Have you ever wondered why some kids are good test-takers while others forget everything they learned and resort to biting their nails? Test anxiety can really cripple a student's progress, and it affects 16-20% of students. (Read more here)
Thankfully, there are some tried-and-true practices that can help even the most fearful test-taker…
First off, encourage your student to set study goals. Test anxiety can be reduced by practices put in place long before the day of the actual test arrives. Getting your student into a regular study schedule, even for small amounts of time, can pay off.
Secondly, ensure a sound understanding of the material. Sounds a little obvious, right? Not so. Students may seem like they fully grasp a concept but actually haven't mastered it yet. To check for real understanding, ask your student to teach the concept back to you, or see if they can explain it with manipulatives. (Color tiles, base 10 blocks, fraction pieces, geometric shapes, etc.)
Finally, encourage your student to ask questions! Remind them that there is no shame or embarrassment in not knowing. Larry Martinek, the creator of Mathnasium, is often quoted for saying this:
"Children don't hate math. What they hate is being confused, intimidated, and embarrassed by math."
If you're looking for a place that removes the confusion, intimidation, and embarrassment of math learning, then look no further than Mathnasium of Plainsboro.
We provide a safe, focused study place (helps build test-taking skills)
We offer professional math instructors who are ready to tutor students of all levels (again, helps build test-taking skills.)
We also love answering any and all questions students have about difficult math concepts and strategies (you guessed it- helps build test-taking skills!.)
Come join our local Mathnasium of Plainsboro family and build up those test-taking skills today! Call us today at (609) 716-6284 for a Risk-Free Assessment.
