COOP Tips and Practice from Zach
Note: I know not everyone takes COOP exams, but that's what I took, so that is the knowledge I possess. I just took them in November, and I remember the process quite well. I will be doing other test tips, too, such as scholarship/honors testing and course placement testing. I use myself and my sister as examples, so I want to make it clear I am not bragging or putting my sister down, we just happen to be good examples.
Tips:
Don't get nervous. It may sound like a big deal, but it's really not that bad. I know everyone tells you not to get nervous and then they scare you by telling you its importance. Yes, it is a very important test, but it's not the most important. My sister scored a 26 on the Reading section of her exam, and she still got a scholarship and into the high academic honors program at a school. I, myself, was lucky enough to score straight 99's, but not everyone is that good at taking tests. My number one tip is to stay calm.
Use your time wisely. You will hear this sentence from everyone, but no one really knows what it truly means. My advice would be to plan your time. Take your time into account. Say you have 45 minutes, okay? Go through and do the ones you know first. You don't lose points for leaving answers blank or getting them wrong. Once you do the ones you know, go back and do the harder ones. No matter what you're doing, whether you know you can do the questions left, once you get down to five minutes, scan and find ones you don't have to do any work for, you can automatically choose. Once two minutes is your remaining time, guess guess guess. It sounds strange, but they're all multiple choice. You have a 25% chance of getting it right, so, rather than not getting points, you can guess and try. Remember, you don't lose points for wrong answers, you only gain for right.
Be prepared! Have at least three sharpened #2 pencils, if not more. If you are unprepared, you will most likely be stressed and unfocused. Pick out your clothes the night before, and put everything you need into a bag. Bring scrap paper because, while they most likely will give it to you, you want it just in case. (I needed extra because I do hings the complicated way.) You are allowed to write in the book, but there isn't always enough room.
Study! Although it may be hard to study because you don't know what is on the test, you should prepare. Do at least two of the practice examinations. Luckily, my former algebra/pre-algebra teacher helped us out by practicing with us in class and after school, I still did practices on my own, and look what I scored.
Addition: Do not worry about other people. A lot of people rush through the exam just to get it over with. I know a lot of people stereotype Asians as the smart ones who finish first, but that's normally not that case. Take your time and work at your own pace. Other people will be ahead of you. They will be behind you. This does not mean that they are putting down the right or wrong answers, and it does not mean they are better or worse than you. This means that they know the pace they need to work at to do well. I make careless mistakes when i rush, and I normally rush because of other people. It was tough for me to take my time, but I did and I did the best I have ever done on a standardized test. WORK AT YOUR PACE, NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S.
I am very academically advanced, as is my sister. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU MUST BE EXTREMELY SMART TO PASS. There was a girl in my class who wasn't the smartest person, she had terrible grades, but she tried hard, and she got accepted into one of the better all girls' high schools in the state. This works the opposite way. Even if you are very smart, you should still practice. My sister didn't, and look what she scored. I did, and look at my scores.
Ask your teachers and classmates for help. Do not be afraid. A lot of times, people will be willing to help. Most people get very confused by the practice tests at first, and that's okay. Asking for help from teacher or friends is a good thing, and a lot of times it can help you learn better. Studies have proven that working with others will boost learning. Plan a study group or ask a a teacher at your school about having a COOP course. A lot of schools already have them, but it is better to get help from someone you know/like. If you don't like the instructor or don't know them, you'll feel awkward and you won't get much help. Many people tried to help me, but I only really learned well from the teacher I asked.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! I cannot stress this enough, and you will most likely see this tip in every single one of my help posts. If you wait until the last minute, you will be stressed, and your work will not be quality. Let me give you an example. This year, I graduated eight grade. I had a shot at being valedictorian, which would have been an amazing opportunity, and it definitely looks good. Our school year is split into trimesters (three parts). In the first trimester, I worked well and got everything done early. Of course, I had straight A+'s. The third trimester, I became very motivated to win the valedictory competition, which pushed me to work and get everything done on time. The fact that my main competitor was a huge bitch really pushed me, too, but that's not the most important part. The second trimester, however, I slacked. I handed thing in late, I missed work, and I did somewhat poorly on tests. While I still got straight A's, I lost my chance at valedictorian because I waited for the last minute to do everything. The moral of this story you don't care about is that waiting until the last minute hurts everyone. Whether it be causing you to lose a competition, or making you fail your COOP, it does not help you. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREPARE.
Below you will find a link to a practice examination: ( I recommend focusing on the math unless you have trouble in reading class (AKA english class))
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You can google COOP practice exams to attempt to find more.
I also recommend this book. It comes from McGraw-Hill, one of the top text book publishers and the company who designs the COOP testing. I used this book, and I do own a copy of it. It gives you more tips than I gave you and includes more practice exams. It's a bit old, so the timing may be different, but it definitely helps. You can talk to your teachers about the timings, but I'm not sure they will know. My teacher worked at McGraw-Hill before, so she knew. Unfortunately, I don't remember.
http://www.mhprofessional.com/product.php?cat=111&isbn=0071778314&cat=111
I'm going to guess here and say that you have either 40 minutes for 20 problems in the math or 50 minutes for 40, but I'm not entirely sure. I would practice more for the second guess, and if it's the first then your extra prepared. Don't hate me if I'm wrong, please.
Please like this post if you found it helpful. I know COOPs are a few months away, but you can start preparing now, while you have the time.