“Take out your number two pencils.” Again. Your child probably hears this phrase often. A study by the Council of the Great City Schools found that a typical student takes an average of 112 mandated standardized tests between pre-K and graduation.
The results of these tests are taken very seriously by educators, parents, and administrators. Sometimes they even affect a child’s future placement in school. While our children have more academic opportunities than ever before, they also have more demands.
“Pressure by parents and schools to achieve top scores has created stress levels – beginning as early as elementary school – that are so high that some educators regard it as a health epidemic,” says Denice Clark, author of Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy, Successful Kids.
Yet, as schools continue to raise the academic bar, few offer instruction on how to effectively study for tests. Luckily, parents can encourage these important skills at home.
Engaged Learning and Efficient Note Taking Improves Test Scores: Jay Klusky, Ph.D., author of Easy A’s: Winning the School Game, says active learning involves only two things: “getting information into your head and getting it back out again.” Without the ability to comprehend and then retain what is being taught, your child will likely miss key information.
Experts say that kids can train themselves to actively watch for clues about the information that may appear on a test.
Parenting coach Ronit Baras says most teachers drop hints about what might be on the test. Some hints may be obvious, like your teacher telling you, “Pay attention to this because it will be on your exam.” Some will be less obvious, such as the repetition of stressed information in lectures and on homework, since teachers will repeat the concepts they value.
Another necessary skill for high test scores is active note-taking, which enhances memorization. Using a recall column can make this process easier. Draw a light vertical line about 3 or 4 inches from the left margin. The right side of the line is for lecture or reading notes. After class, the student should digest, extract, and record key information into the left recall column while the topic is still fresh. (This process will reduce study time later.)
As the test approaches, use the recall column to make flashcards or invent sample test questions for key points. (Students who prefer to do this electronically can use websites like Quizlet or Canva.)
Experts suggest a loose-leaf notebook for upper-grade students so they can easily remove pages or change the order. The process would be the same for students too young to have lecture notes. They would just use any information provided by their teacher or in books.
Repetitive, Scheduled Studying Increases Confidence: As test dates approach, many students experience anxiety or dread. As a student pulls out all of his notes, homework, and textbooks, he sometimes becomes overwhelmed or discouraged. Make the process more manageable by encouraging him to break down relevant information into smaller pieces that can be reviewed a little each day.
Klusky says one key to effective studying is to review material actively rather than passively, a practice he calls “active encoding.” With this method, the student digests the information and then turns it into something else entirely.
Examples include teaching someone else what you’ve learned and reworking information into your own words. “Instead of just highlighting and going over your material repeatedly, try to really memorize it by asking questions that demand you pull the information back out of your head again,” he explains.
Experts agree that it is far better to study for shorter periods over more days than it is to cram a significant amount of study time into a limited number of sessions. It is usually beneficial to tackle difficult topics first.
Rotate a combination of various active exercises, such as reviewing old homework for future test topics, working with flashcards, and answering your own essay questions. Remember that practice increases confidence.
Test-Taking Tricks: Arm your student with a watch, several sharpened pencils (if the test isn’t digital), spare batteries for calculators, and a positive attitude. Remind him that he is well-prepared and can use the test as an opportunity to show off his hard work. Studies show that children who use relaxation techniques do better on tests. Teach your child deep breathing and encourage him to use this skill if he starts to tense up.
Encourage your student to do the following on any test:
- Carefully but quickly read each set of questions twice to ensure he understands what’s being asked of him. If not, immediately ask for help.
- Scan the test for any sections that are worth more points. Complete those first.
- Finish the easiest questions in each section first, saving the hardest and most time-consuming for last.
Achieving success in any activity means learning, fine-tuning, and finally mastering the skills involved. Studying is no different than learning a new sport or musical instrument. Yet, children often receive more help with their fastball than with preparing for the exams that could impact their academic futures.
These small shifts may mean greater competence, less anxiety, and eventually, higher test scores and grades.
Shannon Dean is a freelance writer and the mother of two sons. She specializes in writing about families and women’s health.
