CTSO Objective test prep

One of the hallmarks for competitive student organizations is the portions that include objective tests. Students tend to shy away from these types of events, because they feel too much like school to them, and they don’t want to do the work to prepare for the test itself. These tests also don’t have the excitement of a role play or a public speaking event. Those events attracts students who don’t like to prepare as heavily, and (are at) heart performers. So let’s talk about CTSO Test Prep…

In today’s entry, we will talk about the preparation we have always done in my organizations to both prepare to succeed in testing, and have a great time doing it. If it feels too much like school, you won’t get the buy-in from students, so let’s see how we can make it more enjoyable.

Organizations Requiring CTSO Test Prep

I have experience in DECA, FBLA, SkillsUSA, and even HOSA.

All of these organizations have some element of competitive events that focuses on objective knowledge tests. While the events themselves range wildly from Personal Finance to EMT knowledge, they share some very common things.

First of all, they all require CTSO Test Prep.

It is impossible for students to place at the state level without some knowledge and understanding of the topic. For example, I recently had a freshman try to sign up for Economics in FBLA. That kid would have to compete with seniors who are either in, or already passed, an Advanced Placement Economics class. There is no way I want to see a young competitor get frustrated during the test by not understanding the material. Or even worse, embarrassed at awards when they weren’t called up for the top ten. Help your students choose their competitions wisely.

Secondly, the tests repeat every five or six years.

Because of this fact, you should take advantage of the availability of these tests – paid or free – from the CTSO test prep resource itself. Another commonality of the test questions is that they usually include current event information, so it is important that all competitors are up on the most current literature for the topic. 

Finally, they are always an hour long (except Middle-Level FBLA which is 45 minutes).

Most of our students are used to racing through objective tests to finish as soon as possible. We need to convince our students to slow down, and truly consider each question before choosing an answer. As of right now, in most instances, students can return to previous questions for review or to change their answer. Unfortunately, most students race through the test and do not go back to reconsider answers.

Suggesting tests for students

Depending on which CTSO you are dealing with, and what state you are in, students have a wide variety of options for choosing objective tests. In Nevada, CTSOs are nowhere near the level of some of the other state in this country in terms of competitiveness, or availability of tests. We are incredibly lucky that in DECA, students can compete in two events at the state level, and in FBLA they can choose five. That’s right—FIVE. Because of this, we allow our students to choose their events on their own, only offering guidance or suggestions when students are off course.

The best suggestion I have for students is to take advantage of their age and experience with the organization.

For example, Principles events in DECA are reserved for first-year members only, but that doesn’t necessarily mean freshmen. It was interesting a number of years ago when my son (freshman) and his cousin (senior) both participated in Principles of Marketing in different states. FBLA, on the other hand, offers “Introduction to…” competitions that are relegated to freshmen and sophomores only. We try very hard to steer the younger competitors to these events. Not only is the competition comparable to them in age, but also comparable in knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. You won’t find an AP Econ student in Introduction to Business Concepts, for example. 

In the end, though, kids are in the CTSO to have fun. So let them pick…for this year. Then, once they are hooked on both the CTSO and the competitive experience of a State Conference, they will be much more receptive to your advice next year. That’s when they’ll get to Nationals, and, perhaps, the stage!

Creating study teams

So your students have chosen their competitions already. Great! Now if you have done your job steering them correctly, your entire team is relatively spread out among all of the available competitions.

For our upcoming FBLA State Conference, our 31 kids spread over almost every single competitive events, which is exactly how we like it. Since our kids can compete in so many events, we encourage them to “spread out” and “spread their wings” trying something new. We usually know where their true strength lies, but we have the ability to let them choose for themselves.

Now let’s create study teams. This is what we do:

Group Kids Who Are In The Same Event Together

1. They practice quizlets or other online platforms
2. They talk through every question to find the right answers

Rotate The Groups

1. We mix everybody up at one meeting
2. They each share the hardest things about their competitive event
3. The students teach everyone in their group they things they got wrong and had to practice

Everyone Presents To The Group

1. They each give something they learn (About their own topic AND another topic)

This encourages everyone to do a little CTSO Test Prep—not so much that it feels like school. It also encourages everyone to speak up in front of two different groups of people. Not only is this networking, it is helping them get over their public speaking fears, and will help them in their performance events.

Most importantly, they now have a new group of people they can work with to prepare for their events.

Creating study material

There are several different ways to create study materials to benefit your organization. Notice I said your organization and not just individual students. My ultimate goal is the continuation and growth of my program over the coming years, and well into my retirement, and this should be your goal too! The fact that this benefits students is fabulous, but the fact that this benefits FUTURE students knocks it out of the ballpark.

Here are a few suggestions for you to starting building your own study material library:

1. Build a website for your organization, so everything you do can be stored and reused year after year. Do this right away.
2. Create shared documents in your study groups (above) to house the links for all of the public resources—Quizlets, etc—that students find. This huge pile of links should be separated by what topics they cover.
3. Have each study group create a vocabulary list for their topic. Make sure they include definitions that are as short as possible to make them easier to memorize. Add these individual lists to the website.
4. Encourage each student to create a fun Slides presentation, Powtoon, video, or other fun “assignment” about the most difficult topics they found in their topic. This library is VERY useful for students who just wan a five-minute refresher about a topic.

Live CTSO Test Prep is best

There is absolutely nothing better for students than live practice.

I remind you, we are desperately trying to overcome their fear of public speaking, natural shyness, and lack of self-confidence. If you can build your organization around making everyone feel welcome (view other blog for more details), this will be relatively easy, and will pay incredible dividends during competition season. 

Creating live games – think Jeopardy and Kahoot – for students to play at competition prep meetings is the best way for you to prepare your competitors. We start doing this in the fall with the Introduction and Principles events, so students gain knowledge of the most basic business concepts and topics. As the year progresses, we do more intense and difficult topics, continually including some of the easier questions so students can feel successful. Having different students create the Kahoots and the games is another way for student to feel included in your organization. This is an excellent way for members to get some chapter officer experience along the way, to see if they want to attempt a leadership position in the following year. It also takes some of the stress off of your hard-working leadership team to have other people contribute to meetings.

You’ve made it this far, and I appreciate you. So I will share our greatest weapon.

Ready?

As soon as kids come out of their testing session, give them a clipboard and a sheet of paper. Have them write down everything they remember from the test. Vocab. Topics. Actual questions.

That, my fellow advisers, is the best study guide of all!!!!!!!!!!!!

You’re welcome!!!

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out some other ways to boost membership in your student organizations, here, and more strategies to re-engage your members! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite tip of mine was! How do YOU prep for those objective tests? Let me know.

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