/8? → 25/40
22. Which type of reference source would you use to find information about the geography of South America? → Atlas
23. A geographer is pinpointing a location on a map. She identifies its position as 0° longitude. What is the specific name for this line? → The Prime Meridian
24. Which study strategy involves writing brief notes in your own words to help remember information? → Paraphrasing
25. A number pattern reads: 2, 4, 8, 16, ___. What is the next number? → 32
26. Which sentence correctly uses a colon? → I have one primary goal for this summer: to learn how to code in Python.
27. A writer is comparing two books. Which transition word BEST signals a contrast between them? → On the other hand
28. Which type of angle measures exactly 90 degrees? → Right angle
29. Which of the following sentences contains a spelling error? → It is a genuine privilige to address you all today.
30. What does it mean to 'skim' a passage? → Look quickly for main ideas and headings