Strategies for the CAHSEE WHAT IS THE CAHSEE

Strategies for the CAHSEE

WHAT IS THE CAHSEE? The CAHSEE is a test that measures your mastery of 9 th and 10 th grade math and English standards. Tuesday March 12 -English Wednesday March 13 -Math You must score a 350 to pass. You must score a 380 or higher to be Proficient

WHAT IS ON THE CAHSEE ENGLISH PORTION? There are 80 questions, but only 72 will count. The most tested standards are grammar and reading comprehension. Focus on those areas. There It is one essay is out of 4 points It counts for 20% of the CAHSEE

WITH A PARTNER… Discuss: Which portions of the CAHSEE do you think will be the most challenging? Why? Which portions of the exam will be the easiest for you? (2 minutes)

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE AN ANSWER: Read the question first Underline and/or circle key words Look for the answer and supply your own before looking at the answer choices Answer every question!

KEY WORDS IN QUESTIONS always, never, none, except, most, least Circle these words, they are the ones missed most often.

HOW TO FIND THEME Many questions will ask for theme or the author’s message. This is located in the first paragraph and the last paragraph. In a poem, it is usually located at the end of the poem.

DISCUSS WITH A PARTNER: What are some strategies for locating a theme within the first/ last paragraphs? (3 minutes)

GRAMMAR QUESTIONS Trust your ear, if it doesn’t sound right then it probably isn’t right. Mark on the test and correct the sentence as you go. If more than one verb is used, make sure it is in the same tense. (past, or present etc. )

GRAMMAR Its vs it’s It’s=it is Its= possessive Their, they’re, there They’re=they are There=place (over there) Their=possessive

THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater. Guess only if you have no other option.

HOW TO ELIMINATE? Pick the longest answer. If 2 choices are very similar, choose neither. If 2 choices are opposite, choose 1. The most general answer is frequently the right answer. Talk with a partner, do either of you have any other elimination

ARE YOU STILL NOT SURE? If you absolutely have no idea, choose either B or C since they have a slight statistical advantage.

PACE YOURSELF Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then move on. Answers the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped.

GOING BACK TO THOSE YOU SKIPPED In the end, review the questions that you guessed on or those you skipped. As you go back through, do not change all answers. Remember: Your first guess is usually right. As Walt Whitman once said, “Trust thyself”!

FOR THE ESSAY PRINT, do not write in cursive Use the ABCDs (Plan your essay) Re-read your essay and lip the words Write using a dark pencil Do NOT write too small Always title your essay

DISCUSS WITH A PARTNER Review each step of the ABCD writing process. Discuss any areas of confusion. (3 minutes)

COME PREPARED Get a good night’s sleep Eat breakfast Arrive early to school Bring food to snack on, but nothing too messy Bring ID card Bring water or a flavored drink Bring 3 -4 sharpened pencils and a good eraser.

THE DEATH GRIP If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil. Relax the grip and give those muscles a break.

FINAL TIPS Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks. Double-check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you haven’t gotten on the wrong number.

GOOD LUCK! I know you will all do an AMAZING job as long as you give the exam your very best effort. No matter what results you get, be proud of your effort and your hard work. Remember, I have faith in you!!! <3

EXIT SLIP- 1/2 SHEET OF PAPER Write a narrative that walks your reader through your preparation process the night before and the morning of the CAHSEE. (5 sentences min. )