Preparing for Standardized Tests
Help Your Tween Get the Edge and Score Well
It's about time for public schools to be gearing up for standardized testing. Help your tween build confidence and prepare for a spectacular score.
Most kids that attend public schools will have to take some sort of standardized test during their school career. These tests are often very important, and for some kids it means the difference between passing and failing a grade. Even kids as young as 9 or 10 are subject to taking these tests. Whether you agree with them or not, they are a part of life for most kids. As a parent, there are some things that you can do to help prepare and ready your tween to taking standardized tests.
Understand the Test
One of the first things you can do to help your tween prepare is for you to know and understand the tests that you child will be taking. If you know that your child will be required to take a math and reading exam in fourth and fifth grade, then get with the teacher or go online to learn exactly what will be asked of your child. Learn what the scores mean and understand how they are graded.
Watch Your Child’s Progress
The next thing you will want to do is to watch your child’s progress at school. Most standardized tests are given near the end of the school year. Teachers should work with the students to teach them the skills they need to pass. Talk to your child’s teacher about what is happening in the classroom to prepare. You should also find help for your tween if you see him struggling through subjects that will be tested. School sponsored tutoring is often available for students that are struggling and you should take advantage if it is offered. This is one of biggest ways that you can help your child prepare slowly throughout the year.
Know the Testing Dates
Next, look ahead on the school calendar and know when your tween will be tested. Make sure that you do not schedule any appointments for your child during this time. He will need to be present all day on the day of testing. Most schools will offer a make-up day for children who were absent on the day of the exam, but avoid absences unless absolutely necessary.
Be Positive
You will also help your child by staying positive. Try not to stress your tween too much about the exam. Chances are, your child is getting enough of that at school. Stay upbeat and offer plenty of encouragement. You need to mentally prepare your child and when you do this, you will find that he will be ready.
Get Ready for the Test
Last of all, prepare your tween on the night before and the day of the exam. Get your child to bed early and provide a good, healthy breakfast the next day. Also, send your child to school in comfortable clothing, a good lunch, and with all the necessary tools he needs such as pencils with good erasers.
Standardized tests are a way for the public school system to evaluate how well children are learning, and how well the teachers are covering necessary materials for each grade level. With solid communication with your child's teacher, there should be no big surprises of what will be covered on the tests. Do your best to help your tween succeed by staying informed.
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