Sophomore Testing Dates for 2010-2011 

• Monday, March 7, 2011:  Reading
• Tuesday, March 8, 2011:  Mathematics
• Wednesday, March 9, 2011:  Writing
• Thursday, March 10, 2011:  Science
• Friday, March 11, 2011:  Social Studies 

Check out the  attached bell schedule to use during the 2011 OGT week.

Study Island Website

   The Hilliard City School District subscribes to an OGT preparation site called Study Island.  This site has a lot of great resources, games and practice tests.  It’s easy and fun!   To access this site, go to StudyIsland.com.  

Login:  BRDxxxxx (xxxxx = your student ID number)
Password:  new (the first time; you will be prompted to change it)

Study Island Lessons

Based on your teachers’ analysis of past OGT test scores, the following are areas in which Bradley students have missed questions.  Be ready by reviewing the Study Island lessons provided below.  Then, log in to Study Island (see log-in instructions above) and take a practice test.

READING & WRITING

 SCIENCE

 SOCIAL STUDIES

MATH

More Helpful Sites to Be Prepared

Ohio Dept. of Education OGT site for students
Ohio Dept. of Education OGT site for parents
OGT Mentor
Ohio.gov

General Test Taking Tips

Strategies to Help Increase Success BEFORE the Test:

Tip #1- Make sure you get a good night of sleep the night before (at least 8 or 9 hours). Research has shown that when your brain does not receive enough sleep, the portion of your brain responsible for thinking and processing does not function as well as when it has had adequate sleep.

Tip #2- Eat a breakfast of carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates will provide immediate energy, and proteins can be broken down to sustain your energy level. If you do not eat, your brain will be busy sending electrical signals to your digestive system to stimulate hunger cues, like a growling stomach. This growling will be distracting to you of course, but your brain will also be distracted from its thinking processes.

Tip #3- Dress in layers on test day. Room temperatures are beyond your control, but if you have on layers, like a sweatshirt over top of a tee shirt, you can adjust to the temperature of the room. If the room is too hot, you can take off a layer. If the room is too cold, you can put a sweatshirt on. When you are too hot or cold, your brain will be busy sending messages to your body to begin sweating or shivering. Your brain should be focusing on the test, and yes, it can multi-task, but doing several things at once will cause some things to not be done well. For example, I can watch television and iron at the same time, but when I do, I sometimes burn holes in my clothes.

Tip #4- Bring extra pencils and wear a watch. Bring peppermints if you are allowed to. Peppermints have been proven to heighten alertness. If you find yourself, getting sleepy or not focusing, pop a mint in your mouth. It will wake up your brain.

Strategies to Help Increase Success DURING the Test:

Tip #1- Read all of the directions. Do you want to be the student who fails because you did not follow the instructions? I wouldn’t want to.

Tip #2- Stay relaxed and confident. Tell yourself that you are well prepared and are going to do well. If you feel anxious, take several slow deep breaths.

Tip #3- Read all passages and information that goes with the question. Take notes on the passage or circle key points made in the reading that you think may help you answer a question later. Pretend that you are making up the questions on that reading. What would you ask someone? Write down the answers to your questions off to the side of the reading.  And, when you are ready to answer the real questions, keep the following points in mind:

ALL TEST QUESTIONS

• Read and follow directions closely.
• Read each question carefully to make sure you understand what it is asking.
• Pay special attention to emphasized text. (bold, italics, uppercase, underlined)
• Study any pictures, charts, graphs, tables and captions presented.
• Answer all questions on the test. Do not leave any answer blank.
• Underline or circle important information.
• Remember ELL students have access to heritage language/English dictionary. Use the dictionary when you don’t know the meaning of a word.
• Budget time appropriately.
• Check answers carefully.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS  

• Read all answer choices before choosing your response.
• Think about the answer before selecting the answer from the choices.
• Look at the answer choices and determine the information and/or procedures needed to find the solution.
• Be sure to fill in the bubbles correctly. Do not make any stray marks around answer spaces.
• Change your first answer choice only if you are certain it is incorrect.
• When changing answers make sure to erase completely.
• Frequently check that you are filling in the appropriate bubble.
• Use approximately one minute for each item answered.

EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTIONS

• Read each part of the question carefully.
• Be sure to understand what the question is asking you to do.
• Recall what you know about the science that is presented.
• Think about what you have learned in class and/or by doing activities, practice or experiments.
• Determine the science principle and procedures that apply to the situation presented.
• Remember that multi-part questions require multi-part answers. Answer each part of the question.
• Formulate and write a complete answer using scientific terms and concepts.
• Clearly explain all relationships.
• Keep your writing and drawings inside the box.
• Show all work.
• Appropriately label charts, graphs, tables, and illustrations.
• Make sure answer is clear, accurate, and thorough.
• Use scientific terminology correctly.
• Avoid restating information provided in prompt and/or question.
• Use approximately 5 minutes to answer short response items.
• Use approximately 10-15 minutes to answer extended response items.
• Lists, bullets and one word answers may be used for specific parts of answers. Complete sentences are not necessary.