Top 7 Tips For Testing

It’s that time of year. The academic year is winding down and teachers are prepping their students for testing whether it is standardized tests, finals or college prep. To further prepare, the learning and teaching department of St. Cloud Area School District have put together some helpful tips for parents and students.

1. Share enthusiasm for reading, solving puzzles and discovery with your children. Make prep time fun! Get out a puzzle, find word riddles online and do them together. Make teams and games and have it be a friendly family competition. Try taking turns reading books.
2. Provide students with a quiet study area. Designating a specific quiet area for a child to study allows him or her to concentrate and focus.

   

3. Encourage good study habits, setting aside a time every day for reading and homework. Routine, routine, routine! Setting aside a specific time every day sets expectations for students and gives them the opportunity to plan their downtime around it.
4. Talk to teachers and the principal if you have concerns about your child’s progress. Teachers are a significant resource for parents. Teachers are able to provide insights on study habits, behavior patterns and engagement.
5. Give students the opportunity to become familiar with the format of the test. Often times standardized tests will have sample tests online. An example: the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) samplers can be found at PearsonAccess.
6. Encourage students to answer all test questions. Talk to students about the importance of trying to answer a question and not just skipping over a question. They may just get it right!
7. Have students get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious, protein-filled breakfast before taking a test. Rest and nutrition are a big part of the brain’s capability to be focused, sharp and alert!

With testing season, there can be a heightened sense of stress for many students and their parents. Worries about scores and performance can take their toll. You may not be able to erase the anxiety of testing season, but with these seven tips you may be able to ease stress and anxiety and help them shine instead.