Parent’s Point of View #109: Should I Prepare My Child for State Standardized Testing – 3rd-5th Grade

States administer these tests to fifth graders to assess how well every student performs compared to their peers. They also use standardized tests to determine the educational compliance of a public school with national standards. The test may also be used to determine if your child should get a sixth-grade placement or not.

Standardized tests vary from one state to another. They may also vary depending on the school that your child is attending. Nevertheless, your child is highly likely to be tested in math, language arts, and English. In math, your child may be tested for pre-algebraic concepts. Language arts and English may be tested for paragraph comprehension, paragraph structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Your child can also be tested for social studies and science.

Please don’t worry if your fourth grader seems stressed about tests. It is normal! Many kids of this age complain about upcoming tests. You should nevertheless seek help when your child is too stressed about tests or keeps seeking reassurance for things they already know.

Overcoming test anxiety calls for early preparation. You should help your child to improve their study habits and to redo assignments as a way of cementing their knowledge. Always be calm when they are doing tests and let them know that you appreciate their efforts. You can also encourage them to focus more on the questions that they understand.

Please help them to set a good study area and plan the best studying hours. Discourage them from cramming notes. Ensure that they study in small chunks; else, they will be overwhelmed and have increased text anxiety. Read loudly together and analyze what you have read together. Ensure they get enough sleep and eat healthy meals even as they study.

Ensure that they keep up with all schoolwork in the fifth grade. Stay in close contact with the teacher and notify them of any concerns. Use practice exams to coach them on how to handle actual exams. Ensure that they have a quiet study area and enough rest.

Third graders may have problems understanding questions and following test directions. They also quickly lose focus and may be in a rush to complete a test. Third graders are also highly likely to provide vague and incomplete answers due to poor concentration.

Be consistent by not interrupting their regular schedules such as eating, sleeping, and eating hours. Ensure that your child is comfortable when going to school. Please encourage them to read test instructions and follow instructions from their teacher closely. Coach your child on how to effectively and neatly fill in the bubbles. Encourage them to manage time by not taking too much time trying to figure out complicated questions.

Help them gather necessary materials the night before the test. Make sure they sleep early. Provide them healthy breakfast on the test day. After the test results are out, congratulate them for effort rather than grades. Also, please help them to review questions they got wrong and strategize how to get better.

Encourage your child to sleep early before test day. Let them play and participate in fun activities to release tension. Set realistic goals and let them know that failing an exam is not the end. Encourage them to be optimistic and always to have the right attitude. Reward their efforts with gifts and incentives.