After reading this blog post, you’ll learn the five mistakes to avoid when preparing for standardized testing. The pandemic has disrupted the education system but what about assessments? Some states have decided to skip the tests for 2021 while other states are still deciding.
Don’t wait to prepare your students, be prepared whether or not your decides to move forward with testing.
Standardized testing can be stressful but there are some things you can do to minimize the test and set your students up for success. Here a 5 mistakes to avoid when preparing:
1. Neglecting to explicitly teach test taking strategies throughout the year
Am I saying teach to the test? No. When students are familiar with test taking strategies it will help them to reduce their test anxiety because they have a strategy to use when they get stuck on their test.
Test taking skills are used beyond school so its important for students to learn and be able to use these strategies. In my adult life, there are numerous times when I have to take tests to demonstrate my knowledge. In episode 19, I talk about the google certification test and how to become google certified. This is an instance, where I needed to take a test and test taking strategies will come to be helpful.
2. Not simulating the test environment
Simulating the test environment will prepare students for what they will encounter on test day. If students are familiar with the testing environment they can focus on their test and not get caught up in the environment.
3. Not exposing students to practice test items
I did not know the power of exposing students of exposing students to practice test items. A former principal of mine introduced this to teachers and myself. It was eye opening because once we started doing it, we saw that some students got stuck with even understanding the question!
Once students saw the level of difficulty with the test questions, teachers had to encourage them and let them know they could do it.
4. Not teaching students how to use the technology tools in the test or that will be used in the test.
After proctoring multiple tests, I noticed that students did not know how to use the tools in the standardized test they were taking.
For example, something as simple as dragging and dropping, students not familiar with this will have great difficulty answering the question.
Some students, because they have never been taught how to use the tools like the highlighter function will sit there and play with the tool. So teach students how to use the technology tools within the test.
5. Not teaching students how to check their work/answers
I’ve seen this time and time again where students will not go back and check their work.
Teaching students how to check their answers will prevent them from making minor mistakes that can cost. Having students check their work on a continual basis is also best practice for instruction.
To sum it all up, preparing for standardized testing is something that teachers cannot take for granted. You’ll thank yourself when your students do well.
What are some effective ways you prepare your students for testing?