Though performances on STAAR assessments no longer dictate whether students advance to the next grade or graduate from high school, proper test preparation and mastery of testtaking techniques are critical to doing well on the STAAR tests. Strategies for success include: Knowing what to expect.
Being comfortable with the length and structure of the tests. Having the right mindset and
attitude.
Strategy One: Be Prepared for
Content
The number one test-taking strategy for students taking STAAR tests is to be prepared and know the material covered on the tests.
These assessments measure the skills and knowledge students have acquired in their classes, so reviewing that material in advance is important. Along with going back over lessons and notes, STAAR-specific test-prep resources are an excellent way to refresh knowledge.
Study.com's STAAR assessment study, prep and practice guides, for example, may be used as a supplemental resource for teachers preparing for the TExES exam or for parents and students looking to prepare at home in advance of the tests. These online courses feature short lessons, assessment quizzes and practice tests.
Strategy Two: Become An Experienced Test Taker When students understand what it is like to take the test, they eliminate the anxiety of fearing the unknown. Practicing ahead of test day, therefore, is an important testtaking strategy. The Texas Education Agency (TEA offers sample questions and test forms, along with answer keys, for all STAAR as-sessments. They may be downloaded on the TEA website. Once they understand the types of questions they'll be asked on each test, students may also benefit from brushing up on best practices for answering those questions. Students should be prepared for multiple-choice and free-response questions (which better reflect typical classroom test questions).
The STARR will also contain cross-curricular informational passages that reference content aligned to the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) for other subject areas, but students will only be scored on their understanding of English Language Arts and Reading TEKS. The RLA assessments on the exam will assess both reading and writing and include an extended constructed response or essay at every grade level.
As a part of the all-online format of the STARR exam, students will have the ability to click on advanced vocabulary words for definitions or simplified synonyms, mirroring the classroom experience where a student might ask a teacher for clarification during an exam. The exam also has a text-to-speech feature, where students can click on the question and answers to have them read aloud. There is also an embedded calculator for 3rd to 8th grade math, which removes the distraction of students using their own calculators, realizing it doesn't have enough batteries, or forgetting one altogether.
Strategy Three: Be Relaxed, Comfortable and Confident Content knowledge and testtaking experience will only go so far if a student is not mentally and physically prepared for their tests. For this reason, these tips are important for all students during STAAR test periods: Sleep. Because tests are four or five hours long, it's important to be well-rested. Eat Right. Eat a balanced breakfast and bring healthy snacks for test day. Don't have too much sugar or caffeine to keep energy levels up and avoid crashing. Take Breaks. A STAAR test is not a race. Students must go at their own pace and take breaks.
Dress Comfortably. Make sure to dress in layers in clothes that are comfortable for long periods.
Be Confident. A positive attitude goes a long way. Students who stress about tests may want to review this short lesson on how to beat test anxiety. Plan a Treat. Give yourself (or your student) something to look forward to. Plan something special -- a movie, favorite dinner, or other outing to celebrate when testing is finished.