Before the Test
Be prepared
Many teachers will send information home about testing schedules and class preparation plans. Information that you should know includes:
- What is the test and what will it measure?
- Will the test results affect your child, school, or both?
- Are there ways that you can help your child prepare for the test? (Narang, 2008).
Help your child in areas that are difficult for her
If your child has struggled with a particular area or subject in the past, you may be able to help her overcome some of that difficulty by providing some extra practice. Many workbooks target test preparation by offering practice exercises and questions like the ones students see on the test. Focus your practice on your child’s weaknesses rather than her strengths so that she doesn’t get bored with the exercises (Narang, 2008).
Give your child a chance to practice
If your child has trouble taking tests, try practicing test questions and studying new words. Your child’s school or the library may have some samples to use. Keep the sessions short, and set small, manageable goals so that the extra practice boosts your child’s confidence (Narang, 2008).
If you have concerns about the test or testing situation, talk with your child’s teacher
Discuss your concerns with the teacher and/or school administrator. If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, however, you can reach out to some other organizations that monitor testing, including your local PTA, The National Center for Fair & Open Testing or the ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation (Narang, 2008).
If you believe that your child’s difficulty with standardized tests may be the symptom of a problem such as a language or learning difficulty, speak with your child’s teacher to learn if your child qualifies for any assessment accommodations.
On Test Day
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast
Many teachers report that students who don’t do well on tests haven’t gotten enough sleep, and haven’t eaten breakfast on the morning of the test. Doing both of these things will ensure that your child is working at full capacity (Narang, 2008).
Make sure your child is prepared
Some schools may supply the tools your child needs for the test, such as pencils, an eraser, paper, and a calculator. Others may require the students to bring those materials themselves. Check with your child’s teacher to see if you need to provide your child with any of these materials. Also, check to see whether you child will be able to make up the test if she is sick on test day (Narang, 2008).
Remain positive
Staying calm will help your child stay calm. If she gets nervous about the test or is likely to experience anxiety during the test, help her practice some relaxation techniques that she can try once she’s taking the test (Narang, 2008).
After the Test
What about the results?
Assessments vary from test to test, but the test scores should include information that helps you interpret the results. Talk with your child’s teacher if you have any questions about the test results. You may also suggest that the school offer a testing information session to parents (Narang, 2008).
Review tests with your child
Help your child review any parts of the test that she did not understand (Narang, 2008).