Test Anxiety Strategies

 Test Anxiety Strategies

Here at Wheelock Elementary School, our third graders will be taking the MCAS testing next week.  

I thought I'd share some great strategies for any of our students who may get nervous.

Here are some helpful tips and hints:

1. Get a good night sleep

2. Eat a good breakfast

3. Create a personalized positive mantra for your child

- "I've got this!"

- "I am smart and I am prepared"

- "Everyone makes mistakes"

- "It's okay to take my best guess"

4. Help children to re-frame their nervous feelings:

If your child feels jittery or a bit sweaty, you can help re-frame this by telling them it's their bodies way of getting them excited for the challenge ahead.  Like an athlete getting nervous before a big game.

5. Make sure to myth bust: 

- Taking the MCAS has nothing to do with whether kids go to fourth grade or not

(some kids have this misconception for whatever reason)

- Also, remind kids that they can have all day if they need to, the MCAS are indeed untimed

6. Focus on the positives, most teachers do not give homework the week of MCAS

and there's usually extra recess.  

Also a little extra treat at home after their hard work never hurt anyone :)

Further resources/articles that inspired these strategies:

https://gozen.com/affirmations-to-bust-test-anxiety-rooted-in-science/

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/six-ways-to-help-kids-tackle-test-anxiety