When encountering unfamiliar terminology on the NJ test, what should you do?

• A. Immediately skip the item.
• B. Use context clues from the passage, infer meaning, and avoid getting stuck; mark and revisit if time allows.
• C. Look up the term in a dictionary during the test.
• D. Ask the test supervisor for the term's definition.

Answer: (B)

When you see an unfamiliar term on the NJ test, the mindset is to use context clues and manage your time wisely. You can usually infer meaning by looking at the surrounding words and the way the term is used in the sentence, and by noticing prefixes, suffixes, or any examples given nearby. This helps you grasp enough about the term to move forward without getting stuck, and you can mark the item to return to later if time allows. Pacing is important on these tests, so pausing to deduce meaning rather than stopping to look it up keeps you moving and often well enough to answer the question.

Looking up the term in a dictionary during the test isn’t practical because it takes time and can derail your flow. Asking the test supervisor for a definition isn’t appropriate in the testing environment. Skipping immediately means you miss the chance to use context to inform your answer and eliminates the option to revisit the item later if time permits.