5 Test Taking Tips for Teens

Everyone has heard the same test taking tips for years. Get a good nights sleep. Get a decent breakfast. I want to share some test taking tips that I have used that are very effective and easy to do. As the “Common Core” battle rages on in the academic world, here in Arizona it’s once again standardized testing time. I really do not want to get into the pro’s and con’s of standardized testing or my personal opinions on things like “Common Core”, so instead I would like to focus on actually taking the test and some test taking tips for teens that we sometimes may overlook.

After walking hundreds of teenage boys through projects, S.A.T.’s and finals, here are 5 sure fire test taking tips that will help your teen perform at their best.

1. After dinner, the books go away and study time is officially over. This might sound counter productive to getting a good grade, but the truth is our brains need down time. They need to recharge and for all the information to settle down in their memory. Proper test preparation should allow for a study free night with no issues.

2. Engage the student. Here’s what I mean, talk to your teen. Become their study buddy, if just for a few minutes each day. I think when we get them talking about a subject they are more likely to retain that information. Using another sense, sight AND hearing, the information is all the easier to recall during test time.

3. Talk about the test. Teens are human beings and they need conversation, reassurance, and comfort, just like anyone else. I always make it a point to check in regarding a test. A few simple questions like, “How are you feeling about the test?” or “Are you stressed out yet?” can really get a conversation started and allow your teen time to vent his or her frustrations.

4. Let them know their best is good enough. From fear of failure to parental disappointment, testing can be stressful. I feel like it is important to let your teen know that while you always expect greatness from them, their best is good enough. Students grasp concepts in different ways. Remember that a lower grade may not be a sign of slacking off or poor studying, sometimes it was the best that student could do at that time, given those circumstances.

Before every test I tell me daughter, “You know these tests are just about judging where you are compared to where you need to be, right? You’re grade just tells us where we need to work harder or concentrate more on. Just do your best and that’s enough for me.”

5. Say the words. No matter what happens, your teen NEEDS to know that your love is not conditional to their GPA. Many parents are often surprised when I tell them to literally say the words, “I’m proud of you.”

Your teen saw a task in front of them, prepared for that task, and then gave it their all. They didn’t run away, and they didn’t try to get out of it. In this day and age that means something to me.

Check out some more test taking tips of at www.testtakingtips.com for more information.

 

Nick Wilkinson
Child Abuse: The Ripple Effect, now available on KINDLE.