Assessment taking

Assessments Are Not Scary

September 24, 20242 min read

4 Essential Testing Tips for Elementary Students Every Parent Needs to Know!

I always tell my students that assessments are nothing to worry about. With a few testing tips for elementary students, they can approach each test with confidence. Assessments are just a way for teachers to see how much you've learned and to find out if we need to teach something differently. It’s not about getting everything right; it’s about doing your best. So, take a deep breath, relax, and remember that these tests are just one part of your learning journey.

Be Smart About Your Time

One of the most important things I remind my students is to watch the clock. You don’t want to spend too much time on any one question. Instead, budget your time wisely. If a question is too hard, it’s okay to skip it and come back to it later. Pacing yourself means you’ll have enough time to answer every question without feeling rushed.

Use the Passage to Help You

When it comes to reading passages, I tell my students to always go back to the text when answering questions. The answers are often right there in the passage, so take your time to find them. Don’t try to guess or make something up—refer back to what you’ve read to help you choose the right answer. This strategy will help you feel more confident in your answers.

Eliminate and Trust Your Gut

For multiple-choice questions, I teach my students to eliminate any answers that are clearly wrong. This narrows down the choices and makes it easier to pick the right one. After that, trust your gut feeling. Often, your first instinct is correct. Don’t overthink it—go with what feels right after you’ve ruled out the wrong options.

Keep Moving Forward

Finally, I encourage my students not to get stuck on any one question. With these testing tips for elementary students, they can learn to move on if something is taking too long, then come back to it if they have time. This way, they won’t waste valuable minutes on something tricky and miss out on answering questions they know how to solve. Remember, it’s about doing your best across the whole test, not just one question.

These simple strategies can make a big difference, and I’m here to help every step of the way!

Jamie is an experienced state certified and Orton Gillingham trainied teacher. She has helped many students overcome test taking anxiety.

Jamie Herman

Jamie is an experienced state certified and Orton Gillingham trainied teacher. She has helped many students overcome test taking anxiety.

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