Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Test Takingstrategies
Test Takingstrategies
Test Takingstrategies
MAT 1
Notice that EXCEPT questions are either asking you which answer choice is
false (such as the example on the left) or which answer choice is true (as in the
example on the right). You have to read the question carefully in order to
determine which answer (true or false) youre looking for.
Read each answer choice carefully in light of the question (whether its asking
for a true or false answer). Eliminate the choices you know cannot be correct.
MAT 2
4. Many of the questions test history/ social studies skills in addition to knowledge of the
content. Make sure you understand the stimulus (the image/ graph/ map) before
attempting to answer the question. Often, doing so will immediately eliminate some of the
answer choices.
When looking at an image, check to see if its title and/or author is given; this
may help you place it historically and give you a hint regarding the answer.
When looking at a graph, make sure you read the title and understand what
both the vertical and horizontal axes represent before attempting to
read/analyze the data on the graph. Often, just looking at the graphs
organization (looking at dates given, or regions specified, etc.) will help you
eliminate some of the answer choices.
When looking at a map, make sure you read the title (titles are often
accompanied by dates!) and understand what region of the world youre looking
at.
5. Keep note of the time; know what time the section ends so you can pace yourself effectively.
On The Free Response Section:
1. All essays, regardless of type, require an analytical thesis (so make sure you include one in
either your introduction or your conclusion). This A.T. must answer the question thats
asked (respond to the question in the prompt) and explain why that answer is/may be
correct.
For the DBQ, your thesis may be something like: These are the
responses/effects/ reasons why something happened because [you include
something about what the documents reveal; you may mention your
groupings here].
For the CCOT, your thesis may be something like: Between [Year 1 specified in
the prompt] and [Year 2 specified in the prompt] in [region(s) specified in the
prompt], _______ changed because _______, while _______ remained in
place because _______.
For the Comparative Analysis (CA), your thesis may be something like: While
[the first region/phenomenon specified in the prompt] and [the second
region/phenomenon specified in the prompt] were similar in that both
_________ because they both _______, they differed in that [the first
region/phenomenon] ______, while [the second region/phenomenon] ____
because of _________.
2. All essays, regardless of type, require analysis, an explanation of why the information youre
presenting (from the documents, or from examples for changes/continuities or
similarities/differences) fit together the way they do.
For the DBQ, much of your analysis rests in how you group the documents, and
how well you explain why those documents fit together in a group. You may
explain this with a sentence thats something like: [Docs X, Y, and Z] all
address ________, which explains why __________.
For the CCOT, you must analyze why at least one change or continuity you
specified occurred. You may explain your reasoning with a sentence thats
something like: This [change/continuity] occurred/may have occurred because
_____________.
MAT 3
For the CA, you must analyze why at least one similarity or difference you
specified existed. Your explanation may look something like this: One reason
for this similarity may be that both [regions/phenomena] ___________. or
One reason for this difference may be that [region/phenomenon 1] was
_________, while [region/phenomenon 2] was _________.
3. All essays, regardless of type, require evidence, or facts/examples that back up your
analytical thesis and your main points. Earning credit for including evidence ALWAYS
depends on the inclusion of an acceptable thesis. No acceptable thesis = no credit for
evidence (even if the evidence you present is awesome).
For the DBQ, your evidence is drawn from your interpretation of the
documents. You do need to discuss documents individually and specifically, but
you dont have to quote from them (paraphrasing is fine). Remember that in
order to earn credit, you need to use (at minimum!) all but one of the
documents in your response.
For the CCOT, your evidence is the specific examples you use to illustrate the
change(s)/continuity(ies) you discuss in the essay. Your examples must be
historically and regionally relevant (e.g., correct in regards to the time frame
and region specified in the prompt). Remember that in order to earn credit, you
need to include (at minimum) three specific examples (or 5 examples to earn
maximum credit for the basic core requirements). For the CCOT, the more
accurate specific examples you use, the greater the likelihood of extended core
points!
For the CA, your evidence is the specific examples you use to illustrate the
similarities/differences you discuss in the essay. Your examples must be
historically and regionally relevant (e.g., correct in regards to the time frame
and region specified in the prompt). Remember that in order to earn credit, you
need to include (at minimum) three specific examples (or 5 examples to earn
maximum credit for the basic core requirements). For the CA, the more
accurate specific examples you use, the greater the likelihood of extended core
points!