It’s test day. Your student has studied for weeks (or months), but things still go awry. They freeze, rush through the test, second-guess their answers, or find their mind wandering repeatedly. It’s frustrating for students (and parents), but the reality is many students struggle to perform their best when the test finally arrives—especially on high-stakes tests like the STAAR, SAT, and ACT. Below are three common reasons why students struggle on test day, and—more importantly—how to address each.
The Night before (and Morning of) the Test
The temptation to cram before any test is ever present, but no student can commit the complex concepts and test-taking strategies needed to do well on a standardized test to memory in one night. Even if your student is prepared, there are many things they could be doing the night before a test that are ultimately undermining their ability to succeed. Some of those are seemingly productive like taking just one more practice exam even if it cuts into sleep; others are more obviously detrimental like, watching videos on TikTok or Instagram until 2 a.m. The morning of the test also poses problems—getting lost on your way there, not getting enough to eat for breakfast, or having your phone go off during the test.
Of all the reasons students struggle on test day, these issues are the simplest to solve. The answer to each revolves around implementing impactful testing habits. Make sure your student eats a good, healthy meal and gets plenty of restful sleep; they leave early to get to the test with time to spare and remind them to turn their phone off before the test. If they insist on prepping the night before the test, have them focus on small things that will make test day simpler: Double check the drive time to the test center, have them pack their backpack, and lay out their clothes.
Testing Anxiety (and a Lack of Confidence)
A little bit of nerves before a test is completely normal, and some studies show that a reasonable amount can even be helpful, but a healthy amount of nervousness can quickly turn into test anxiety if your student feels significant pressure to do well. Even if it isn’t something your student regularly experiences, major standardized tests inherently make students anxious—your student almost certainly believes their future is partially tied to how well they do on their test. That, coupled with bad testing experiences in the past, inadequate preparation, and perfectionism can cause students to freeze during a test or second-guess every choice they make. The issue is that no one can fully access their best critical thinking skills while in fight-or-flight mode, so it’s important for students to know how to prevent or intervene in that stress response.
The first (and most important) step to combating test anxiety is making sure your student is confident with the material and the exam structure. We adamantly believe in test prep and the power of mock testing because they help students familiarize themselves with standardized tests, which typically translates into confidence. However, there might be other reasons a student isn’t feeling confident. They might have struggled on math tests over concepts that will likely be in this standardized test. They might also be truly worried that not getting a certain score means they won’t make it into their dream school. It’s important that your student is able to share these concerns with you, that you don’t undermine their worries, and that you reassure them that—at the end of the day—it really is just a test and their lives won’t be ruined (or made) by doing well on it. If, however, your student is still experiencing significant, persistent, and disruptive anxiety, consider speaking with a school counselor and mental health provider to make sure they receive the support they need to do well on a standardized test.
Inadequate Accommodations
By some estimates, 1 in 5 people in the United States have some form of learning disability. Much like testing anxiety, learning disabilities are incredibly common, and they can have a significant impact on a student’s ability to prepare for and do their best on a test. Remember, most standardized tests offer accommodations—like extended time—to students with learning disabilities, but it can take several weeks for those requests to be processed. The requests also depend on the student’s stated needs. If your student has a learning disorder, a medical issue, or a motor impairment, it’s essential to make sure the accommodations they are receiving are appropriate and adequate. If they aren’t, it can be incredibly challenging for your student to succeed, and it can also be challenging for your student to succeed if their test preparation doesn’t take these needs into consideration.
A Personalized Plan
At The Enrichery, we know that, while the test might be the same, what each standardized test taker needs to succeed isn’t identical. For your student to do their best on a standardized test, their prep and study methods must be tailored to make sure they have the tools they need to do well. If you or your student are unsure about how to go about preparing for the STAAR, SAT, or ACT, or if your student could use additional guidance about how to do better on test day, contact us today to learn more about the test prep services available at The Enrichery!
