Category Archives: Testing

Do Standardized Tests Kill Reading Skills?

Posted on by
Reply
Share

As the number of students that take standardized tests rises, the number of parents criticizing these tests is also rising…

Nearly every standardized test includes a reading component. On the typical test, students are asked to read a small selection or excerpt and then answer a short series of multiple choice questions about the material. On the surface, this methodology makes sense: By having students read a selection and answer questions about it, we can determine their reading comprehension abilities in order to measure improvement.

But what if this method is killing the art of reading?

In a recent New York Times article, two parents argue that our standardized testing methods are disastrous to students. Their anger with standardized testing came on New Year’s Eve when they and some friends of theirs decided to take the practice English test that their son had been assigned for homework. Since 3 of the 4 parents were PhDs, they were pretty confident that they’d be able to pass the test with flying colors. Instead, they never made it past the first question: Continue reading →

The New Academic Skill Set: Testing

Posted on by
Reply
Share

In today’s test-crazed education culture, the ability to test well is a vital academic skill. At C2 Education, we see hundreds of students each week who agonize because they are skilled students but bad test takers. Many students who do very well in daily classroom activities and homework assignments come home devastated by bad test scores. Many straight-A students who have every reason to expect high SAT scores are sent into a tailspin by below average scores. And many students who pass every quiz with flying colors struggle to squeak by on annual standardized tests.

The fact is that testing requires a skill set that is separate from the skills needed to succeed in the classroom. Scoring well on tests – especially high stakes standardized tests – requires much more than mere knowledge. In order to perform well on tests, students must also be able to manage their time well, read and evaluate test questions quickly, and, most importantly, handle anxiety and stress well.

The bad news is that schools don’t teach students how to take tests (even though schools are graded by how well their students take tests). The good news is that there are things you can do to help your child learn to test well:

  • Encourage them to read. Regardless of the subject matter, every test requires that students be able to read and evaluate test questions very quickly. The only way to master that skill is to read often!
  • Don’t freak out. If you exhibit stress and anxiety over tests, your child will, too. Many students bomb tests because they cannot handle the stress that is inherent in high stakes testing. The key to success is to mitigate their stress, no to add to it!
  • Practice, practice, practice. Most tests – especially standardized tests – are timed, which requires that students familiarize themselves with working under time limits. Get your child to practice completing assignments or practice tests under timed conditions.
  • Don’t allow cramming. Not only does cramming increase stress levels, it isn’t an effective way of mastering the necessary material. Make sure that your child spends plenty of time studying – not just the night before the test!
  • An early bedtime. Tired brains don’t do well on tests. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before a big test.
  • Feed them well. We are what we eat. Certain foods will hinder your child’s brain function while other foods will help!
  • Get them the right help. If you’ve tried everything and your child’s test scores just don’t seem to improve, don’t hesitate to seek outside help. C2 Education specializes in helping bright students overcome testing anxiety in order to perform well on standardized tests; we can help your child develop the necessary foundation of skills for success.