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Long Beach High School

Special Education Department

 

Test Taking Strategies, Test Prep Hints, Test Taking Techniques, Study Strategies, Study Time Tips, The SQ3R Method and more...

 

 Test Taking Strategies

    Tests can be a very frustrating event for many students. You can, however, use a variety of strategies to better prepare yourself for Test-taking. The anxiety you may feel will decrease if you use these helpful tips. As a student, you will encounter many different teachers, diverse teaching styles, dissimilar testing situations, and various kinds of tests. Thus, you may want to try using various strategies to better suit your needs, and to actively engage yourself in enhancing and improving your test-taking abilities.

    "A Test is a Test. . ." NOT!

    Every teacher creates tests suitable for the course and subject matter to be mastered, and unless you have had a particular teacher several times, the chance you have of "figuring out" a instructor's testing style is slim without consulting the teacher or other students who have had him or her. By using the hints below, you should be able to prepare for your exams in the most effective ways possible for each class.

    Test-Preparation Hints

•   Attend class regularly, especially the class before an exam. The professor will usually give helpful hints regarding the exam.

•   About a week or two before the test, ask your teacher about what you can anticipate being on the exam.

•   Start preparing for your exam at least two weeks in advance.

•   Listen carefully during lectures. Professors will often stress important topics or points with body- language, voice intonation, or repetition. Put a mark in your notes by that information so you remember that it is important.

•   Predict and make practice test questions. Utilize your lecture notes, textbook notes, handouts, previous tests and quizzes, and sample tests from each chapter.

•   Study with a group that has good study habits.

•   Use note cards to quiz yourself on concepts and vocabulary.

•   Repeat information aloud. Hearing it is sometimes more effective than reading it for the millionth time.

•   Review ALL class information for the exam. Teachers often throw in questions based on information other than what they specifically talked about in class.

•   Never cram for an exam, but do review the night before the exam.

•   Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Your mind, like your body, needs rest and energy to perform well.

    Test-Taking Techniques

•   Always read the directions carefully.

•   Do a "memory dump" as soon as you get the exam. Jot down all formulas, mnemonics, and any information you may need to recall on a scratch paper or in the test margins.

•   Skim the test to get a sense of what it covers so you can allot your time appropriately. Note the "weight" of questions. Questions worth more points should be completed in a timely manner, whereas the questions worth one or two can be finished after the larger, more difficult ones are complete.

•   Do the easiest questions first, and put marks next to the questions of which youare unsure. When you have completed the exam, go back and finish the "marked" questions.

•   Don't be afraid to ask the teacher if you have a question; perhaps others may have the same questions about confusing items or directions.

•   Look for key words that might trigger the right answer. Occasionally, the information needed to successfully complete one question lies within another question.

•   For essay exams: Before you start, "brain-storm" for a minute so you can recall the information about which you need to write. Then set up a brief outline of your points so you do not forget anything while you are writing. This way, if you run out of time, you can jot down the items left in the outline for partial credit. Hint: If possible, save time to PROOFREAD!

•   For multiple choice tests: Always read all the choices; then mark the answers you know are not correct. Continue until you know the correct answer or can submit an educated guess.

•   For true and false questions: Watch for words that change the meaning of the statement (i.e., qualifiers like "always" and "never"). Remember, all parts of a statement must be true for the answer to be "true."

•   Always write carefully and legibly. If you know you have a problem with your handwriting ask to use a word processor in advance.

•   Try and save enough time to go through the test a second time.

    Study Strategies: How to Get the Most from Your Classes

     Many students believe that studying entails six hours the night before an exam, but in reality, studying is an everyday time management skill. Once you have completed your courses for the day, the trick to becoming a prepared student is to re-read, re-copy, and review all of the material that you covered that day in classes, and utilize any academic support systems available (study groups, tutors, study guides, etc.). Once you have determined your style(s), learn more about the study strategies that work best for you.

     You ask, "But how do I study for a test?" If you have been studying for your classes on a daily basis, then the night before the exam should be spent reviewing, once again, your notes, graphs, and handouts that pertain to the exam. Reviewing may seem to be a waste of time, but in the long run, you will be saving your energy and an immense amount of time.

    Study Time Tips

•   Learn to say "No" to distractions (parties, movies, TV, etc.)

•   Do not study for more than two hours at a time.

•   Use the 30-3-2 schedule. Study for 30 minutes; take a 3-minute break, and when you return, take 2 minutes to review what you just studied.

•   Prioritize. Stay organized. Get a planner, set study times, and stick to them.

•   Try to study during daylight hours. Natural light is more conducive to learning. Study in a positive atmosphere: good lighting and a clean work area supplied with all the materials you need to study effectively. (Your bed and/or bedroom are not conducive to study because your body/mind equates sleep and relaxation to those locations.)

•   Have a regular study location that is free of distractions.

•   When re-writing your notes, take time to predict possible test questions.

•   Use your old exams, quizzes, and handouts for study material.

•   Use concept maps, time lines, process diagrams or part/function diagrams as visual representations of the material you need to know.

•   Create mnemonics that will help you remember information by organizing it and triggering recall. Remember these: HOMES, ROY G. BIV, or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally?

•   Sharpen your listening skills and note taking skills. Studying will become review time rather than crunch time.

•   Utilize academic support services available to you. Supplemental instruction (SI), tutoring, review sessions, and study skills workshops are offered for many courses and subject areas. Check out the Learning Center or ask a teacher or fellow classmate for assistance.

    The SQ3R Method of Study

•  Created by Francis P. Robinson in 1941, the SQ3R method of study is one of the most common and easily adaptable study techniques for university students. You can follow all steps as written, or modify them to best fit your learning styles.
•  SQ3R is an acronym for the following activities (or steps):
•   1. Survey: When reading a chapter, skim the contents, visuals, headings, etc.
•   2. Question: Form questions that you could answer while you read or use a study guide handed out by the professor.
•   3. Read: Read the text section by section and look for the answers to the question(s) you created.
•   4. Recite: Stop reading after you have completed each section, and check to see if you can answer your question(s) for the section.
•   5. Review: After reading the chapter, go back and review each section by answering the questions you created.

•   Suggestion: If you come across material or words that are confusing, mark them and continue or seek help. By rereading material that is difficult or hard to understand, you may only frustrate yourself. Make questions in your notes or in the margins of your book and ask your teacher the next day.

Current News

Long Beach Riptide Robotics Finishes in Top 10, Earns Creativity Award at FIRST Regional Competition

The Long Beach High School Riptide Robotics team. thumbnail265800
The Long Beach High School Riptide Robotics team achieved an impressive 9th place finish out of 48 teams at the 2025 FIRST Robotics Regional Competition recently held at Hofstra University. As the 7th-seeded alliance captains, the team also took home the prestigious Creativity Award, recognizing their robot’s innovative and highly functional design.

Their robot, The Trident, stood out with a unique three-tiered elevator system, developed and built by a dedicated group of students.  It was the only robot at the competition to use a rack-and-pinion mechanism for game piece delivery—an approach that impressed judges with both its originality and effectiveness. Not only was The Trident technically innovative, but it also proved to be a reliable competitor, requiring only minimal maintenance across three days of intense competition.

Now in its fourth year, Riptide Robotics has consistently made it to the elimination rounds for the past three seasons. The team has shown continued growth and is steadily establishing itself as a top contender on Long Island. This year’s achievements mark another major milestone on their journey, as they look ahead with aspirations of taking home a regional championship title in the near future.

Overcoming design challenges and setbacks throughout the season, the students demonstrated incredible resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Their performance as alliance captains and recipients of the Creativity Award is a reflection of the collective effort and support from the students, mentors, and the Long Beach School District community.

As the team celebrates its accomplishments, they also bid farewell to a standout group of seniors who have been with Riptide since the beginning: team captain Keyi Chen, drive coach Daniel Brenner, driver Nicholas Galon, designer/fabricator Jackson Carroll, and scout Noam Borenstein. Their leadership, talent, and dedication have been instrumental in the team’s success and will leave a lasting legacy.
 

 

 

Date Added: 4/23/2025

Long Beach High School Students Shine at Local Film Festival

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The Long Beach High School TV Studio Production and IB Film program students recently attended the 19th Annual Locust Valley Film Festival, where they made a powerful impression with their creativity, talent, and hard work.

This year’s festival saw over 300 film submissions from 13 schools across the region. Only 75 films were selected for screening in front of an audience of more than 250 students, making it a highly competitive event. Long Beach is proud to share that 13 of those 75 selected films were created by Long Beach High School students, an impressive achievement that highlights the strength and passion of the school’s media arts program.

Even more exciting, Long Beach students brought home three awards across two competitive categories:

Public Service Announcement Category:

* 1st Place: Helmet Safety by Cathy Maguire
* 3rd Place: Drive Safely by Noam Borenstein, Jake Haft, and Aaron Blau

Trailer Category:

* 3rd Place: Life of the Party (Trailer) by Jake Haft, Ethan Engelson, Aaron Blau, Reilly Sanfillippo, Kasey Brymer, Cathy Maguire, and Sabrina Moy

Congratulations to all the students, teachers, and supporters of the Long Beach High School TV Studio Production and IB Film programs.

 

 

Date Added: 4/23/2025

Long Beach Public Schools Administrator Named Regional Director for National Art Education Association

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Long Beach Public Schools is proud to announce that Julia Lang-Shapiro, Director of Media, Visual & Performing Arts, has been appointed Regional Director for the Supervision & Administration Division of the National Art Education Association (NAEA).

In this prestigious two-year role, Ms. Lang-Shapiro will support both regional initiatives and national efforts within the division. She will collaborate with arts administrators from across the country, including Nebraska, Virginia, and Indiana, contributing to the advancement of arts education on a broader scale. Additionally, she will be joining the Public Schools Arts Education Leaders Alliance (PSAELA), further expanding her leadership and advocacy in the arts education community.

“I look forward to exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and working alongside fellow arts administrators to continue advocating for and advancing arts education,” said Lang-Shapiro.

Long Beach Public Schools congratulates Ms. Lang-Shapiro on this well-deserved recognition and is confident she will make a meaningful impact in her new role.

Date Added: 4/23/2025

LBHS Student Artists Part of Long Island’s Best

Congratulations to LBHS student artists Ariana Jabbar and Syd Goldman!  thumbnail265605

Congratulations to LBHS student artists Ariana Jabbar and Syd Goldman! Their artwork has been selected for inclusion in Long Island’s Best—the region’s most prestigious juried exhibition for high school students. The 2024 show opens on April 6 and features 79 pieces chosen from 455 submissions across 67 high schools in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Long Island’s Best is the only juried exhibition on Long Island that gives high school students the chance to exhibit their work in a professional museum setting.

A huge congratulations to Ariana and Syd, and to their dedicated teachers, Eric Fox and Marlon Lainez! Click here to view the full exhibit.

Click here to view the slideshow.

 

Date Added: 4/9/2025


IB Dance Students Collaborate with Professional Dancer

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Students in the Long Beach High School IB Dance Program recently took part in a Dance Residency Intensive on March 12 and 14, in partnership with New York City Center. This unique opportunity allowed the IB Dance students to collaborate with renowned international dancer, teacher, and choreographer Manon Bal, who guided them through Horton and Street Jazz techniques and choreographed an original performance piece exclusively for them.

Long Beach Dance Teacher Christianne Vella said, “Working with such an esteemed dance professional is a very unique experience for a dancer and for many of these students, it was a once in a lifetime time opportunity.”

Manon Bal, a versatile professional dancer from Marseille, France, worked closely with the students during the residency. She has trained at the IFPRO Rick Odums in Paris and the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. Since 2016, she has been a member of Ephrat Asherie Dance, a company that tours both nationally and internationally. Throughout her career, Manon has worked with esteemed choreographers, including Ronald K-Brown, Rick Odums, Michelle Dorrance, Tweet Boogie, Michele Byrd McPhee, Jon Rua, and Miki Tuesday. As a choreographer, she co-founded Maley Company with Dhele Agbetou and Mozaik Dance with Janine J9 Micheletti and Sun Kim. Additionally, Manon serves as a New York City Center Teaching Artist.

Date Added: 3/24/2025