ITBS Information

What is the ITBS?

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is a norm-referenced test. This test will compare how well students in Georgia compare to students across the nation.

How can I help my child prepare for standardized tests?

Good testing skills can be as important as knowing the material. Without these skills, your child's scores are not likely to reflect what he or she knows. Use these test taking tips to help improve your child's test taking skills.

  1. Directions
    • Always listen to and read the directions carefully; don't assume that you already know them. Sometimes they change only slightly, but significantly, from one section to the next.
    • Ask the instructor to explain any directions that you do not understand.
    • Be sure you know how and where to mark the answers, especially if they are on a separate sheet.
    • Mark answers carefully and neatly, filling in the blanks completely so that it will be graded correctly.
  2. Wording
    • Watch out for wording such as "Which of the following is not true?" or for answers that sound or look similar.
    • On a true or false question, look for the words never, always, only, best.
  3. Attitude
    • Relax by taking several slow, deep breaths and changing your position from time to time.
    • Remember that you know a lot of information and that you are doing your best to show what you know.
  4. Pacing
    • Since the test is timed, don't get bogged down on a question that you can't answer or are unsure about.
    • Answer the items you are sure of first. This builds confidence, and you won't miss points on easy questions by running out of time.
    • Skip difficult questions and place an "X" by the number of the question in the margin on the answer sheet.
    • Answer questions that you're not sure of the best you can and mark them with a "?" in the margin.
    • When you have answered all the other questions, answer the questions with an "X" in the margin and recheck questions you marked with "?".
  5. Helps
    • If you need to, look back at the reading selection to check facts and ideas.
    • Try each answer in the blank to help you decide which one sounds right.
    • Remember, sometimes there are no mistakes to be found or two answers can be correct and you must choose the answer that includes them both.
    • When you are not sure, eliminate answers you know are incorrect and take your best guess among the rest. Some of your guesses may be right.
  6. Math
    • On arithmetic test items, do a quick estimate with rounded-off numbers. This will help you avoid "silly" mistakes and may even help you locate the only possible answer.
    • When you copy a math problem onto scratch paper, line up the numbers carefully and double check your copying.
    • Check math problems by reversing operations.
  7. Timing
    • Use all the time allotted for the test; review your test if you finish early.
    • Recheck the directions, questions, and your answers.
    • Do not change answers unless they are obviously wrong.
    • Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for being the first.

Checklist for the Day of the Test