Taking a Standardized Test

Why should you care about the EOC?

New Jersey End of Course Biology exam has been renamed to the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (BCT). Because Biology is becoming a graduation requirement.

This means if you do not pass the test you will be unable to graduate!!!

HOW CAN I PREPARE MYSELF TO TAKE THE NJBCT?

Before the test…

Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. Start your day off with a good breakfast so that you have plenty

of energy to take the test.

Before the test…

Relax. You will think more clearly if you are relaxed when you take a

test. Dress comfortably on the day of the test so that you are at ease

and not distracted.

Before the test…

Don’t cram. The skills measured by the NJBCT are learned over a long period

of time. So, the best preparation is to attend class regularly and complete

all assignments carefully.

During the test…

Think positively. Believe that you will do your very best. Be confident of your ability.

During the test…

Read the directions carefully before beginning each part of the test. This will help you understand what you are supposed to do, will

save time, and help you avoid careless mistakes.

During the test…

Read each question carefully. Try to answer the question before you look at the responses. If you find your answer there, mark that response. If not, ask yourself whether your answer is reasonable.

During the test…

Reread the question, keeping the responses in mind. Take care to read what the question is asking.

During the test…

Make sure that your answers are reasonable. Do you understand what the question is asking? Have you made use of all the relevant information provided to

answer the question correctly? Does your response answer the question? Did you choose the best answer among those listed?

If you aren’t sure of the answer to a question, try to eliminate some of the responses. Think about the reasons why you were able to eliminate some of

the choices. These reasons may provide you with the information you need to

choose the correct answer. If you can eliminate some of the choices, select the remaining

answer choice that makes the most sense.

During the test…

Skip a question and go on to the next one if you have no idea of the answer. Spending too much time on one question might keep you from

having enough time to answer others that you do know. If there is time, you should come back to it later at the end of

that part of the test. Try not to leave any question unanswered.

During the test…

Pace yourself during the test. Budget your time so that you have a chance to answer all the

questions. Your teacher will periodically let you know the time remaining in

the part of the test you are taking.

During the test…

Test Taking Tips

Watch for Clue WordsWhen you read a test question, watch for the clue

words except, always, and mostly. When a question has the word except, you are looking for the

answer that is not correct. When you see always in a question, it means the answer is true

in every situation. Mostly suggests that the correct answer generally applies, but

there are exceptions.

Living things show all of the characteristics exceptA. Growth and development.B. Ability to respond to the

environment.C. Ability to dissolve.D. Reproduction.

Step 1What is the question

asking? This question asks you to

spot the characteristic that is NOT true of living things.

Read the following question and answer choices.

EXAMPLES:

Living things show all of the characteristics exceptA. Growth and development.B. Ability to respond to the

environment.C. Ability to dissolve.D. Reproduction.

Step 2Look for clue words.

This question includes the word except.

You are looking for the answer that is not correct.

Read the following question and answer choices.

Living things show all of the characteristics exceptA. Growth and development.B. Ability to respond to the

environment.C. Ability to dissolve.D. Reproduction.

Step 3Read each answer choice

carefully. Cross out choices you know

are true. You may remember that

living things grow and develop and they respond to the environment, so you can cross out A and B.

Read the following question and answer choices.

Living things show all of the characteristics exceptA. Growth and development.B. Ability to respond to the

environment.C. Ability to dissolve.D. Reproduction.

Step 4Choose one of the answers

left. You know that the correct

answer is either C or D. You may remember that

living things reproduce. The only characteristic that is

NOT true of all living things is C, ability to dissolve.

Read the following question and answer choices.

Read the following questions and answer choices. Before you choose your answer, underline the clue word. Then circle the correct answer.

1. In research, a scientist must always considerA. PlantsB. EvidenceC. PhotographsD. Theories

2. A bias is mostly due to:A. the study of lifeB. Controlled experimentsC. Experimental dataD. A personal point of view

3. Topics studied in biology include all of the following except:

A. The biosphereB. Rocks and mineralsC. Changes in groups of organismsD. Reproduction and growth

4. All of the features are true of science exceptA. Deals with the natural worldB. Collects and organizes informationC. Explores the supernaturalD. Proposes explanations based on evidence

5. All of the following are characteristics of all living things except the ability to:

A. Grow and developB. Maintain a stable internal environmentC. Change over timeD. Reproduce asexually

6. All of the following are big ideas in biology except living things are:

A. Unable to adapt to their surroundings.B. Based on a universal genetic codeC. Made up of cellsD. Diverse

7. When working in a lab you should always:A. Follow safe practicesB. Work with a partnerC. Use a microscopeD. Design your own experiment