How to Prepare Students for Testing

While I don’t love what testing has become, the reality is that students will take tests for one reason or another for the rest of their lives. So how do we prepare students for testing?

I’m not talking about things like bubbling in answers, or eliminating choices that don’t make sense, although, those are important too.

And, I’m definitely not talking about weeks and weeks of test-prep, nor am I talking about teaching to a test.

I’m talking about how to get students in a positive mindset, and be the best version of themselves for testing situations.

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How to Prepare Students for Testing Situations

Use picture books with relatable characters
Keep it positive
Teach before testing tips and tricks
Teach during testing tips and tricks
Practice breathing techniques
Make an anchor chart

Picture Books

If you’ve been around here for awhile, you already know I love picture books. Fortunately, there are picture books for testing “season” too!

The Anti-Test Anxiety Society

Any book by Julia Cook, is a book worth reading. Her relatable characters, real-life problems, and practical solutions make each book unique, and perfect for so many age groups.

The Anti-Test Anxiety Society is no exception, and with a main character who gets really nervous about any test, students are sure to relate.

For me, the best part of the book is the focus placed on having the right mindset when it comes to testing.

The Big Test

If you read First Day Jitters at the beginning of the year, then your students will already be familiar with Mrs. Hartwell’s class.

Like so many classes, Mrs. Hartwell’s class has a BIG test coming up, and her students are all but thrilled.

Mrs. Hartwell offers her students some really great advice, and at the end of the book the students get to celebrate!

Testing Miss Malarkey

Testing Miss Malarkey is a little bit different than the others in that it’s more of the effect testing has on teachers, parents, and even the food served in the cafeteria.

Keep it Positive

With the pressures of high-stakes testing on teachers, it’s easy to pass along those pressures to students. However, using scare-tactics to try to get students to do their best often ends up back-firing.

Instead, I use the following positive affirmations to help students stay calm, relaxed, and prepared to do their best:

You are prepared.
We’ve learned and practiced all the skills you need.
Some questions will be hard or tricky. Take a breath. Re-read the question, and think.
You are ready.
I don’t expect you to be perfect. I expect you to try your best.
Just breathe, and try your best.

Keeping our environment as positive as possible, can really help students learn how to prepare for testing.

I also like using motivational pencils and bracelets as reminders that my students are brave, strong, and can do anything!

Teach Before and During Testing Tips and Tricks

As with most skills and concepts, I like to create an anchor chart with my students to help solidify whatever we’re trying to learn.

Below is an example of the anchor chart I make with my students.

We use ideas we’ve learned from the books we’ve read, and videos we’ve watched (BrainPop).

Focus and Breathing Techniques

A week or so before testing begins, I use two specific videos from GoNoodle to help us learn to stay focused and breathe. I’ve found these videos, and the routine of using them right before we take a practice test, really helps my students learn how to prepare for testing.

If you’re not using GoNoodle, you’ve really got to check it out. It’s free (although, there is a paid version – which I don’t use), and has so many different brain breaks and learning resources. Seriously, I cannot say enough wonderful things about GoNoodle.