Elementary Assessments and Exams: Info on Tests for Young Children

How to Help Your Child Prepare for Elementary Assessments and Exams

What Do Assessment Exams Typically Accomplish?

Your child may start taking elementary assessment tests as early as first grade. These assessments can judge how well your child has learned material. Elementary assessments are also useful in helping your child to learn how to prepare for and take tests in the future. Due to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, assessments are often used to judge the level of your child's school in relation to others.

What Skills and Habits Can I Help My Child With?

By teaching your child solid study skills, you can help him or her prepare for elementary standardized tests and for the many assessments your child will take in the future. First, if it's possible, create a dedicated study space for your child at home and keep it free of clutter and distractions like television and the Internet. Help your child maintain a regular schedule so that he or she gets used to learning and completing homework at the same time every day.

Taking notes and studying are learned skills that begin to have increased importance towards the end of elementary school. Sit with your child and help them learn to organize information. Go over your child's schoolwork with him or her throughout the school year. This will not only help your child, but also give you more insight into your child's learning needs.

How Can My Child Prepare for An Elementary Assessment Test?

One of the most common ways for your child to get ready for an elementary assessment test is with the use of practice exams. Get in touch with your state's Department of Education or your child's school to get practice tests or sample questions. Create an uncluttered, quiet testing atmosphere at home and time your child as he or she takes a practice assessment test. Go over the correct answers with your child and use his or her mistakes to judge the areas that need to be strengthened.

What Techniques Can I Use to Help My Child?

Teach your child how to make and use flashcards. Flashcards are mostly useful for assessments that require a lot of memorization, like math facts. Have your child write the math problem on one side of an index card, then write the answer on the other side. Your child can study by looking at the problems and checking on the back to see if he or she found the right answer.

If your child needs to take a reading comprehension test on a novel or story that was read in class, you can show him or her how to go through a story and review key events. Help your child write a summary of the story and then quiz him or her on the main ideas.

For all types of tests, encourage your child to start studying at least three days in advance. You can help your child by setting aside a 20 to 30 minute block each night for studying. You may also want to sit with your child to make sure he or she stays on track.

What Other Resources Might Help My Child?

If your child is struggling in elementary school, consider hiring a private, company or online tutor. There also learning, community and youth centers that may provide after school or weekend education services. Talk to your child's teachers to find out exactly what he or she needs.