How to Improve a Child's Standardized Test Scores
Standardized testing has become a fact of life for most school aged children and is also a common source of stress. Although they were originally designed to identify learning issues in children or ensure teaching standards were being met, they have evolved into many other uses. These tests can determine eligibility for advanced classes, graduation and admittance into college. Given the possible implications, parents should do everything possible to help their children do well on standardized tests. Here are some simple steps on how to prepare your child and improve test scores.
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Instructions
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Encourage children to read. Vocabulary and reading comprehension is a vital part of understanding test questions and providing intelligent answers. The easiest way to improve a child’s vocabulary is to encourage regular reading. Although many children don’t enjoy reading, their interest can be increased by finding titles that involve activities or hobbies they enjoy. For example, if a child is interested in video games or television shows about fictional characters, look for books in the fantasy section.
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Work on basic math skills. For many children, math is a complicated and frustrating subject. Unfortunately, this fear of math can start in the early years of school and can cause major problems when the child reaches high school. Find ways to work math into everyday life so that it doesn’t seem like school work. For example, ask the child to help in the kitchen by measuring out ingredients for a recipe. Doubling the recipe will force the child to use multiplication while cutting it in half will result in a use of division. While they will be practicing math, it won’t feel like homework.
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Practice taking sample tests. Standardized tests can be complicated and seem like a foreign language until a child gets used to them. To minimize test frustration, work on practice tests at home. Try making a test that asks about their favorite foods or places that they would like to go on vacation. This will give the child practice filling in answer bubbles and exposure to the format of standardized tests.
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Tips & Warnings
Choosing a book that has been made into a popular movie is a great way to get a child interested in reading.
Use a home computer to make a form that asks the child to darken answer bubbles to spell out their name. This is good practice for upcoming tests.
Make sure that children get a good night’s sleep prior to tests. Also, breakfast is extremely important on the morning before tests.
Talk with school officials about special test procedures for children with ADHD.
Don’t increase the child’s stress by telling them that the test is very important.
Never punish a child for scoring poorly on a standardized test.
