TEST-TAKING REMINDERS

• Reassure your child that he or she does not have to answer all the questions correctly to pass.  It is not expected that students answer every question correctly.

• Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blanks.  Encourage your child to make the best choice possible.  Students can get partial credit on the open-ended items.

• Remind your child that the test is important.

• Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely.  If your child gets stuck on a question, encourage him or her to make the best choice or place a mark in the test booklet by that item and go back to it after finishing that section of the test.

• Make certain your child gets a good night's sleep and a good breakfast each day before taking the test.

• Try to make the morning of the test a pleasant one.  Do not add to your child's stress.

• Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions to each question carefully.

• Encourage your child to stay focused on the test, even if other students finish early.

• Remind your child that it is OK to mark in the test booklet as a help in taking the test (i.e., underlining important words, etc.), but to mark all answers on the answer sheet.