Test Prep Strategies for Elementary Students

We always want to be prepared for all things in our classroom, but one thing that is sometimes challenging but essential is being prepared for State Testing. Today, I am hopeful that I can provide a few test prep strategies for elementary students and ideas to inspire you. If your students are getting ready to take the state tests, you may be wondering what you can do to help them prepare. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do. Test prep is important for students of all ages and learning levels.

There is more that goes into test prep than just the material itself. For example, many students get nervous about tests or have a difficult time concentrating. Over the past 15 years, I have been in testing grade levels. I believe that bombarding students with practice tests is NOT fun for the teacher or the students. Therefore, as a teacher we want to focus on growing our students and not overwhelming them. If you have been teaching the curriculum all year and working to grow your students, you have been preparing them. However, it is natural to feel the need to prepare, as we do for anything in life.

Test Prep Resources You Will Love Using

I have created resources that takes the pressure of everyday testing practice. Many of my activities are interactive activities that tests students on the same skills but in different ways. For example, I use higher level thinking skills to check for understanding of skills.

You can check out a variety of resources I use to be successful and prepare for test prep!

Reading:

Reading Test Prep Bundle take a peek at everything in this amazing bundle!
Reading Comprehension Passages
Test Prep Motivational Lapbook

Writing:

TAKE A PEEK AT ALL THE TEST PREP RESOURCES HERE!

5 Testing Strategies for your students

Spend time doing daily reviews: Preparing for exams can be overwhelming, especially for children in younger grades. Rather than dumping all of the practice tests on them at once, it’s important to spend time reviewing one area each day. Here are some tools that can help your students: Click here to preview.
Focus on trouble areas: Are you finding that more of your students are struggling with math? If so, you will want to focus on this a little bit more during your test prep.
Teach kids test taking strategies: Give them tips on what to do when they feel unsure of an answer, such as making their most educated guess and moving onto the next question. I developed some strategies that help my students. Seeing these displayed is often a simple reminder for them. Click Here
Focus on the positives: Remind the students how far they have come this year. Have them write out all the things they are proud of knowing and learning. Get students to create motivational quotes to motivate each other. I use these Growth Mindset Posters and let them create their motivational posters, they enjoy this.
Ask for help from parents: Let them know when you will be doing your state test preparation and ask them to make sure that their child is well-rested and eats a well-balanced breakfast. You will want to do the same thing during the week of state testing. Parents appreciate these tips.