Does Your Child Have Test Anxiety?

Take a second to remember what it feels like to sit down in front of a test. Information that you may or may not remember, a strict deadline, and absolute silence in the room — all of these factors can create a stressful experience for your child. At Orlando private schools, we know that test anxiety can make it hard for a child to show what she knows. Find out how you can help her shine.Know The Test FormatHumans have a natural fear of the unexpected. Once your child has found out what the test format will be, it can relieve some fears and help her feel more prepared.Consider Possible QuestionsNow that you know what form the test will take, begin preparing practice tests. The more your child practices sitting down, answering questions, and pacing herself, the more comfortable she will feel when it’s test time. Start thinking of potential questions or topics to help your child improve her confidence and gain mastery over the material. For multiple choice: Suggest that she creates flashcards, either manually or digitally on a website like Quizlet. Digital flashcards may be best so her hard work isn’t lost, especially if there will be a cumulative test later on. For word problems: She should practice writing out her answer ahead of time. By looking at problems from previous homework assignments, she can see what’s already come up or create her own word problems based on different topics.For essays: Your student should make a detailed outline of all the points she plans to discuss, and then memorize that outline, possibly with flashcards. If time allows, she should practice writing the essay after memorizing the outline.Use Good NotesSometimes, test anxiety can come from feeling as if your available study materials are inadequate. If your child struggles with taking effective notes, help him organize them later on, and suggest new strategies to try, such as breaking the page into two columns, numbering different sections, color coding, or doodling relevant pictures while he studies.Plan in AdvanceIf he’s able to, have your child get a list of important test dates at the beginning of each semester. This way, he can create a study schedule well in advance and eliminate last-minute stress.AccommodationsSome students are eligible for test-taking accommodations! If your child continues to struggle with test anxiety, consider meeting with his teacher to find out how you and his school can help him succeed.Our blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about Orlando private schools, contact us at 407-246-4800.