Test Anxiety

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Permalink Reply by Janer on September 10, 2009 at 1:13pm

from a psychology standpoint, they suggest a few tools. One is to practice in as similar an environment as possible to the one where the test will be. So if it's going to be quiet, do the practice test or studying in a quiet room. talk to her teacher. see if you can let her do a practice quiz in the exact same classroom and desk that she will do the test. that would be ideal.

Memory is a funny thing. Recall comes easiest if the items went into memory in the same manner. If she's studying out loud, but the test is written, the recall isn't the same. Make sure you do the practice in the same way (written or verbal) as it will be tested.

Other than that, if those ideas don't help, i suggest you talk to the teacher and see if she can do tests in a quiet environment by herself. Even colleges and universities in Canada acknowledge that some people just freak on tests and allow students to take them alone if necessary. I hope the teacher is understanding. if not, talk to the principal.

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Permalink Reply by uomeasmile (Kim) on September 10, 2009 at 4:05pm

Absolutely involve the school -- you need them to partner with you. Even mild test anxiety can lead to self-esteem issues and academic success. I have a daughter who struggles with this as well. It started out with spelling and now has manifested into other areas academically. That is why I say intervene now. Just my two cents. This is my favorite website for info:

http://www.ericdigests.org/2005-2/anxiety.html

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Permalink Reply by Richie on September 11, 2009 at 6:17am

Thanks for the reply's. After she did her homework last night, we ate dinner, and I gave her a practice written test. She knew them all with no problems. This morning while she was getting dressed I went through the list of words verbally and she got them all right. Dropped her off at school about 30 minutes ago and wished her luck and told her how proud I was that she knew her words so well. I guess I will find out how she did about 4:30 when I get off work.

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Permalink Reply by Luis on September 18, 2009 at 5:03pm

My son is in the 2nd grade, Kim and Jane are right. But maybe just more practice , repitition and lots of encouragment could help aswell. It's happened to us I've tought my son his spelling words then he'll come home and tell me he didin't do so well . It irked me but After i few more tests Our methods started to work , and he did just as well in school as he did at home . Plenty of repitition and test her at home as well written and verbal. By the way you may be surprised how well she'll do after a couple of high fives and thumbs up at home after a successful practice test.

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Permalink Reply by Richie on October 15, 2009 at 11:13am

Thanks for the advice and support. The practice tests have worked like a charm. She does her homework while I cook dinner and every night after we eat I give her a practice test. The ones she misses she has to write 5 times a piece. The past 2 weeks she has gotten 100% on her practice test by Wednesday and going the same on the real test. I am amazed by her math ability. She really is a smart kid and I love to watch her learn and grow into a little lady. Its a blessing and I wish her mommy could see how well she is doing.

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