Helpful Tips

General Writing Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11

General

• Learn how to answer each type of question.
• For multiple-choice questions, read each question carefully and think about the answer or solve the problem  before you select your answer from the choices provided.
• Answer questions you are sure about first. If a question seems to hard, skip it and go back to that question later.
• There is no penalty for guessing. Therefore, it is best to try to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct answers.
• Think positively. Some questions may seem hard, but you may be able to figure out how to respond if you read the questions carefully a second time.
• Be sure to completely fill in the answer bubbles in your answer document. Do not make any stray marks around the answer spaces.
• Check to make sure the test question number matches the answer choice number on the answer document.

• Read the prompt carefully.
• Plan your writing by organizing your ideas.
• Support your ideas by telling more about each event, reason, or argument.
• Use a variety of sentence structures.
• Choose words that help others understand what you mean.
• Review and edit your writing.

Writing⁺ Essay

• Read the prompt carefully and completely. The prompt gives you suggestions that may help you begin your writing.
• Use the planning sheet to list and organize your ideas for writing. Plan to include examples and details in your response. Budget the time you spend planning. The writing on the planning sheet will not be scored.
• You have 45 minutes to read, plan, and write your response. Only the writing on the lines provided in the writing folder will be scored. If you have time left, check your work and make corrections to improve your writing.

Writing⁺ Stimulus-Based

• Read the writing plan to determine the topic, subtopics, and details.
• Read the question carefully to be sure your understand what it is asking.
• Choose the answer you think is correct, and fill in the bubble that matches the answer.
• Review your work to make sure you have correctly followed the instructions.

Writing⁺ Sample-Based

• Read the sample draft and consider its strengths and weaknesses.
• Read the question and answer choices carefully.
• Look back at the sample draft to help you decide on the correct answer.
• Fill in the bubble that matched the answer you have selected.
• Review your work to make sure that you have correctly followed the instructions.

Writing⁺ Cloze-Based

• Carefully read the cloze sample and answer choices for each blank.
• Choose the answer that you think is the correct spelling, usage, or grammar to complete the blank.
• Fill in the bubble that matches the answer you have selected.
• Review your work to make sure that you have correctly followed the instructions.

Writing⁺ Stand-Alone

• Read the question and answer choices carefully.
• Decide which answer choice has correct capitalization or punctuation.
• Fill in the bubble that matches the answer you have selected.
• Review your work to make sure that you have correctly followed the instructions.

Grade 9 Reading

• Read the directions carefully. Ask your teacher to explain any directions you do not understand.
• Read the passages and questions very carefully. You may look back at a passage as often as you like.
• Answer the questions you are sure about first. If a question seems to difficult, skip it and go back to it later.
• Be sure to fill in the answer bubbles correctly. Do not make any stray marks around answer spaces.
• Think positively. Some questions may seem hard, but others will be easy.
• Check each answer to make sure it is the best answer for the question asked.
• Relax. Some people get nervous about tests. It's natural. Just do your best.

Grade 9 Reading (MC)

• Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the passage to find the correct answer to the question.
• Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure about details from the passage, go back  and read that part of the passage again.
• Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.
• Check your answer.

Grade 9 Mathematics (MC)

• Read the question carefully.
• Solve the problem first and then look for you answer among the choices given.
• If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem again if necessary.
• You are not requires to show your work for MC questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.
• Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.
• Check your work.

Grade 9 Mathematics (GR)

• Read the question carefully. Then use an appropriate strategy to answer the question.
• You are not required to show your work for GR questions; however. you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.
• Once you have answered the question, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly and match each other.
• If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number.

Grade 10 Reading (MC)

• Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the passage to find the correct answer to the question.
• Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the passage again.
• Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.
• Check your answer.

Grade 10 Reading (SR, ER)

• Read: Read the passage and then read the question. Some questions have several parts. Make sure you understand the question before you begin to write your answer. Look back at the passage as often as necessary to answer the question completely.
• Think: Plan your answer before you begin to write. Reread the parts of the passage that contain important information. Make sure that you include support from the passage in your answer.
• Explain: Explain your answer clearly in writing. If the question has several parts, answer every part of the question. In your answer, be sure to include details and information from the passage. You may not need to use all of the lines provided. This is okay as long as you provide a complete response.
• Be sure to keep your writing inside the box.
• It should take about 5 minutes to answer each SR question and 10-15 minutes for each ER question. Use as much of the recommended time as you need.
• Answer as much of the question as you can because partially correct answers may receive credit.
• When you have finished, reread the question and your answer to make sure your answer is clear, accurate, and thorough.

Grade 10 How to Answer the "Read, Think, and Explain" Questions

• Answers to the short- and extended-response questions can receive full or partial credit. You should try to answer these questions even if you are not sure of the correct answer. If a portion of the answer is correct, you will get a portion of the points.
• Allow about 5 minutes to answer the short "Read, Think, and Explain" questions and about 10 to 15 minutes to answer the long ones.
• Read the question carefully.
• If you do not understand the question, go back and review the passage.
• Think carefully and organize your thoughts before starting to write the answers.
• Write your answer on the lines provided in the Answer Book.
• Remember to include details and information from the passage in your answer.
• Use clear, concise language to explain your answer.
• Be sure to answer every part of the question.
• Reread the answer to make sure it says what you want it to say.

top

Grade 10 Mathematics (MC)

• Read the question carefully.
• Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the choices given.
• If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem again, if necessary.
• You are not required to show your work for MC questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.
• Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that matches your choice.
• Check your work.

Grade 10 Mathematics

• Learn how to answer each kind of question. FCAT Mathematics tests have four types of questions: multiple-choice, gridded-response, short-response, and extended-response.
• Read each question carefully and think about ways to solve the problem before you try to answer the question.
• Answer the questions you are sure about first. If a question seems too difficult, skit it and go back to it later.
• Be sure to fill in the answer bubbles correctly. Do not make any stray marks around answer spaces.
• Think positively. Some problems may seem hard to you, but you may be able to figure out what to do if you read each question carefully.
• When you have finished each problem, reread it to make sure your answer is reasonable.
• Relax. some people get nervous about tests. It's natural, Just do your best.

top

Grade 10 Mathematics (GR)

• Read the question carefully. Then solve the problem.
• You are not required to show your work for GR questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.
• Once you have solved the problem, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly and match each other.
• If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number.

Grade 10 Mathematics (SR, ER)

• Think: Read the question carefully. Think about and analyze what you are being asked to do. Make sure you understand the question before you begin your work.
• Solve: Begin solving the problem using an appropriate strategy. Be sure to determine what information is relevant to the problem and what is not.
• Explain: Solve the problem and write the solution or its explanation as directed. Take enough time to answer the question completely. Be sure to answer each part of the question.
• It should take about 5 minutes to answer each SR question and 10-15 minutes for each ER question. Use as much of the recommended time as you need.
• Be sure to keep your writing inside the box.
• "Think, Solve, Explain" questions require you to show your work.
• Answer as much of the question as you can because partially correct answers may receive credit.

Grade 10 How to Answer the "Think, Solve, Explain" Questions

• Allow about 5 minutes to answer the short "Think, Solve, Explain" questions and about 10 to 15 minutes to answer the long questions.
• Read the question carefully.
• If you do not understand the question, read and answer one part at a time.
• Be sure to answer every part of the question.
• Use numbers and other information from the problem to answer the question.
• Show your work. This shows that you understand how to solve the problem.
• Write your explanations in clear, concise language. Use only the space provided in the Sample Answer Book.
• Check your work to make sure the procedure and calculations are correct.
• Reread your explanation to make sure it says what you want it to say.

Grade 11 Science

• Learn how to answer each kind of question. The FCAT Science test for Grade 11 has four types of questions: multiple-choice, gridded-response, short-response, and extended response.
• Read each question carefully.
• Check each answer to make sure it is the best answer for the question.
• Answer the questions you are sure about first. If a question seems to difficult, skip it and go back to it later.
• Be sure to fill in the answer bubbles correctly. Do not make any stray marks around answer spaces.
• Think positively. Some questions may seem hard to you, but you may be able to figure out what to do if you reread the question carefully.
• When you have finished ach question, reread it to make sure your answer is reasonable.
• Relax. Some people get nervous about tests. It's natural. Just do your best.

Grade 11 Science (MC)

• Read the information provided and the question carefully.
• Study any pictures, charts, and/or tables presented.
• Look at the answer choices and determine the information and/or procedures needed to find the solution.
• Reread the question.
• Choose your answer and fill in the bubble to match your choice.
• Check your work.

Grade 11 Science (GR)

• Read the information provided and the question carefully. Then solve the problem.
• You are not required to show your work for GR questions; however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your calculations.
• Once you have solved the problem, write your answer in the boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly to match each other.
• If your answer will not fit in the response grid, check your work. Remember that you might need to round your answer or use another form of the number.

Grade 11 Science (SR, ER)

• Read: Read the question carefully. Study any pictures, charts, and/or tables. Think about what you are asked to do.
• Inquire: Recall what you know about the science that is presented. Remember what you have learned in class and/or by doing experiments. Determine which science theories and procedures apply to the situation presented.
• Explain: Respond to each part of the question. Formulate and write a complete answer using scientific terms and concepts.
• It should take about 5 minutes to answer each SR question and 10-15 minutes for each ER question. Use as much of the recommended time as you need.
• Be sure to keep your writing or drawings inside the box.
• Answer as much of the question as you can because partially correct answers may receive credit.
• When you have finished, reread the question and your answer to make sure your answer is clear, accurate, and thorough.

How to Answer the "Read, Inquire, Explain" Questions

• Allow about 5 minutes to answer the short "Read, Inquire, Explain" questions and about 10 to 15 minutes to answer the long ones.
• Read each question carefully.
• If you do not understand the question, read it again and try to answer one part at a time.
• Be sure to answer every part of the question.
• Use the information provided to answer the question.
• Write your explanations in clear concise language. Use only the space provided in the Sample Answer Book. Be sure to keep your writing or drawings inside the box.
• Reread your explanation to make sure it says what you want it to say.