TAKS tests next week for 5th graders; Saturday tutorials April 2

Fifth graders will take the TAKS tests in math on Monday, April 4, and in reading on Tuesday, April 5.

The Texas Education Agency has developed Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) study guides to help students strengthen the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) that are taught in class and tested on TAKS.

Here are some TAKS-taking tips, courtesy of the Hempstead Independent School District website:

• Physical Readiness

1. Get a good night's sleep.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast.
3. Wear comfortable clothing, as long as you follow school dress code.
4. Do not forget to take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
5. If you are supposed to wear glasses or contacts, wear them.

• Reduce Anxiety

1. Be on time to school.
2. Pace yourself during the test. Remember you have as much time as you need.
3. Don't worry about the whole test at once-tackle questions one at a time.
4. Don't "score" yourself as you take the test.
5. Don't look for letter patterns of correct answers.
6. Don't panic if you have a memory lapse or mental block. This is normal. Go on to the next item and come back to the trouble spot later.
7. Don't expect to know the answer to every question. Expect some items to be too hard. Just do your best.
8. Avoid unnecessary clock-watching, but do be aware of the time.
9. Ignore other test takers.
10. Think positively.
11. Don't give up!

• Follow Directions

1. Read all directions carefully.
2. Do the sample questions even though you think you understand.
3. If you don't completely understand what to do, don't hesitate to ask for clarification.
4. Sometimes you will need to reread the directions or the questions to be sure you are answering what is being asked.
5. Don't assume that all the questions in the same section follow the same pattern. One question may ask for a true statement, the next may ask which statement is not true.
6. Don't guess wildly on a question. Try to eliminate one or two choices to a question. If you guess, make an "educated guess."
7. Make sure that your answers are on the answer document.

Good luck students!

Don't forget that Saturday tutorials are from 9 a.m. to noon, April 2.