Final MCAS prep 2015 Mr Heinegg Mr Ambrose
Final MCAS prep 2015 Mr. Heinegg, Mr. Ambrose, Ms. Hart Mr. Bowen-Flynn, Mr. Esner
How is MCAS Scored? 36 multiple choice questions (1 point each) = 36 points Questions based on reading passages in all major genres 4 open response questions (4 points each) = 16 points 1 -2 paragraph responses that use textual evidence 1 long composition (scored out of 10 by 2 readers) = 20 points 5 -7 paragraph essay about a book that you know well Total Points up for grabs = 72 points
MCAS scoring How many points do I need to pass the test? On the 2012 MCAS ELA test for 10 th grade, students needed to earn 41 of 72 possible points to get a Proficient score. On the 2012 MCAS ELA test for 10 th grade, students needed to earn 59 of 72 possible points to get an Advanced score. Score Recalibration 260 -280 = Advanced (again, at least 59 of 72 possible points) 240 -258 = Proficient (again, at least 41 of 72 possible points) 220 -238 = Needs Improvement (not technically “passing”) 200 -218 = Failing I think you can all achieve advanced!
Reading Comprehension Take a cursory glance at the selection What is the genre? Establish the length and the number of questions Take a good look at the open response question
Reading Comprehension Read the questions first Read the questions again! Eliminate obvious wrong answers Annotate your test Keep track of paragraph #s that’s exactly where the answers will be
Reading Comprehension For main idea questions, remember (logically) that the answer will be general and NOT a detail For vocabulary in context, plug in the possible answer and read it to yourself in your head;
Reading Comprehension For anything written by a person who is not a part of the Dead White Man posse, remember that the answer cannot cast the subject or the author in a negative light, i. e. the test is vanilla and wants to offend no one…
Open Responses Aim for 2 -3 paragraphs apiece Use T-GAS to start with a strong thesis T(itle) G(enre) A(uthor) S(ummary), e. g. “We will rock you” is a rock song by theatrical British rock band Queen that melts faces everywhere with its anthemic awesomeness. Prove that thesis! Use quotes from the selection Make sure you’ve made sense and argued well Clincher
Long Composition - Thursday The long comp is a dynamic character essay or a static character essay they vary how they get you to write, but historically it’s always been about a character from a work of literature, and YES YOU CAN USE A MOVIE, just underline the title.
Long Composition Have two-three movies in your head that you know cold, and know the protagonists cold Write the Identify the character paragraph before the test (today!) Aim for a bare minimum of 5 paragraphs
Long Composition Perhaps it will look like this… Often in works of literature, characters gain wisdom through experience. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who gains wisdom through experience. In a well-developed composition, (#1)Identify the character, (#2)describe how the character gains wisdom through experience, and (#3)explain how this wisdom relates to the work as a whole the first part is your Identify the Character paragraph (we’re writing this today) the second part can be several paragraphs (you needn’t stick to a 5 para. model) the third part means how does the lesson relate to the work’s OVERALL THEME (or message)
Long Composition Use your best vocabulary Underline your title Use T-GAS Avoid contractions Indent Use the dictionary to check your spelling Dot your i’s (you know who you are!)
Long Composition Make sure each body paragraph has a thorough structure Topic Example, Elaboration (3 x) Clincher
Final thoughts on this?
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