What Is TASC Math Test And How to Prepare for It?
Last Updated on February 6, 2023
In the US, the TASC exams provide another way to complete high school education. It is recognized as an alternative high school diploma. The TASC exams contain five main categories. Students must achieve passing scores in all subjects to get the best chance at further education.
Here’s how to prepare and pass the exam, along with where to find the TASC Practice Test Math.
TASC Exams Overview
The TASC, which stands for Test Assessing Secondary Completion, is an alternative way to obtain one’s high school diploma.
The exams cover five subjects, namely:
All of these exams can either be completed online or physically. A Spanish version is available for all subjects.
The time limit for each subject differs, ranging from 75 minutes to 115 minutes. Each subject access different areas covered in the high school syllabus. The TASC exams are generally regarded as difficult. Students have to keep up with their education and revise in order to pass.
What Is The TASC Math Test?
Consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions and 12 open-response questions, the TASC math test has a time limit of 105 minutes for the English version and 125 minutes for the Spanish version.
Students are only allowed a calculator in the second half of the exam. The math test computes your math knowledge in several major categories. From quantitative measurements to geometry and statistics, students have to demonstrate fluency in understanding each concept.
Basic handling of subtraction, summation, multiplying, and division of decimals and fractions is expected from high school students. Scenario-based questions are given for students to construct formulas, calculate the probability of certain events, and create graphs from the data points.
There are cross-subject sections that combine theories on a few topics. Students must be well-versed in every concept covered during their school years to finish the question. For example, students may have to solve spatial-reasoning questions together with some probability calculation. Or use functions and equations to tackle irrational numbers.
Using concepts interchangeably is a big part of the TASC math test. Students must integrate common sense and logical reasoning to determine how some real-life situations compute in the math world.
During the TASC math test, a draft paper is permitted throughout the exam but a calculator is only allowed in the second half. The time limit given suffices for well-prepared students. Students should find enough time to go over the entire paper once.
While the TASC is not regarded as the easiest subject, it is doable with enough preparation and studying. Most questions follow the same structure and logic. Students should familiarize themselves with exercises in the textbooks and keep up with the progress.
How To Prepare For The TASC Math Test?
1. Get a TASC math test practice test
Textbook exercises and class practices give you valuable experiences in mimicking real-life examining-taking skills but they are not enough to fully handle the TASC math test. You need a comprehensive practice test designed by education experts.
TestPrep Online is a pioneer in offering exam resources. It does not provide generic exam sets across all fields. Experts with in-depth knowledge of the TASC exams prepare the materials so they are 100% fit to use. Get your preparation set a few months before the exam date to reserve plenty of time for your studies.
2. Go through the same exercise several times
Whether it is your textbook or the online practice test, you should go over each set at least five times to familiarize yourself with trick questions and complicated concepts. It is not possible to learn from all the mistakes at once. It takes repetition for it to become long-term memory.
Aim to achieve the full score twice in a roll before leaving the set behind. Highlight questions you always struggle with. Each set will contain its own trick questions. Competing several tests give you the best chance at handling the real one at ease.
3. Practice with peers
Whenever you are stuck with a complex subject, your peers may enlighten you more than the teacher. Education professionals may focus too much on the technical terms that students struggle to digest, whereas peers may explain concepts to each other in simpler terms.
Practicing with peers can move things forward. Sometimes, you don’t have to understand each concept in its entirety to answer a question. It is beneficial to know the ins and outs of a topic, but when it is too difficult, students can ask their peers about the “hacks” to bypass it.
4. Attend after-school preparation classes
Depending on your school resources, most schools should offer after-school classes to help students prepare for the TASC exams. It could be bi-weekly or weekly. Don’t miss the chance to attend these even though they simply go over taught subjects.
They reinforce your memories and answering techniques. More importantly, these classes are usually smaller in scale so the teacher can be more attentive to your needs. It is the best time to ask questions.
5. Divide different sections
Some questions will require more time to complete. It is wise to allocate time in accordance with the difficulty. Easier questions should be given the least amount of time so you don’t run out of time with the harder ones.
You can start by completing the easy sections in each question set and then the harder questions. It can further strengthen your knowledge of the test structure. Time yourself so you always have enough time to revise your calculations.
6. Take enough breaks
Knowledge is no stuffing. You are not supposed to cramp all study sessions in one go. Therefore, pulling an all-nighter is not going to work in your favor. Spread out your preparation period over the entire academic year.
Track your progress by keeping a neat schedule. Reserve enough time in between each session for your brain to rest. Since you have other subjects to deal with, it’s fine to skip a few days before you get back to the math test.
7. Formulate an effective study plan
A successful study plan is never too aggressive. Formulating a schedule based on your capability saves you lots of hard-earned time. Don’t compare your study plan to others. Some people may pick it up at a faster speed while others need more time. Set expectations according to your performance.
Revise your study plan weekly to see if you are way ahead of schedule or lacking behind. Adjust your plan accordingly to achieve your goals. You may have to constantly move things around to squeeze time for other subjects. Hence, it is good to receive plenty of empty slots for emergencies.
8. It is okay to skip a question
When you have spent more than enough on a question and still not be able to answer it, skipping it is the best choice. Spending more time on it will only strip away time for other questions that you are familiar with.
You don’t have to answer every question to score high in the TASC exam. Keep your mind on questions you are confident about. Mark down the difficult questions and circle back later to see if you can find a solution. Otherwise, just leave it blank.
9. Use your common sense
Some baffling questions can be solved by exercising your common sense. Since the TASC exams are all about real-life scenarios, you can logically deduce the correct choice by eliminating the unsound ones.
This can be a neat strategy when you can’t solve a question mathematically. Change things around and see if you can arrive at a plausible solution. This will not always work but it can give you guidance in answering questions.
Are The TASC Exams Difficult?
Most students and experts agree that the TASC difficulty level is roughly the same as other standard high school diploma exams. These tests aim to separate the elites from regular students so they can use the score to apply for higher education institutions.
There will be easier sections and more difficult sections in each subject. The easier sections divide students with a basic understanding of the syllabus from those lacking adequate knowledge to graduate. The more difficult sections give elites an edge to score above average, pushing them as desired candidates for prominent educational institutions.
Students that adhere to study schedules and can keep up with classes should have no problem passing but scoring in the top percentile will take much more effort as they are directly competing against their peers in the same grade.
The TASC exams compile topics covered throughout students’ academic years. Therefore, the coverage seems massive and deterring. Students must start early and keep revising older concepts so they don’t forget basic calculations.
Schools with sufficient funding will increase allowances spent on support classes. Students can receive better help and tend to perform better in the TASC exams than those without support from their schools.
Summary
Completing your high school education is a big milestone in one’s academic life. Your future education depends on it. With the help of TestPrep Online, you can finish your diploma with the best memories and scores..
