IT IS that time of year again. SAT 10 testing week started on Monday and will run through May 20.

Although students’ grades and promotions to the next grade level are not affected by the scores they receive on the test, it is still important for every student to do his or her best as the results are a reflection of them as students.

Since most of the questions on the SAT 10 are in a multiple choice format, below are some tips students can use for tackling multiple choice tests successfully:

1. Read all directions carefully. If you do not understand the directions, ask for help.
2. Read the questions carefully, and make sure you understand what the question is asking.
3. When marking your answer sheet, be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked.
4. Read the questions and all of the answer choices before marking anything.
5. Don’t spend too much time on any one question.
6. Answer the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped.
7. Do not change your answers unless you are very certain that your first answer choice is wrong.
8. The SAT 10 does not have a penalty for wrong answers so mark an answer to every question on the test.
9. Make the most intelligent guess you can for questions you are not sure about. After you have gone through all of the questions, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect. Eliminating any answers that you know are incorrect can increase the chances of a random guess being correct.
10. If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read, read the questions first. By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.
11. Eat something in the morning so your stomach is not grumbling during the test.
12. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and shoes.
13. Bring an extra pencil and eraser.
14. Use the bathroom before the test, and do not drink anything for about an hour before the test either because a full bladder will affect your concentration. Also, if you have to use the bathroom during the testing time, you will have less time to complete the test.
15. Locate the clock in the room or wear a watch so you can gauge how much time you have for the test.
16. Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks.
17. Double-check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you are not marking the wrong number.
18. Remember, it's okay not to know everything – unlike class tests, these tests will have some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge at a grade level above your current grade.

Good luck to all.

Elizabeth Hamilton, M.Ed., MA, is a teacher with 23 years of professional experience. You can write to her at successfullearner[at]yahoo.com with your questions or comments.