Many students with learning challenges struggle to demonstrate their knowledge on standardized tests, especially high-stakes assessments where a lot is riding on the outcome (e.g., college acceptance, scholarship award, private school placement, AP placement, etc.). Certainly, content mastery is a factor in student performance, but psychological considerations play a key role as well. Below are tips and strategies to help your child mentally prepare for any important test they take.
Put the Test in Context
It’s easy to catastrophize a high-stakes test (“If I don’t get my desired score on the SAT, I’ll never get into college!”). You know that no single test truly defines your child’s future, and it can help to make sure they also recognize that truth.
Prompt them to question their assumptions. For example, in the case of college entrance exams, they can take the SAT or ACT multiple times; likewise, they might consider applying to at least one test-optional school that doesn’t require entrance exams—a trend that more colleges are adopting.
For an important class exam, remind your child that rarely does one test determine the course grade. Encourage them to find out how much a particular test is worth in the context of the full class. Also, are there any options to get points for corrections after the test is graded?
When you talk about the test, be conscious of the message you convey. Focus on the process of preparing as opposed to a particular score you want your child to get.
Control the Controllables
When kids focus on what they can control, they develop agency (the ability to influence their surroundings) and put their energy toward achieving desired outcomes. Encourage agency by having your child write down their worries about the test and then decide together which concerns are within their control and which are not. For the worries your child can control, brainstorm actions they can take. Some favorites include these:
- Crossing out questions as they answer them to help their brain move on.
- Taking a few slow, deep breaths after each test section to calm anxiety.
- Getting a full night’s sleep and hydrating well in the days before the test.
- Finding an accountability partner for studying effectively and regularly.
- Practicing positive self-talk using an affirmation.
- Jotting down important information such as formulas as soon as they have the test in hand; this can serve as a reference while they work.
For any worries that are not within your child’s control (the test is hard, there’s distracting noise in the room, the proctor doesn’t give enough timing updates, etc.) remind them that everyone who sits for the test will also face those challenges. Then, work together to decide on a strategy to address them, knowing that sometimes the strategy will simply be to recognize the challenge, remind themselves that life isn’t always within their control, take a deep breath, and continue.
Make a Plan
Plans provide a sense of familiarity and control. In the case of a high-stakes test, having a clear approach to the test itself—from pacing to strategies for particular question types—helps your child move some aspects of test-taking onto the “within my control” list noted above. It’s also worthwhile to have a “test day” or “test week” plan:
- How will they prepare in the days leading up to the test?
- What time will they go to bed the night (or a few nights!) before the test?
- What time will they wake up on test day?
- What will they eat? (Make sure it has protein.)
- Is there a playlist that will get your child in a frame of mind conducive to performing well?
- What do they need to bring to the test?
The more detailed the plan, the less your child will have to worry about in the moments before the test.
Get Accommodations in Place
While this last topic doesn’t apply to every child, it’s important for those who need test accommodations. Both the College Board (SAT) and the ACT honor accommodations they offer that are formalized in school, but only if a student requests them. That might require planning on your part. For example, multi-day testing rarely makes it into a 504 Plan or an IEP simply because school tests are shorter than college entrance exams, but some students can’t sit at a desk and stay focused for three or more silent hours in a row.
If your child has a current diagnosis and any items on their list of controllables can be addressed with accommodations, work with your school’s testing coordinator to make sure you request them. (For more information on accommodations offered on college entrance exams click on the relevant link: College Board list and ACT list).
Once your child knows the accommodations they’ll have, help them take full advantage of them. Following are some ideas: 1. Extended Time: Decide how they will use this. Should they incorporate some mindful breathing breaks? Are there particular question types they now have time to go back and check? Can this time simply permit them to get distracted and bring their attention back without feeling badly or frantic about it? 2. Additional Breaks: What kinds of activities are best for these breaks? Some students need to move; others should hydrate; still others benefit from clearing their mind by deep breathing. 3. Separate Testing Location: For some students simply having this space is sufficient. For others, it’s important to have a separate space to get up from their seat.
Jenna Prada, a certified teacher and administrator, is the Director of Executive Functioning & Special Education at Private Prep and the Director of Learning at Sadar Psychological.