How to Use This Guide HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE Let’s get started! ✽ Get it together! This guide Pen or pencil Highlighter Paper ✽ Gather materials Classroom notebooks Textbooks ✽ Study space Find a comfortable to sit . Use good lighting . Time to focus—no TV, games, or phones! ✽ Study time Set aside some time after school . Set a goal—how long are you going to study? Remember—you cannot do this all at one time . Study a little at a time every day . ✽ Study buddy Work with a friend, sister, brother, parent—anyone who can help! Ask questions—it is better to ask now and get answers . Make sure you know what you need to do—read the directions before you start . Ask your teacher if you need help . ✽ Test-taking help Read each question and all of the answer choices carefully . Be neat—use scratch paper . your work! Preparing for Taking trial Trial
Make observations Recall information Recognize formulas, properties, patterns, processes Know vocabulary, definitions Know basic concepts Perform one-step processes Translate from one representation to another • Identify relationships Tell who, what, when, or where Find List Define Identify; label; name Choose; select Compute; estimate Express as Read from data displays Order Level 2—Basic Reasoning Level 2 includes some thinking that goes beyond recalling or repeating a response . A Level 2 “describe” and/or “explain” item would require that you go beyond a description or explanation of information to describe and/or explain a result or “how” or “why .” Skills Demonstrated Question Cues learned information to abstract and real-life situations Use methods, concepts, and theories in abstract and real-life situations Perform multi-step processes Solve problems using required skills or knowledge (requires more than habitual response) Make a decision about how to proceed Identify and organize components of a whole Extend patterns Identify/describe cause and effect Recognize unstated assumptions; make inferences Interpret Compare or contrast simple concepts/ideas Apply Calculate; solve Complete Describe Explain how; demonstrate Construct data displays Construct; draw Analyze Extend Connect Classify Arrange Compare; contrast of Knowledge 3—Complex Reasoning Level 3 requires reasoning, using evidence, and thinking on a higher level than Level 1 and Level 2 . You will go beyond explaining or describing “how and why” to justifying the “how and why” through reasons and evidence . Level 3 items often involve making connections across time and place to explain a concept or a “big idea .” Skills Demonstrated Question Cues trial
Solve an open-ended problem with more than one correct answer Create a pattern Generalize from given facts Relate knowledge from several sources Draw conclusions Make predictions Translate knowledge into new contexts Compare and discriminate between ideas Assess value of methods, concepts, theories, processes, and formulas Make choices based on a reasoned argument Verify the value of evidence, information, numbers, and data Plan; prepare Predict Create; design Ask “what if?” questions Generalize Justify; explain why; support; convince Assess Rank; grade Test; judge Recommend Select Conclude Level 4—Extended Reasoning Level 4 requires the complex reasoning of Level 3 with the addition of planning, investigating, applying deeper understanding, and/or developing that will require a longer period of time . You may be asked to connect and relate ideas and concepts within the content area or among content areas in order to be at this highest level . The Level 4 items would be a show of evidence—through a task, a product, or an extended response—that the higher level demands have been met . Skills Demonstrated Question Cues Analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources Examine and explain alternative perspectives across a variety of sources Describe and illustrate how common themes are found across texts from different cultures mathematical models to illuminate a problem or situation Design a mathematical model to inform and solve a practical or abstract situation Combine and synthesize ideas into new concepts Design Connect Synthesize Apply concepts Critique Analyze Create Prove