You’ve just landed in the place to find the best reading test-taking strategies for elementary students.
In order to excel in reading assessments, it’s important for students to develop effective test-taking strategies.
By equipping your students with valuable techniques, you will empower them to approach reading tests and exams with less anxiety and more confidence which will maximize their performance.
So as you plan test prep lessons, include these tried-and-true reading tips and strategies that will help your elementary students become successful readers no matter the type of exam they’re taking.
Reading Test-Taking Strategies for Elementary Students
Keep reading to discover the best reading test strategies for elementary students that make them proficient readers!
1. Read Passages, Questions, and Answer Choices Carefully.
One of the most important test-taking strategies for elementary students is to read passages, questions, and answer choices carefully.
Taking the time to read and understand the passage thoroughly ensures that students have a clear grasp of the information presented.
Similarly, carefully reading the questions ensures that students know exactly what is being asked of them.
2. Cross Out Obviously Incorrect Answers.
Teaching elementary students to cross out obviously incorrect answers is an effective strategy to improve their reading test-taking skills.
By crossing out options that are clearly unrelated or illogical, students can focus their attention on the remaining choices and make a more informed decision.
3. Think About the Level of Question Being Asked.
Teach your elementary students to consider the level of the question being asked when approaching a reading test.
Questions vary in difficulty, from literal comprehension to inferential and analytical thinking.
By recognizing the level of the question, students should adjust their approach accordingly.
See the 4 levels of questions plus tips on how to answer them.
4. Answer All Questions.
Of all the reading test strategies for elementary students, this one is arguably the easiest to implement.
Attempting every question gives students a chance to earn partial credit or get lucky with their guesses.
So encourage students to make an educated guess if they are uncertain about the answer.
Teaching them to eliminate obviously wrong options and use their knowledge of the topic can increase the likelihood of a correct guess.
Remind students that there is no penalty for guessing.
5. Use “Thinking Strategies” While Reading.
Incorporating “thinking strategies” while reading is an effective technique for improving comprehension.
This approach involves teaching students to actively engage with the text, such as predicting what will happen next, making connections to prior knowledge, and visualizing the content.
See the 7 key reading thinking strategies.
By employing thinking strategies, students enhance their comprehension, critical thinking, and memory retention which will all help to increase their reading scores.
6. Prove Answers With Evidence From Text or Prior Knowledge.
Encouraging elementary students to support their answers with evidence from the text or their prior knowledge is a valuable test-taking strategy.
By requiring students to justify their responses, teachers promote careful reading and critical thinking.
By backing up their answers with textual evidence or relevant background knowledge, students demonstrate their comprehension and enhance their overall test performance.
7. Reread Confusing Parts for Clarity.
When faced with confusing sections in a reading test, elementary students should reread those parts for clarity.
By rereading these sections, students gain a better understanding of the content, identify important details, and grasp the context more accurately.
8. Use Context Clues.
Context clues are hints or information provided within the passage that help students infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases.
Encouraging students to pay attention to the surrounding words, phrases, or sentences can provide valuable context and assist them in deducing the intended meaning.
By using context clues, students will make more accurate interpretations and select the most appropriate answer choice.
If you have access, see this BrainPop video about context clues.
Final Thoughts On Reading Test Strategies for Elementary Students
Mastering test-taking strategies is a valuable skill that significantly impacts an elementary student’s performance in reading assessments.
By practicing these reading test-taking strategies for elementary students and integrating them into test preparation routines, students will become more attentive readers who approach questions with clarity.
This in turn will improve their test scores and overall reading comprehension skills.
With consistent practice and guidance, elementary students will become adept at applying these reading strategies and unlock their full potential as successful readers and test takers.