HANDWRITING

How important is handwriting on tests? If you are asking the question, then it's probably more important than you'd like it to be.

You do have to hand write the free response questions, so it is helpful to be able to write quickly (allowing you to concentrate more on your answer rather than your handwriting.)

It is also important to have legible handwriting, so the test scorers can read your awesome answers rather than spend their time deciphering it.

This may or may not be true, but I read once that there was an experiment done on test essays. The experimenter got a bunch of essays and had the test scorers stand back so that they couldn't read the essays, but could still see the general handwriting and length of the essay. Then the test scorers gave the essays a grade just by looking at it from a distance. Next, the same essays were read and scored. It was found that both methods gave very similar grades! (Meaning the same essay may have gotten a 5 when just looked at and a 5 when it was read.)

Whether or not the story is actually true, neatness and speed in handwriting really do help on essay questions!

How can you improve your handwriting? Practice! Copywork is the time-tested way of improving. A simple way to improve your handwriting that also helps you study at the same time, is to copy your vocabulary words and definitions neatly onto flashcards. Use a marker or cool pen to make it less boring.

Tip: Do you write with your fingers?

Simple Tip For Improving Handwriting: