The 240 Tutoring Testing Approach
Did you know that last year 21,000 test takers failed their exam by 10 points or less?
That’s only a matter of 3-5 questions!
That’s another lock-out period before they can re-test.
That’s more hard-earned money spent on testing fees.
That’s another lost opportunity to interview for a teaching job.
So, now you’re thinking… how can I avoid that failure?
When you take your test, you MUST have a plan of action for answering each question.
We can’t emphasize this enough.
We know you are busy studying content, so we created a plan for you:
The 240 Tutoring Testing Approach
This will help you eliminate incorrect answers, understand each question, and prepare you mentally and physically for the test.
ΩÅLOWe are going to walk you through some studying and test-taking techniques that will help you increase your score by up to 10 points.
Mental and Physical Prep
FIRST: Remember Your Goal
Teacher tests are pass/fail. No future employer sees your score. Your goal is not to get a perfect score, but a passing score. To be successful on the exam, you will need to answer between 60% and 70% of the questions correctly.
2-3 Months Before
Going into the exam knowing you have prepared yourself is the single most important thing. Confidence – a product of quality preparation – will help you pass the exam.
Try your best to begin preparing 60-90 days before the exam. This will help you identify what you don’t already know and give you plenty of time to work on those areas.
The 240 Tutoring Study Guides break your exam down by sections and then by concepts. You can plan out your study time to help build your confidence in each section.
The Week Before
FACT: Studies show that individuals who eat a balanced diet the week before an exam achieve higher test scores. Try to avoid fast food, greasy meals, and sugary foods.
The Night Before
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
It is not helpful to cram the night before. The best way to ensure a good night’s sleep before the test is to spend time studying 60-90 days before the exam. You’ll be able to relax and rest better before the test, confident that you know what you need to pass instead of panicking. Do not sacrifice sleep in order to study.
If you want to review the night before, that’s great. We recommend reviewing flashcards to keep key terms fresh in your mind.
An example flashcard from a 240 Tutoring Study Guide
The Morning Breakfast
Stick to your normal daily routine as much as possible.
Do not drink an extra cup of coffee. The added caffeine will wear off and leave you feeling drowsy.
Avoid sugary breakfasts. A healthy breakfast with both carbs and protein, like oatmeal and eggs, is great because it will digest slowly.
The Exam: Don’t Panic!
If at any point during the exam you begin to feel overwhelmed, take a five-minute break to relax. Activities that clear your mind, such as deep breathing, meditation or prayer, have proven helpful to calm and refocus individuals.
A calm mind is a clear mind. Clear minds pass tests.
If you do panic, it’s ok and normal. Pause and try your best to collect yourself before continuing the exam.
