Spring is Here, And So Are Standardized Tests

Feb. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Spring is on it's way, and most of your 8th grade, freshmen, and junior level students know what that means...it's time for the annual barrage of standardized testing requirements.  

No matter where you live in the United States, there are always these kinds of tests on the horizon, at varying grade levels, but it seems as though the general time when they all start appearing is in the Spring.  Perhaps it is because the state's hope that they can prove their intellectual superiority after a full school year worth of learning, or perhaps it's because they all simply chose this time of year based on when they fit things in, but regardless, now is the time, and it's up to you to prepare.  

Whether you're a parent or a teacher, it doesn't matter.  Both parties have roles to play.  

“Teachers need to start focusing on teaching test taking skills early,” says Bob Watson, a teacher.  “The longer you have to practice taking tests and learning the little tricks that can help you on problems you can't solve, the better off your students will be.”

Mr. Watson is quite correct in this.  Studies have shown that those who take test preparation courses almost always score higher than their peers who have not been given the test-prep skills.  Teaching skills like speed reading, the process of elimination, and ways to determine what the questions are really asking can help students understand the philosophy behind the test, and can therefore help them manipulate the results.  

“Parents also have a huge role,” Watson says.  “Students know that these tests don't impact their grades directly, so they often don't try very hard.  The tests provide funding for students, determine what kinds of classes they are enrolled in, and can earn them scholarships, awards, and other benefits as well.  They don't always see the benefit since it isn't going to impact them right away, but there are a whole lot of reasons to perform well on these tests.  Only parents can really motivate them.”

Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are a little different than most, because that test more than any other will determine where students can go to college.  Other than these, however, students do not really seem to care one way or another about their performance on these tests.  Parents have the power, however to reiterate what is said about them in schools and help motivate students to earn good grades on these tests, which is really the most important thing.  

If a student guesses on the test, they are likely to only get about one out of four questions correct.  Those who try just a little harder should easily be able to double those scores.  

To learn more about test preparation skills like speed reading or process of elimination, read Mr. Watson's website at http://www.free-speed-reading.com/

# # #

To learn more about test preparation skills like speed reading or process of elimination, read Mr. Watson's website at http://www.free-speed-reading.com/