California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

Which of the following practices can help improve focus during study sessions?

1. Listening to loud music

2. Setting specific goals

3. Multi-tasking

4. Studying for long hours without breaks

The correct answer is: Setting specific goals

Setting specific goals is a powerful strategy to enhance focus during study sessions. When students establish clear, achievable objectives, they create a roadmap for what they aim to accomplish within a defined period. This clarity provides direction and helps maintain concentration, as students can prioritize tasks and measure their progress against these goals. By breaking down broader study material into smaller, manageable tasks, learners can maintain motivation and avoid feeling overwhelmed, ultimately fostering a more productive study environment. In contrast, listening to loud music often serves as a distraction rather than a focus aid, multi-tasking can split attention and reduce effectiveness, and studying for long hours without breaks can lead to burnout and diminished attention over time. Each of these practices can undermine the ability to concentrate fully on the material at hand, making the establishment of specific goals a far more effective approach for maintaining focus during study sessions.