If you know me, you know I hate testing. (Except for a specific type of testing that provides valuable data to me – the educator). But I jumped into the whole classroom gig at a time when standardized testing was at an all-time high.
And, unfortunately, this is our reality.
I’m hoping that some day we can make our way back to things that actually matter. But it is what it is and we have to make do with the cards we’ve got.
Still, our students end up with the brunt of the test anxiety. So it’s our job – as the adults in their lives – to ensure that the stress and the pressure from testing doesn’t trickle down on them.
Here are a few things we can do – whether you’re the parent, the teacher, or the older sibling in their lives – to support our test-takers (ugh, I know) as they go through this difficult time of the year.
Talk to Your Child’s Team
If you are concerned about your child and the impact the test will have on his/her mental state, reach out to other members of the team. If you are a parent, reach out to the teacher. Schedule a meeting. If you are a teacher, reach out to an administrator. There are specific accommodations that students can qualify for – given certain circumstances – so make sure the testing coordinators know that your child may need a little extra lovin’.
Make Sure Your Child is Prepared
The more organized and routine their day is, the more likely they are able to focus all their cognitive attention on the test. When students are missing supplies – even something as trivial as a pencil – it can cause an unnecessary panic that can spill over into other parts of their day. It’s the simple act of being proactive. So that we don’t “lose a child” when we lose a pencil.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Talking to your child about day-to-day frustrations and ways in which we – as adults – manage our stress can be helpful for them. Practicing relaxing techniques (e.g. using a stress ball, mindfulness strategies, deep breathing) with your children during non-stressful times can make it easier for them to activate and use the strategies when they are feeling stressed.
Talk to Your Child
Every year, I check in with each of my students and make it very clear that I don’t believe that the tests are reflective of their intelligence. I tell them that the test doesn’t always measure what makes them so special and unique. The “evil test-makers” (our nickname for them) don’t know them the way we do – their teachers, their friends, their families. I do remind them, though, about what we have learned about persistence. Even when we don’t get to see the outcome of something and it may not affect us immediately, we still try our best. We go over strategies, relaxation techniques, and I address their questions and concerns. But I always let them know that, in the grand scheme of things, the test is just a teeny-tiny fraction of their education. And, though we apply our strategies and take our time and work with care, they are so much more than the test.
Questions of the Day:
- How did you get through state testing when you were in school?
- What other ways would you support students who get test anxiety?
My kids are taking their tests this week. I don’t believe in standardized testing, but I don’t opt them out – so they just get a good nights sleep the night before and I tell them not to worry and just do their best.
When in school I remember not minding the test. I was always well rested and ate a good breakfast before. For kids who have anxiety I would just tell them to take deep breathes and to just take their time.
Kristina Paché Ferency recently posted…FULLY LOADED OATMEAL COOKIES
Thankfully my little guy is still just a preschooler, but these are things I will try to remember when the day comes that he needs to do standardized testing. I remember how stressful those days could be.
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My 6th grader struggles with test days. Mostly just because he says he doesn’t want to let the school down. I have to constantly remind him that the school isn’t riding on his shoulders. And to just do his best. Its so much stress for these kids. Testing is important but some of these tests are overkill.
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How sweet of him to consider the whole school <3 I didn't even realize the impact my score would have on our school! Though things were a lot different back in my day...
Our school starts testing after spring break next week, I know it’s going to be rough for my 3rd graders since it’s their first year doing PARCC. In addition to all the tips you mentioned, eating a healthy filling breakfast is also super important!! =)
-Elizabeth
http://www.elizabethmaycelovelifebeauty.com
Healthy breakfast is so crucial. Even as a 30-year old adult, I know my day is off if I don’t get a nice hearty breakfast to start the day!
I hate standardized testing. My son takes longer because he is visually impaired but still gets tested with a standardized test.
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Thats all so true! My mom always did these things to prepare me to any kind of exams and it really did help! Will forsure pass on those tips to my kids`
I used to DREAD this time of the year! I was a straight-A student but when it came to these tests (and ACT/SAT) I bombed. There’s definitely some anxiety associated with these exams so I can appreciate your advice to practice relaxation techniques. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Test anxiety is so real. Even now while I work at the vet school, I see how some of the brightest people I know panic and underperform on tests simply because the atmosphere can be so stressful!
I saw that test and immediately flashed back to school! Even after all these years. These are some really great tips for parents. I really appreciate you talking to the kids about their intelligence related to tests. I was always so nervous during tests, I would get ill. All that pressure.
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My oldest kiddo is in kindergarten and I’m dreading when he starts these big standardize tests. I hate them! I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it – thanks for these great tips!
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We were fortunate to have a school that offered a lot of mock tests for the students. I definitely agree that preparation will have a big impact on confidence and anxiety.
Great advice here!!!! I can only hope my daughter does better at standardized test than I did! I always did so poorly compared to my actual school grades!
It’s true. The fact that there is such a disparity (for SO many students) is not a reflection of poor teaching or poor learning happening. It’s just not an accurate measure of intelligence.
My son tested last week. Some parents I know opted their kids out of testing. I’m not sure why this testing has to be so stressful. I make no big deal about the testing. Teachers happen to make a big deal out of it: Get good sleep/Eat good food/make sure you are not absent….I’ve always treated it like any other school day. Maybe I’m missing something but I always try and choose the SIMPLE route.
I think the problem that I see often is that the students I work with specifically are special education students. Students who may not learn in the same manner. Students who shouldn’t be expected to take the same assessment. It’s not a useful piece of data when a student who is taking a 4th grade test can’t read higher than a 1st grade level. I think it’s those situations that leave me feeling frustrated and angry at the system. It’s a waste of their time, it’s a waste of my time. It’s two weeks that could have been used for more intervention time with that student.
This is so true! Kids are tested far too much these days. The kids I taught in Hong Kong had so much pressure with exams and grades. I found it so sad. Thanks for sharing these tips!
I really don’t see the point in tests either! There really are other ways of assessing learning without the need for tests… and besides that, when, other than in school (or other education settings) are you really going to need to know how to perform in testing conditions? It just seems so unnecessary.
Part of my job is often speaking with students and brainstorming how they can lift their grades if they aren’t performing at the expected standard. I hear time and time again “I understand the material, I just don’t test well”. How is that a fair assessment of their learning?? I really wish there was a better way!
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So true. I know that the systems haven’t really allowed teachers to be more creative with their instruction and their evaluations of student work. But I think we have a responsibility to tell our students that we know it sucks and we know it’s not the best way to assess their understanding. Just because I play the role of a teacher, doesn’t mean I’m going to hide my true feelings about testing! Haha.
For sure!! I think on the other side of it, even though we don’t agree that it’s the best system, it’s still important to build the kids up and let them know we believe they can achieve good results… as in, making the most of the opportunity to show them that sometimes life isn’t always about doing what we want, and sometimes we need to overcome challenges to get us to where we want to go 😉
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Great tips! I’m about 2 years away from my first one getting into testing (I think), but it helps to know what they might expect. I was never a fan of standardized testing, but I guess there are not a lot of ways to keep track and/or measure progress and look for areas that need work.
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My son starts school next year and these test are what I am worried about. Noah is 4 and already a perfectionist. I am going to try explaining to him the way you did that it does not reflect everything, and sure does reflect half of whats important.
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My group of fourth graders this year are particularly nervous about state testing. My heart breaks for their nervousness! What you say about making sure parents talk to the teacher and everyone saying that one test is not reflective of their intelligence is right on! Another thing I do is present a test testing question every day all year, so the kids feel like it is so routine that they will not feel so anxious about what they might see. It helps!
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That’s a good idea. And it prevents you from feeling like you have to “teach to the test” the few weeks leading up to the state test. A little every day is much better than schools that crack down and have the month before be completely test prep.
I really hope we do reach a point again where there is less standardized testing. For now, the more we can do to prepare our students, the better. Talking to the students about what the tests mean and taking regular breaks that involved exercise and snacks made the biggest difference for my students.
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I’m not a fan of standardized tests, but I do think they are good to teach kids how to take tests if that makes sense. They need practice taking long exams to prep them for college testing, future career tests, etc. Some great advice on how to calm kids down – so important for teachers!
My daughter is a high school freshman and got anxiety before taking the PSAT. I try to remind her not to get worked about what she can’t control, and to remember all the hard work she’s done to prepare for this moment.
Test anxiety is so real. I’m glad you talked about this. Thanks for sharing.
These are all great tips! You can never be too prepared
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This is a great post on a tough topic, having been through this with one, you learn so much for the second. The stress for the entire family in this process is tough. Thank you for your insights.
I’ve tutored sophomores, juniors, and seniors for AP courses, SAT, and ACT. Their biggest fear was fear of the test itself. Their biggest weakness was their anxiety. It’s so hard to build up their confidence to these tests when they are always told their future depends on how well they do on these tests.
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That is a smart thought. What’s more, it keeps you from feeling like you need to “educate to the test” a couple of weeks paving the way to the state test. A little consistency is vastly improved than schools that split down and have the prior month be totally tested prep.