Did you know that, on average, students will take around 112 required standardized tests throughout their school career between kindergarten and 12th grade? That’s about eight standardized tests per year for the average student! 

If you’re the parent of a school-aged child, these numbers probably won’t surprise you at all. And as we approach the spring, end-of-year testing is just around the corner, typically in May. High-stakes testing can be very stress-inducing for students, as they may have struggled with tests in the past, be aware of the test’s impact on their grades, or have high expectations of themselves. 

Even the best students can use support when preparing for end-of-year testing, so Best in Class Education Center has put together a list of tips to help your child gear up for their best test results.  

5 Ways Your Child Can Prepare for End-of-Year Testing 

1. Encourage Studying for a Short Period Each Day 

When studying for tests, students should study in small doses, around 20-30 minutes per day for several weeks or months, instead of cramming all of the studying into one night right before—a sure recipe for anxiety and uncertainty. Study breaks are also helpful for focus, retention, and getting through study sessions. 

For younger students, review core skills for subject areas with your child a bit at a time. Ask your child’s teacher for feedback on areas to focus on during study time with your child and any study resources they might recommend. 

Many high school students will soon tackle their college entrance exams, like the SAT or ACT. To prepare for these crucial tests, small, consistent daily efforts and enrolling in a test preparation program, like the one several of our centers offer, can help boost your student’s confidence and scores. 

2. Have Your Child Take Practice Tests 

Practice tests are available online for many state assessments. Your child’s teacher may also have study packets with practice questions they can provide you to work on with your child. 

For college entrance exams, you can easily access practice assessments for your child on the College Board website. Practice tests allow students to familiarize themselves with the types of questions on the test and fully immerse them in the test experience. These mock exams also enable students to learn from their mistakes and identify specific areas on which to focus their studying for improvement.

3. Help Your Child Develop a Growth Mindset 

After taking a practice test, your child may have gotten a score they aren’t pleased with or one that doesn’t match up to what they would like to receive on actual test day. Remind them this is why they are studying! 

You can help your child understand that their knowledge can grow over time based on the efforts they put into their study time and practice test taking. How students perceive their abilities has a lot to do with their achievements. Students tend to perform poorly when they believe their knowledge and intelligence are fixed (“I did horribly on this test because I’m not smart”).  However, the student with a growth mindset (“I can get better at this if I keep trying”) is more likely to approach testing positively and perform better. 

4. Encourage Your Child to Stick to a Healthy Diet, Sleep, and Exercise Routine

Preparing for end-of-year testing physically is just as important as preparing for it mentally. Help your child by supporting them in sticking to a nutritious diet high in lean protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. Foods higher in sugar tend to cause crashes, which can disrupt sleep and good study habits that have already been formed. 

Support your child by keeping them to a bedtime so that they can get adequate sleep several weeks and nights before big testing days—the last thing you want is for your child to feel foggy-brained on test day. Encourage your child to stay active, too, as good physical activity improves mental clarity and focus. 

5. Set Goals and Rewards 

Like anything else we work to achieve in life, it is helpful to set small goals for test preparation to measure progress and celebrate gains made. For example, set a small goal with your child to study for 30 minutes each evening before or after dinner five nights a week for two weeks. Predetermine a reward together to ensure it excites them and keeps them motivated. Getting your child involved in the goal-setting and reward process will help them stick to their study schedule and own the results of their efforts. 

Prepare Your Child for End-of-Year Testing with Best in Class Education Center

As the end-of-year testing season approaches, it’s essential to take proactive steps, like the ones listed above, to ensure your student is well-prepared for their exams. At Best in Class Education Center, we’re dedicated to providing the support and resources your child needs to excel on their exams and achieve their academic goals in grade school and beyond. Whether it’s SAT/ACT prep, private tutoring, or math and English enrichment, we have the programs and expertise to help your child thrive.