Guided Practice
Learn
Guided practice helps you work through full test sections with step-by-step support. This approach bridges the gap between learning individual skills and tackling complete sections independently.
Why Guided Practice Matters
- Build confidence: Work through problems with scaffolded support before going solo
- Learn strategies: See how experienced test-takers approach each question type
- Identify patterns: Recognize common question structures and optimal solving methods
- Reduce anxiety: Familiarity with the format makes test day less stressful
The Guided Practice Process
- Read the passage or problem carefully
- Identify the question type before attempting to answer
- Apply the appropriate strategy for that question type
- Check your reasoning against the provided explanation
- Note any mistakes for future review
Examples
Example: Reading Comprehension Approach
Passage excerpt: "The development of renewable energy sources has accelerated dramatically over the past decade. Solar panel efficiency has improved by 25%, while costs have decreased by nearly 70%."
Question: According to the passage, what has happened to solar technology?
Guided approach:
- This is a detail/information question - look for specific facts
- Scan for keywords: "solar," "efficiency," "costs"
- The answer should mention both improved efficiency AND decreased costs
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding with these 10 questions. Click on each question to reveal the answer.
1. What is the primary purpose of guided practice?
Answer: To provide scaffolded support while working through test sections, building confidence and familiarity before independent practice.
2. Before attempting to answer a question, what should you do first?
Answer: Identify the question type. This helps you apply the appropriate strategy for that specific type of question.
3. A question asks "What does the author imply about climate change?" What type of question is this?
Answer: This is an inference question. It requires you to draw conclusions based on information in the passage rather than finding directly stated facts.
4. When reviewing your guided practice answers, what should you note for future study?
Answer: Note any mistakes you made, including the type of question, your incorrect reasoning, and the correct approach. This creates a personalized study guide.
5. A passage discusses three theories. A question asks "Which theory does the author most strongly support?" What should you look for?
Answer: Look for positive language, more detailed explanations, or concluding statements that favor one theory. Authors often place their preferred position at the end or give it the most thorough treatment.
6. How does guided practice help reduce test anxiety?
Answer: By increasing familiarity with the test format, question types, and pacing requirements. When you know what to expect, the test feels less intimidating.
7. A question asks you to identify the "main idea" of a passage. Where is this information typically found?
Answer: The main idea is typically found in the introduction (first paragraph) and reinforced in the conclusion (last paragraph). Topic sentences of body paragraphs also support the main idea.
8. What is the difference between a "detail" question and an "inference" question?
Answer: A detail question asks for information directly stated in the passage. An inference question requires you to draw conclusions or understand implications from the text.
9. During guided practice, why is it important to check your reasoning against the explanation, even if you got the answer right?
Answer: You might have gotten the right answer for the wrong reasons, or there might be a more efficient approach. Understanding the optimal reasoning helps on future questions.
10. What should you do if you consistently miss the same type of question during guided practice?
Answer: Focus additional study time on that question type. Review the strategies specifically designed for it, and seek out more practice problems of that type until you improve.
Check Your Understanding
You should now be able to:
- Explain why guided practice is valuable for test preparation
- Follow the five-step guided practice process
- Identify different question types before answering
- Use mistakes as learning opportunities
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review