HOW TO PRACTICE  TEST TAKING SKILLS AT HOME

Simply knowing the content for a test doesn’t always ensure a good grade.

Teachers are required to assess a students’ knowledge and skills according to the curriculum, but the means of assessment are subjective.  Some teachers set up their tests with true and false, fill in the blank, essay questions, matching, and the ever popular ‘describe and explain’ questions.  Sometimes, it is the question itself, rather than student memory and understanding that determines the outcome of a test. 

Parents often say, “I don’t understand why my son did so poorly on the test.  He knew it at home when I tested him." 

He probably did!

What is important to understand here, is that the student has only learned how to retrieve the content in a certain manner.  He can answer simple, direct questions.  What he should do is understand the content ‘using different types of prompts’.

Here are some ways that your child can practice his test taking skills at home:

·         Have your child write out different types of questions that could be asked on the test (it would help if you knew the types of questions your child’s teacher usually uses on tests).  This will obviously make your child better prepared.

·         Have your child create ‘his/her’ version of what the test will probably look like.  This will give your child a different perspective towards studying for the test.

·         Look in the dictionary and explain to your child test words such as: identify, locate, choose, describe, explain, illustrate, and compare.

·         Finally, emphasize to your child how important it is to check over the test before handing it in. 

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