8 Effective Test-Taking Strategies to Increase Your SOL Score

A Moment Every Student Knows

You wake up the morning of an SOL and your stomach tightens.
You flip through notes, wondering which study move actually helps.
You want simple steps that reduce stress and raise your confidence.

You are not alone. Virginia’s Standards of Learning are the statewide measure of what you learned in class. (Virginia Department of Education)
Teachers and researchers say focused strategies and practice improve how well students show what they know. (University of Kansas; Edutopia)

Why Your SOL Score Matters More Than You Think

Your SOL results can shape class placement, graduation plans, and next-step recommendations. (Virginia Department of Education)
That makes small gains worth chasing — and test skills are how you earn them. (George Mason University)

• Learn to read questions first, then answer from what you studied. (Edutopia)
• Use short, timed practice sessions that mimic real test pacing. (University of Kansas)
• Mark confusing items to return to them later; keep moving forward. (Peterson’s)

Now let’s talk about deeper, proven test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score so you can begin applying them. (Virginia Department of Education)

Researched-Backed Test-Taking Strategies to Increase Your SOL Score

Use Previewing to Map the Test

Start each SOL by scanning the whole test quickly.
Note question types, long passages, and how many multiple-choice items there are.
This preview helps you set priorities and avoid surprises. (Virginia Department of Education)

Try previewing for two minutes at the start.
Decide which passages need deep reading and which items you can answer fast.
Previewing is a simple test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score move that saves time.

• Quick checklist before you start:
  • Look for long reading passages first.
  • Tally the number of multiple-choice questions.
  • Circle unfamiliar directions to re-read later.

Practice Smart Pacing to Stay in Control

Pacing keeps you moving and reduces panic.
Divide total time by the number of questions to get a per-question target. (Practice.org)
When timed practice becomes a habit, pacing feels natural.

Teachers who teach pacing help students avoid rushing or getting stuck. (EBSCO Research)
A simple plan: answer easy questions first, mark harder ones, then return.
This is a core test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score skill.

• Pacing tips to try in practice:
  • Set a per-question time and watch the clock.
  • Skip and mark hard items immediately.
  • Save 10–15 minutes for review at the end.

Turn Short Practice into Big Gains

Short, focused practice beats endless cramming.
Use multiple short quizzes that mirror SOL timing and format. (Practice.org)
Case studies show targeted programs reported pass rates ranging from about 85%–100% in specific school implementations. (Practice.org)

The University of Kansas found that students who learned a formal test-taking strategy raised correct answers from about 65%–75% on average, a roughly ten-point gain. (University of Kansas)
Another KU study showed strategy-use scores jumped from about 42%–93% after instruction. (University of Kansas)

These findings mean focused training on test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score can produce measurable change.

• Practice session structure that works:
  • 20–30 minute timed practice.
  • 10-minute focused review of mistakes.
  • Repeat with a different content area.

Build Recall with Simple Study Routines

Short, daily review beats marathon sessions.
Make flashcards, self-quizzes, and mini-summaries for each standard. (George Mason University TTAC)
This kind of routine builds memory and reduces panic on test day.

When you practice retrieval—trying to remember without notes—your brain learns to retrieve information under pressure. (University of Kansas)
Pair your study routine with SOL preparation techniques like weekly practice tests and quick concept maps.

• Study routine sample (20 minutes):
  • 5 minutes: review past errors.
  • 10 minutes: active recall practice.
  • 5 minutes: write a short one-sentence summary.

Manage Anxiety with Quick Mindfulness Moves

Test anxiety can lower performance. (EBSCO Research)
Use two deep breaths, a one-minute grounding exercise, or a short stretch between sections.
These small moves help you refocus and lower stress.

Reframing the test as a chance to show what you learned can change how you feel. (Practice.org)
Implementing calm strategies is part of exam readiness tips that matter as much as content review.

• Fast anxiety-control checklist:
  • Breathe in for 4, out for 6.
  • Place feet flat and sit tall.
  • Repeat a short positive phrase quietly.

(Scholarlysphere note: For deeper reading, Scholarlysphere can help you find short explainers on test anxiety and memory strategies. Use it to find classroom-ready studies and summaries.)

Decode Questions by Highlighting Keywords

Underline or rewrite questions in your own words. (Edutopia)
Cover answer choices, think of your answer, then match it to the choices. (Edutopia)
This reduces confusion from tricky wording and distractors.

Highlighting test-specific vocabulary helps you decode what the question really asks. (Edutopia)
Use SOL preparation techniques like practice items to learn common testing words.

• How to decode fast:
  • Circle action words (compare, explain, identify).
  • Cross out clearly wrong choices.
  • Confirm your first instinct against the answer list.

Use Elimination and Informed Guessing

Learn to eliminate obviously wrong choices first. (Edutopia)
When two answers remain, choose the one best supported by what you studied. (University of Kansas)
Informed guessing raises your odds when you’re unsure.

Some test-taking programs teach specific guessing rules and report clearer decision-making after practice. (University of Kansas)
These are practical test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score you can learn in class or with a tutor.

• Elimination steps to follow:
  • Cross out two least-likely answers.
  • Compare remaining answers to your recalled fact.
  • If unsure, pick the best-supported choice and move on.

Review Strategically Before You Submit

Save time to check marked questions and calculations.
Use your final 10–15 minutes to revisit marked items using a fresh perspective. (Practice.org)
Look for careless errors, misread questions, and omitted words.

A focused review is different from re-reading everything.
Target items you skipped and check for alignment between question and answer.
This final step is a critical test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score habit.

• Final-review plan:
  • Re-check any items you changed.
  • Verify calculations and labels.
  • Confirm you answered every question.

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Why these eight strategies fit together

Each strategy is a small habit that builds into confidence.
Practice with timed items and routines so you know how you’ll react on test day. (Virginia Department of Education)
Use SOL practice methods regularly to turn strategies into second nature.

You can start tonight by doing one short timed quiz and practicing the previewing step.
Track small gains: KU’s studies and Practice.org case reports show training and targeted practice can produce measurable improvements. (University of Kansas) (Practice.org)
Keep your plan simple. Keep it steady.

Turn Habits into Better Scores

Make a Weekly Plan You Can Do

Start small. Plan three short practice sessions this week.
Use focused mini-quizzes and review at fixed times. (Practice.org)
Use test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score during each short session.

• Quick wins to try tonight:
  • 20-minute timed quiz on one SOL standard.
  • 10 minutes reviewing mistakes and writing one summary.
  • One short self-quiz before bed.

Track Progress with Simple Metrics

Measure small gains to stay motivated.
Record percent-correct ranges after each practice session. (University of Kansas)
Track how test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score change those ranges over weeks.

• Progress checklist you can use:
  • Record three practice scores per week.
  • Note two repeated error types.
  • Adjust focus for next week.

Quick Actions, Practice Drills, and What They Help

Strategy	Quick Action (2–5 min)	Practice Drill (20–30 min)	What it improves
Previewing	Scan test layout, mark long passages	Timed passage preview + targeted questions	Prioritizing time and reducing surprises (Virginia Department of Education)
Pacing	Set per-question time on scratch paper	30-minute timed section, track per-question time	Time management and fewer rushed answers (Practice.org)
Short Practice	Do a 10-question quiz tonight	Weekly timed quizzes across standards	Accuracy and familiarity with SOL format (Practice.org)
Active Recall	Close notes and write one fact	Flashcard sets, self-quizzes, retrieval practice	Strengthens long-term recall (George Mason University TTAC)
Anxiety Control	2 deep breaths, posture check	Brief mindfulness between sections	Lower stress, clearer thinking (EBSCO Research)

(Table sources: Virginia Department of Education; Practice.org; George Mason University TTAC; EBSCO Research.)

How to Use This Plan in Class and at Home

Bring short practice to school and to home study sessions.
Share one timed quiz with a friend and compare notes. (Edutopia)
When you practice, use test-taking strategies to increase your SOL score as part of each activity.

• Group study actions you can try:
  • Swap one practice quiz with a classmate weekly.
  • Teach one concept back to someone else.
  • Keep a shared list of top five tricky vocabulary words.

Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Keep It Steady

You do not need huge changes to see small score shifts. (Virginia Department of Education)
Pick two strategies to start, practice them for two weeks, and track results. (Practice.org)
If you commit to short, regular drills, you will likely see clearer improvements in answer choice accuracy. (University of Kansas)

References

Virginia Department of Education. “Virginia SOL Assessment Program.” Virginia Department of Education, 2025, https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/student-assessment/virginia-sol-assessment-program

Virginia Department of Education. “SOL Test Administration & Development.” Virginia Department of Education, 2025, https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/student-assessment/virginia-sol-assessment-program/sol-test-administration-development

“Spring 2023 SOL and VAAP Assessment Resources.” TTAC Resource Spotlight, George Mason University, 2023, https://ttac.gmu.edu/assets/ttac_archive/resource_spotlight/RS%209%20SOL%20and%20VAAP%20Assessment%20Resources.pdf

The University of Kansas, Center for Research on Learning. “Test-Taking Strategy | Strategic Instruction Model (SIM).” University of Kansas, 2025, https://sim.ku.edu/test-taking-strategy

“Test-Taking Strategies That Help Students Show What They Know.” Edutopia, 2025, https://www.edutopia.org/article/4-test-taking-strategies-that-help-students-show-what-they-know

“Improving Standardized Test Scores: Best Practices for School Districts.” Peterson’s, 2025, https://www.petersons.com/blog/improving-standardized-test-scores-best-practices-for-school-districts/

“Standardized Tests: 6 Innovative Ways to Prepare Students Without the Stress.” Practice.org, 2025, https://practice.org/insights/prepare-students-for-standardized-tests/

“SOL Information.” Clarke County Public Schools – Boyce Elementary School, 2025, https://bes.clarke.k12.va.us/academics/sol-information

“High-Stakes Testing | Research Starters | EBSCO Research.” EBSCO Research Starters, 2025, https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/high-stakes-testing

“SOL Test Taking Tips.” Smore Newsletters, 2025, https://secure.smore.com/n/phnph-sol-test-taking-tips