Ready, Set, Go! Illinois ISAT Grade 8 Reading

About this book Our book provides excellent preparation for the ISAT Achievement Test Grade 8 Mathematics. Inside you will find reviews and drills that are designed to provide students with the instruction, practice, and strategies needed to do well on this achievement test. We also provide a full-length practice test, so students can get a good idea of what to expect on test day. Detailed explanations follow the practice test. Our Teacher's Answer Guide contains full explanations for the Class and Homework Assignment questions in the diagnostic tests at the back of this book. Teachers may obtain the answer guide by contacting REA. About the ISAT Since 2000, the Illinois State Board of Education has administered an eighth grade assessment to determine how well a student is advancing and whether the student is on course to perform well on high school proficiency assessments. It is one of the key tools used to identify students who need additional instruction to master the knowledge and skills detailed in the Illinois Learning Standards, those standards which guide education in Illinois. Students are given 45 minutes to complete each of the ISAT's first two sessions and 40 minutes to complete session three, all of which adds up to a total of 2 hours and 5 minutes of testing. The test is comprised of both multiple-choice and extended- response questions. Sessions one and two each contain 38 multiple-choice questions. Session three contains two extended-response questions. Students in grade 8 may use a hand-held calculator for all sessions of the ISAT. Students may also use the ISAT formula card during all sessions of the mathematics ISAT. The questions are designed to measure the Illinois Learning Standards for mathematics in these six state goals: 1. Number and Numeration 2. Operations, Patterns, Ratios, and Proportions 3. Measurement 4. Algebra 5. Geometry 6. Data Analysis and Statistics For comprehensive official information on the ISAT Achievement Test, visit the Illinois State Education Department online at http://www.isbe.net/assessment. About the Reviews & Drills The reviews in this book are designed to help students sharpen the basic skills needed to approach the exam, as well as to provide strategies for solving each type of question. Students will also find exercises to reinforce what has been learned. By using the reviews in conjunction with the drills and practice test, students will be in a better position to master the exam. TIPS FOR THE STUDENT There are plenty of things students can do before and during the actual test to improve their test-taking performance. The good thing is that most of the tips described in the following pages are easy! Preparing for the test Test Anxiety Do you get nervous when your teacher talks about taking a test? A certain amount of anxiety is normal and it actually may help you prepare better for the test by getting you motivated. But too much anxiety is a bad thing and may keep you from properly preparing for the test. Here are some things to consider that may help relieve test anxiety: Share how you are feeling with your parents and your teachers. They may have ways of helping you deal with how you are feeling. Keep on top of your game. Are you behind in your math homework and class assignments? A lot of your classwork-related anxiety and stress will simply go away if you keep up with your homework assignments and classwork. And then you can focus on the test with a clearer mind. Relax. Take a deep breath or two. You should do this especially if you get anxious while taking the test. Study Tips & Taking The Test Learn the Test's Format. Don't be surprised. By taking a practice test ahead of time you'll know what the test looks like, how much time you will have, how many questions there are, and what kinds of questions are goiResearch and Education Association Staff is the author of 'Ready, Set, Go! Illinois ISAT Grade 8 Reading', published 2006 under ISBN 9780738600994 and ISBN 0738600997.