Q&A for How to Pass the STAAR Test

You should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, ideally 8. Different people function better on different amounts of sleep, so you should do whatever works best for you.

Take a break from studying just before the STAAR. Do something fun, such as watching a movie. When you are doing the STAAR, take a mental break every tenth question. Lastly, try not to think too much about the results of the STAAR exam, at least before you take it. This will help put you at ease.

Yes, as long as the website is designed for STAAR preparation. Consider sites that end in .edu or .gov so that you can be certain they are legitimate. Be wary of scam websites; they will often ask for money and/or your personal information.

Try to guess what the answer might be. If it is a multiple choice question, then try to use the process of elimination. You can also skip the question and come back to it later, if/when you have the time.

Narrow your answer choices down to two answers. If you really can't find the answer, take an educated guess.

If your teacher allows you to, you can start your test late. At most schools, you can also take the test on a retake day instead.

Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. During the test, read each question carefully, monitor your time, stick with your fist answer, and take plenty of deep breaths to keep yourself calm and focused. If you need assistance prior to the test, work with a tutor who specializes in standardized tests such as this.

There is not a set number of answers you can miss, the STAAR is not like the other tests you take at school. Your raw score (i.e the number of questions you answer correctly) will be converted to a scale score. Depending on how many answers you get correct, you will receive a performance standard. The performance levels are Level III: Advanced Academic Performance, Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance, Level I: Unsatisfactory Academic Performance.

Skip the question and answer the questions that you already know. If possible, try to eliminate the answers that you know are wrong. Just guess and choose an answer. It's better to guess and possibly get it right instead of leaving the question blank.

As long as your school is open, you will still take the STAAR.

If you don't finish in the time allotted, you don't get more time, unless you have special test accommodations that say you get extra time. If not you have to stop what you are doing and give the teacher your test, you are done.

The number of questions are different but you have to get 70% to pass.

Usually you get four hours on the STARR test, but some people get more time under certain circumstances. Talk to your professor.

Of course this year's questions aren't there. It would be cheating if you were able to see the exact test questions ahead of time. The point is to do practice questions that test the same types of knowledge and skills that the real exam is going to test. If you consistently do well on practice questions, you will probably do fine on the real test.

Visit the Texas Education Agency website to find practice questions. Go to the Student Testing and Accountability section and find the STAAR Test section. They have resources available for students, including released test questions.

Take a break for a few minutes to calm your mind. After that, look over the questions again to see if you are positive that your answer is correct.

If you scream everyone will probably look at you like "What the heck?" The best thing to do is briskly ask a teacher to be excused for a moment and go to the bathroom or wherever. Take a break and stretch, and take deep breaths. Screaming would disrupted other kids and yourself. I don't know why anyone would scream over that, but if you do consult your teacher and take a breather. Chill out, tell yourself, "I'm fine, I can do this, don't worry so much." Then walk in there and focus on the task.

You would have to resubmit your answers. You wouldn't have to retake the test though as long as you can still make out the work. The proctor/administrator would have to order another test, and you would need to re-enter your answers.

In most grades, yes, but in 8th grade you are not required to pass to advance to Freshman.

Realize everyone might be under pressure, but just relax. Think about your favorite thing and convince yourself that you can get through it. Remember to believe in yourself, always.

You will have to do it on a retake day. And if you fail that test, you will have to go to summer school. If you fail that test, you will have to do go back a grade.

Pick a random answer, because it's better to guess than to leave one question blank.

See if you can get a tutor, or ask your parents to buy you a Texas TEKS book to help you review, and take some practice tests. Try to stay calm and just do your best. If you're very anxious, you definitely won't perform well.

Yes, studying the week of it and studying on something you won't stress about is good.

There are only levels; there isn't a score. Level 1 is bad (didn't pass), Level 2 is decent (passed), Level 3 is advanced (passed and commended).

Go online and find study sources. You could print out the STAAR test from the previous year to study, or buy a booklet from the store. There are always things to study, so work hard!

Visit the Texas Education Agency website to find practice questions. Go to the Student Testing and Accountability section and find the STAAR Test section. They have resources available for students, including released test questions.

Usually during May (if you take it in March/April) or right before or during summer vacation.

Study every single day and find a tutor to help you if possible. Make a list of things on the test that you didn't know or found confusing so you know what to focus on as you prepare to take the test again.

Yes, in most grades you must pass the STAAR to advance to the next grade, but in some grades it's just a practice for the upcoming year. 8th grade does not have to pass the STAAR, but some colleges look at these scores, so you should still try to do well.