Standardized test season is upon us, and with it comes test anxiety and stress for students. To help avoid some of the unnecessary stress associated with this time of year, consider giving your child a little help in preparing for the test. Here are some tips to help your child be as prepared as possible for standardized achievement testing time.
1) Utilize Practice Tests
Practice tests are an invaluable tool before the standardized test date. Not only do they help the student practice the information on the test, but they also give them an idea of what the format of the test will be.
2) Get Proper Sleep and Nutrition
The night before testing, ensure the student gets sufficient sleep. Staying up late worrying or studying will not help. The morning of test day, have your student eat a breakfast with plenty of protein to ensure sustained energy through the testing period. Arrive early to school or the testing facility so your student feels refreshed and energized.
3) Get Some Exercise
Exercise helps the study time be more effective, because it releases endorphins and increases blood flow to the brain. Before a study session, have your student get a little exercise to prepare the brain to learn.
4) Consider Taking a Study Course
If you can, have your student take a study course or tutoring session designed for test prep for the test. These courses help cover the most important information for the test in a short amount of time.
5) Learn How the Test is Scored
While not a study tip, per-se, this is an important part of preparing for standardized tests, as it tells what to do if you don’t know the answer. Some tests penalize higher for blank questions, while others do not penalize if an answer is left blank. Learning how the test is scored will tell the student whether to skip questions he or she doesn’t know, or make an educated guess.
6) Use Solid Study Strategies
Does the test require recall of a number of facts? Use rhymes, sayings and songs to help you keep them straight in your head. Finding these options is half of the fun of studying for standardized tests!
If you are looking for additional help in preparing your child for any standardized test, Swan Learning Center has a number of test-prep services available. Contact us today to schedule a session with one of our tutors.
