Seventh graders should hone their reading skills throughout the course of the school year.
The FCAT is Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test for students in grades 3 through 11. It is a criterion-referenced test that assesses a student's progress in reading, mathematics and science with relation to the Sunshine State Standards benchmarks. In the spring, students in grade 7 take the FCAT in reading and math. Seventh grade students can take specific steps to both prepare for and master the test.
Instructions
1. Become familiar with the format of the FCAT Grade 7 reading and math tests. Use "released" tests, or previously taken tests that are no longer being used, to get a feel for the content difficulty of the test questions. Pay attention to the types of questions that have low, moderate and high levels of difficulty. You can gain access to downloadable reading and math test books by visiting the Florida Department of Education website.
2. Find out if your school is using the FCAT Explorer program and if it has a FCAT Explorer School Administrator. If it does, check with the administrator about receiving a sign-in name and password to gain access to online math and reading resources. These can help you practice skills necessary to master the tests.
3. Stay focused during your all of your math and language arts classes. Complete your class assignments and ask questions if you don't understand the subject matter. The public middle schools in Florida use the Sunshine State Standards and your teachers are there to help prepare you for the FCAT assessments. Sign up for tutoring if you are having major trouble with a topic.
4. Use a clutter-free workspace in the home to complete your homework assignments. Some students work better after they have had a snack and a short nap, while others like to get right to their homework as soon as they arrive home. Ask your parent or caregiver to help you develop a homework routine that best reflects your particular learning style.
5. Read during your spare time. The FCAT Grade 7 will test your skills in reading comprehension. The more you read, the more likely you are to increase the cognitive abilities and reading skills needed to master the assessments. Read from a variety of materials including books, magazines, newspaper articles and online materials.
6. Use the "released" FCAT Grade 7 tests to practice under "test-like" conditions. Set a timer and complete each portion of the math and reading assessments in the correct length of time. Repeat this several times as the date for the actual test draws closer. Be sure to get good rest the night before the exam and eat a well-balanced breakfast in the morning. Stay calm, keep a positive attitude and do your best.
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