The purpose of this page is to help you review and refresh MCAS test-taking strategies. We ask both you and your child to read and practice these tips in order to better prepare for the 2011 MCAS tests.
Common Vocabulary Used on MCAS Tests
Analyze: to separate into parts and explain
Apply: to assign to a specific purpose; to make use of
Argue: to prove points by using facts
Cause and Effect: to tell what happened and why
Cite: to quote as an example
Compare and contrast: to find the similarities and differences
Convey: to carry out or transfer information
Criticize and evaluate: to find the strengths and weaknesses
Decide: to make a choice
Define: to explain exactly what something means
Describe and discuss: to tell all you know
Draw: to come to a conclusion
Evaluate: to determine the value or amount of; to appraise
Excerpt: a short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing
Explain: to tell how and why
Express: to make your opinion or feelings known
Formulate: to state or express as a method or a system
Generalize: to summarize without going into details
Identify: to recognize and explain
Illustrate: to give examples
Infer: to gather meaning from details provided
Interpret: to explain the meaning in your own words
Justify: to argue in support of something
List: to write a series of names or numbers in a row
Paraphrase: to restate the meaning in your own words
Persuade: to convince to do or believe something
Point out: to show an exact detail or meaning
Predict: to tell in advance
Prove: to show correctness by using facts
Respond: to give an answer
Review: to re-examine the main points or highlights of something
Show: to give information
State: to express in words
Summarize: to pull together the main point
Support: to provide evidence
Tell: to say or make known in words
Trace: to list chronologically in order