5 Tips for Taking Achievement Tests

If your child is nervous about taking achievement tests, there are simple steps to making this a stress free experience for your child.

As a home school mom, Achievement tests are a yearly thing in our house. Although we don't register through the state, our children still take achievement tests yearly. This allows us as parents to gage were our children are, and what areas they can improve.

A little tip to other home schoolers: You probably know exactly where your child is in their school work. Use the Achievement tests to prepare for college. There is no better time to prepare them for difficult tests, timed testing, and stressful situations than now. The easier they get at taking these steps, the better off they will be as ACT and SAT tests approach.

Begin Timing Tests

As you get near to the time for Achievement tests, you can help the stress level be at a minimum by timing tests. For some reason, the very fact of timing tests can really be stressful for kids. By getting them accustomed to having a set time to complete a test, they will begin getting used to this process.

It really doesn't matter which subjects you use for this process, although math and grammar are the best as they tend to be the hardest. It is important to remind your child of the length of time they have to complete the test. Don't tell them if they run out of time. After they turn in their test, let them know how much time has passed. Each time you do this, they probably will get better and better. It is all about practice and taking the stress out of it.

Give your Best

Every child has at least one subject they are good at. They may not like the subject, but they can excel at it. As these tests approach, remind your child of the importance of giving their best. These tests can be grueling so the more they give of themselves to do their best, the better they will do.

Some children just hate tests. Letting them know they are loved and as a parent, you just want them to do their best can really relieve stress from a child. Children should strive to give their best without the stress of worrying about such a big test.

Study, Study, Study

As parents, we usually know when our child struggles in a subject. That is a pretty good guess of what subjects they will struggle with on Achievement tests. If you can begin studying on that particular subject, even if it is ten minutes extra a day, your child will improve. The biggest part is just practicing.

There are study guides than can walk children and parents through the process of taking Achievement Tests. Each state has different rules and tests they require. Check to see with your school what free guides they have to help prepare your child. If you home school, make up the sample tests yourself!

Be Reassuring

For our kids, the fact that they have to take Achievement tests isn't so much a worry as actually finishing each test. Kids worry because they want to do a good job. As parents, we can assure our children just to do their best. The more relaxed they are when they take the test, the better off they will be.

Take Practice Tests

Although they won't be the same thing as Achievement Tests, give the kids sample tests where they have to do similar to what will be done on the actual tests. By doing this, they aren't afraid when they actually have the test in front of them.

Sample Test Ideas:

Spelling Words

Reading Material Plus Answer Questions about Reading

Math Problems

Science Questions