Tests
are
a
big
part
of
school
life,
more
so
today
than
ever
before
with
the
emphasis
on
meeting
higher
standards.
Today’s
tests
not
only
tell
students
how
well
they
are
doing
and
where
they
need
to
improve,
they
also
allow
teachers
to
identify
where
the
curriculum
needs
to
be
fine
tuned.
So
if
tests
are
so
helpful,
why
do
they
cause
some
children
so
much
anguish?
Any
test
that
requires
students
to
show
their
best
work
is
likely
to
produce
some
jitters.
However,
when
those
jitters
produce
extreme
preoccupation
with
failure,
sleeplessness,
trembling
hands,
stomach
pains
or
feeling
faint,
your
child
is
likely
experiencing
"test
anxiety."
According
to
the
U.S.
Department
of
Education,
students
who
suffer
from
test
anxiety
tend
to
worry
about
success
in
school
and
may
be
extremely
self-critical.
Instead
of
feeling
challenged
by
the
prospect
of
success,
they
become
afraid
of
failure.
This
makes
them
anxious
about
tests
and
their
own
abilities.
Simply
encouraging
them
to
stop
worrying
usually
doesn’t
help
ease
their
concerns.
If
you
find
your
child
tends
to
experience
anxiety
prior
to
tests,
here
are
some
things
you
might
try:
-
Encourage
your
child
to
study
over
a
period
of
time
rather
than
"cram"
the
night
before
an
exam.
This
becomes
particularly
important
with
end-of-the-year
tests,
many
of
which
are
reflective
of
the
content
that
has
been
taught
throughout
the
year.
Test
preparation
should
be
more
like
a
review
than
a
stressful
attempt
to
learn
a
year’s
worth
of
curriculum
in
one
night.
-
Try
to
keep
your
talk
about
tests
casual
(while
driving
in
the
car
or
preparing
dinner,
ask
how
your
child
feels
about
an
upcoming
test).
Children
are
more
likely
to
open
up
about
fears
or
anxiety
in
less
confrontational
situations
rather
than
when
face-to-face.
-
Meet
with
teachers
or
a
guidance
counselor
to
discuss
your
child’s
progress.
They
can
suggest
activities
to
do
at
home
to
help
prepare
for
tests
and
improve
your
child’s
understanding
of
schoolwork.
-
Stay
well
informed
about
your
child’s
tests.
-
Know
how
different
test
results
are
used
and
how
they
will
affect
your
child’s
placement
in
school.
Many
content
area
tests
and
projects
count
for
a
percentage
of
the
year’s
grade
and
can
determine
whether
a
student
passes
or
fails
a
subject
area.
Others,
like
the
eighth
grade
state
tests,
are
designed
to
show
how
well
students
have
learned
information
in
different
content
areas
throughout
the
middle
school
years.
Students
who
score
below
a
certain
level
will
not
be
retained
because
of
their
grade.
Scores
from
these
tests
are
used
by
teachers
to
determine
whether
students
will
need
remedial
help
to
prepare
for
the
more
challenging
content
in
high
school.
-
Don’t
dismiss
the
test
as
unimportant.
At
the
same
time,
let
your
child
know
that
it’s
his
or
her
effort
and
not
the
final
score
that
really
counts.
Before
the
test,
make
sure
your
child:
-
Gets
a
good
night’s
sleep.
-
Eats
a
wholesome
breakfast.
-
Dresses
comfortably.
-
Is
on
time
to
school.
-
Has
all
necessary
materials
(pen,
pencil,
calculator,
etc.).
-
Avoids
stressful
situations
(such
as
arguments)
prior
to
testing.
During
the
test,
encourage
your
child
to:
-
Ask
questions
of
the
person
administering
the
test
if
unsure
what
is
being
asked.
-
Answer
questions
completely
and
in
detail.
-
Check
to
be
sure
no
questions
have
been
skipped.
-
Proofread
answers.
-
Avoid
becoming
distracted
by
other
test
takers.
-
Silently
repeat
calming
phrases
such
as
"This
is
only
a
test,"
"I
don’t
have
to
be
perfect,"
or
"I
can
be
nervous
later,
but
now
I
have
to
concentrate
on
the
test."
-
Take
a
few
deep
breaths,
get
up
to
get
a
drink
or
to
sharpen
a
pencil,
shift
seating
position
or
stand
to
stretch.
-
Don’t
worry
about
who
finishes
first
or
last.
-
Go
back
and
proof
answers
again
if
finished
early,
but
don’t
change
anything
unless
sure
of
the
change.
Studies
show
the
first
answer
is
usually
the
right
one.
Suggested
reading
for
parents
and
students
Ready,
Set,
Relax:
A
Research-Based
Program
of
Relaxation,
Learning
and
Self-Esteem
for
Children
by
Jeffrey
S.
Allen,
Roger
J.
Klein
-
This
book
for
families
teaches
how
to
use
visualization
and
breathing
techniques
to
overcome
difficult
situations.
Don’t
Pop
Your
Cork
on
Mondays:
The
Children’s
Anti-Stress
Book
by
Adolph
J.
Moser,
Dav
Pilkey
(Illustrator)
-
This
book
written
for
kids
(ages
9-12)
talks
about
the
causes
and
effects
of
stress
and
offers
practical
approaches
and
techniques
for
dealing
with
stress
in
daily
life.
