ITBS PreparationITBS Preparation

Test taking StategiesTest taking Stategies

ITBS stands for Iowa Test of Basic ITBS stands for Iowa Test of Basic SkillsSkills

All 8All 8thth graders get to take the ITBS. graders get to take the ITBS.

The ITBS test consists of 5 parts:The ITBS test consists of 5 parts:– Vocabulary and Reading ComprehensionVocabulary and Reading Comprehension– Language ArtsLanguage Arts– Social StudiesSocial Studies– ScienceScience– MathMath

Each section is 30 minutes long.Each section is 30 minutes long.

ITBS is not an I.Q. Test. You are not ITBS is not an I.Q. Test. You are not expected to know everything. You expected to know everything. You can not fail this test, but it is very can not fail this test, but it is very important that you do your very best.important that you do your very best.

ITBS scores stay in your file – they ITBS scores stay in your file – they reflect what you have learned up to reflect what you have learned up to this point.this point.

They are used to qualify you for They are used to qualify you for awards and classes in junior high and awards and classes in junior high and high school.high school.

You need to eat a good breakfast each You need to eat a good breakfast each morning that you are testing (and morning that you are testing (and good lunch if it’s an afternoon class). good lunch if it’s an afternoon class). It has been proven that you do better It has been proven that you do better on tests when you have energy from on tests when you have energy from food.food.

Get adequate sleep the night before.Get adequate sleep the night before.

Remember that your first response is Remember that your first response is usually correct. Do not change an usually correct. Do not change an answer unless you are absolutely answer unless you are absolutely sure the second answer is correct.sure the second answer is correct.

If you do change your mind, erase If you do change your mind, erase completely.completely.

Come to class prepared with a number Come to class prepared with a number 2 pencil. You may also bring a 2 pencil. You may also bring a calculator on Tuesday, September calculator on Tuesday, September 22.22.

Some test questions may be very Some test questions may be very difficult. It is possible that you will difficult. It is possible that you will not know how to do the problem. In not know how to do the problem. In this case, just skip to the next this case, just skip to the next problem and then go back, as time problem and then go back, as time allows, at the end of the test. If you allows, at the end of the test. If you still have no idea at least guess. Do still have no idea at least guess. Do not leave any questions blank unless not leave any questions blank unless you run out of time.you run out of time.

This is a timed test. Do not take too This is a timed test. Do not take too much time on any one problem.much time on any one problem.

STAY FOCUSED! Don’t let anyone STAY FOCUSED! Don’t let anyone around you distract you while you around you distract you while you are working.are working.

Bring a book to read if you finish early.Bring a book to read if you finish early.

Mark your boxes dark enough so that Mark your boxes dark enough so that the machine can read it when it’s the machine can read it when it’s scored. (You can go back and darken scored. (You can go back and darken them in when you are all finished.)them in when you are all finished.)

Don’t be uptight – you are only Don’t be uptight – you are only competing with yourself.competing with yourself.

Please be in attendance during test Please be in attendance during test weeks. Make ups are difficult and weeks. Make ups are difficult and take away from your regular classes, take away from your regular classes, causing more homework.causing more homework.

You are representing RMJH as well as You are representing RMJH as well as yourself – so do your VERY BEST – yourself – so do your VERY BEST – that’s all that we ask.that’s all that we ask.