Dealing With The Stress Of Standardized Tests

Standardized tests are synonymous with stress, but they don’t have to be. The following tips can reduce tension on test day:

1. Prepare your child on test day. Teachers say students who struggle the most on testing days are those who don’t eat a good breakfast or have enough sleep. Complete any preliminary paperwork the night before and make sure any necessary tools – pencils, erasers, calculators, etc. – are in your child’s backpack before he or she leaves for school.

2. Encourage good study habits. Stay in contact with teachers to make sure your child is keeping up with their academics. Reading and critical thinking are essential to performing well on standardized tests. Support these behaviors by encouraging your child to read – whether it be books, magazines or even comics – and teach your child to think critically and voice his or her opinion.

3. Know what to expect. Make sure you and your child read any materials provided by the teacher or the school to familiarize yourselves with the test. Know the content, format, time constraints and testing location before the big day. Provide opportunities for practice but don’t let your child cram the night before the exam.

4. Don’t stress out. If you act stressed, your child will follow suit. Practice relaxation techniques together such as counting from 1 to 10 or taking slow, deep breaths. Tell your child to do his or her best and don’t fret over results or compare your child to other students.

5. Commend your child after the test, regardless of results. Tell your child you know he or she did their best and that their performance on the test isn’t a measure of how much you love them.

6. Remember, it’s just a test. “It’s important not to ‘make a big deal’ out of it,” says H.D. Hoover, senior author of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. “Standardized tests don’t judge everything about a student.”

RUSSELL BLAIR

SOURCES:

http://www.scholastic.com

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http://www.families.com