PSSA Survival Tips for Students

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, and in between schools in Pennsylvania give students the standardized Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) exams.

For those of us who have students in grades three through eight, or in 11th, testing begins at Saucon Valley on Monday, March 14.

In my home, my advice is the same for PSSAs as it is for all tests: pay attention in class, do your homework, study and when testing time arrives, relax and do your best! In addition, as on all school days, it is always best to get a good night's sleep and start the day with a healthy breakfast. On test days, I like to throw in a bit of extra positive reinforcement as they leave for school as well.

Our schools spend a lot of time and resources to ensure that our students are prepared for the PSSAs. This year at Saucon Valley High School, Principal Eric Kahler adjusted the testing schedule so exams will begin later in the morning, when students are more alert. The testing sessions have also been shortened, which will hopefully keep students more focused. Assistant Principal Lorie Gamble has visited all of the 11th grade homerooms to discuss the importance of the PSSA to the individual student, the school and the community.

In the middle school, Principal Pamela Bernardo has added a daily video clip of test-taking strategies to the morning announcements. Students will also use their advisory period on Friday to go over "Tips for Students"--a document administrators created specifically for the students.

Reminders and test taking tips have been posted on the district's web site at www.sauconvalley.k12.pa.us. Below I have highlighted some of the tips the administrators shared with me:

1. Relax and maintain a positive attitude.
2. Take your time. There is no time limit for these tests. Take the time to check your answers and show your work.
3. Don't worry about what other students are doing. The tests are not all the same.
4. Read the questions carefully, underline or highlight parts of the question or story in the booklet if necessary to help you remember, and understand the passages.
5. Be sure to answer every question. If you don't know an answer, skip it and come back to it later. Make sure you are marking the correct space and don't forget to go back and try to answer the questions you skipped.
6. Show all your work. And answer the question even if you only know part of the answer. You get points for each part you have correct. Be sure you show your work on the answer sheet--the test book is not scored.
7. Write legibly. If the person scoring your exam can't read your answer it may be marked wrong!
8. On multiple choice questions read every option carefully and be sure you are choosing the best answer. If you aren’t sure, cross off any answers you know are not correct in your test booklet and try to find the correct answer from those remaining.
9. For math problems check your work and be sure you copied all numbers correctly.
10. Be sure you answer the question. If they want you to show work, show it. If they want you to explain your answer, explain it. A question may ask you to explain why you did what you did, not just what you did.
11. When you are done check your answers! Proofread for mistakes and be sure you answered each question completely.

This may seem like a lot of information, but for most of our children, it is a repeat of what they have been told in class. Most of these tips are basic test taking strategies that our children should employ on all tests they take throughout the year. Some are unique to the PSSA format. For the complete list, ask your children to show you what they received in school, or check out the Saucon Valley School District website.

And as always, if you have a question specific to your child, ask their teacher, counselor or administrator for clarification.

I personally have administered this test several times and have found that Saucon Valley does a wonderful job of preparing our students, both through their curriculum and through the test taking strategies they teach.

So until next week, get a good night’s sleep, relax and don’t forget breakfast in the morning!

And good luck. I am sure all our children will do their best!