Tackle your student's fear of tests

By CAROLYN SANDLIN-SNIFFEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 18, 2001

"My teachers say that tests are important learning tools -- that we should see them as a way to check our progress," says 14-year-old Mike. "But the only thing I've learned from tests is that I'm not good at taking tests."

"When I have a big test coming up," adds 13-year-old Danielle, "I worry that I'll fail, and it will affect my future goals. I get upset when I think about disappointing my parents."

Melissa, age 13, agrees. "No matter how much I study, I still panic, sweat and sometimes my mind goes completely blank. Maybe I'm allergic to tests."

Mike, Danielle and Melissa all suffer from common test stress ailments: memory lapses, churning stomach, sweaty palms and headaches.

It's amazing how the word test can send bright, capable kids into a tailspin, and many of these kids become so stressed by test anxiety that they perform well below their abilities. Where does this fear come from? Why do kids get so nervous? The most common causes of test stress include:

Fear of failing. High-stakes testing has increased enormously in the past decade, and an estimated 95 percent of America's school kids will face some type of standardized test this year. When children think that one critical test will make or break their school careers (being promoted or retained), they're not going to do well.

Fear of taking chances. Some students think that the only grade that matters is an A, and if they feel pressured to do perfect work, they will see every test as a mental meltdown. Successful test-takers look at exams as puzzles or challenges. They are willing to make educated guesses.

Being unprepared. When kids wait until the night before to start studying for a major test, they have good reason to feel panicky. Why? For one thing, they often cram late at night when they should be sleeping, and the lack of sleep causes reading speed and comprehension to decrease. The process of stuffing material into their young minds in one sitting can actually block or push out the things they've learned earlier.

Some children take to tests naturally, and many teachers help students prepare. But in this age of increased testing and keen competition, most kids need their parents' help to become effective test-takers.

Test preparation involves finding the balance between apathy and panic, and preparation at home can begin as early as the elementary years when parents encourage their youngsters to read, insist that they look up words they don't understand, teach them how to think things through and involve them in intriguing discussions.

But once a child moves into the middle grades, she'll need more structured help. Building a strong knowledge base is only one part of the equation for test-taking success; the other part is learning the essentials of organization. To cure those "I-gotta-learn-this-by-tomorrow" blues, help your child set up a system for remembering when tests and quizzes are scheduled.

A few days before an important test, have your youngster skim chapter titles, headings and summary paragraphs. A quick preview of study material will remind her what she needs to concentrate on.

After previewing and studying, ask her to "teach" you the material. If she can teach it, she has learned it. Hint: This is a great way to boost self-confidence.

For maximum thinking power, make sure she gets a good night's sleep two nights before the test (in case nervous jitters interrupt sleep the next night) and a light breakfast on the morning of the test.

Here are some simple strategies that kids can use for tip-top test-taking:

Come prepared with plenty of sharpened pencils or working pens.

Wear a wristwatch; most tests are timed.

Dress in layers. Classroom temperatures fluctuate.

Unless seats are assigned, don't sit near a friend. The tendency to look at each other and make comments can be interpreted as cheating.

Listen to the teacher's directions about how the test will be graded, time limits and whether there are penalties for guessing.

Read all instructions carefully.

Skim the entire test, then go back and answer the easy questions first. This buys more time to think about the tough ones.

Pause during a long test to stretch out tight fingers. To keep neck muscles loose and limber, turn your head in a slow circle. To relieve nervous tension, try inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

If stumped on an essay question, look at the key words and write something. Some credit is better than none.

When tests are graded and returned, don't wad them up and throw them away. Look over your test, and you may find a pattern to your mistakes. This will help you figure out where you can improve your study skills.

Remember, no single test result is the end of the world. By approaching tests in a positive way, test stress can be turned into test success.

Carolyn Sandlin-Sniffen teaches language arts and reading at Seminole Middle School in Pinellas County.

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