Springtime Is Test-Time: Helpful Tips For Parents & Students

Test time spurs anxiety for kids and parents alike, which is no surprise because testing has come to mean so much more than an assessment of progress. Tests and results set benchmarks that seem out of reach for too many kids. But testing remains a reality for most children, so ESN is helping students and families prepare effectively by:

• Providing “Saturday School” to help students in grades 3-6 cross the threshold to “proficiency”
• Tutoring in afterschool programs targeting areas of need for students
• Providing afterschool Regents exam prep courses
• Hosting a special family event with Rochester Discovery Charter School focused on working with families to prepare kids for test success

Here are some ways you can help your child prepare for successful test-taking. Download a helpful list here.

Test Time Do’s & Don’ts

• Make sure your kids eat well- this improves attention and concentration
• Encourage a good night’s rest before the day of the test
• Keep mornings pleasant - stress keeps kids from doing their best
• Have kids dress comfortably and wear layers to adjust to the room temperature
• Help kids get to school on time so they hear all instructions and have time to get settled in
• Don't schedule dental or doctor appointments for test days
• Don’t be too anxious about scores- just let kids know that tests are important work
• Don't underestimate your influence as a parent - helping kids prepare yield positive results

Test success, of course, isn't just knowing the material - strategies for tough questions, confidence, and time management play a role, too. Here are 12 Test Tips for students:

1. Review the whole test before and then budget your time
2. Listen closely to the teacher’s instructions and read written instructions very carefully
3. Answer every question, unless there is a penalty for wrong answers
4. Identify key words and underline them. This will help you focus
5. Rewrite hard questions in your own words, but be careful not to change the meaning
6. Use all the time that you are given – review your answers when you're finished
7. Try to think of the answer on your own, then see if your response is among the choices
8. Eliminate answers you know are wrong and read all choices before choosing your answer
9. Don’t change your initial answer unless you have a very good reason
10. Don’t get stuck on one question. Skip the question, come back to it later (be sure to leave that line unbubbled on your answer sheet)U
11. Use a ruler or folded piece of paper to keep your spot on your answer sheet
12. Stay positive and calm. If you start to feel nervous, take a few deep breaths to relax