Fourth Grade Exam and Test Prep Strategies

Fourth Grade Exam: Preparation Tips

Pay Attention

Starting with their first day in the fourth grade, talk with your child about the importance of paying attention in class. Many students struggle in school and have difficulty performing on assessments because they don't actively listen to what is being taught or engage themselves in the lessons. Your child should understand that paying attention will often lead to greater comprehension of the math content he's expected to learn in class and help him pass the tests. One way he can pay attention and actively participate in the classroom lessons is to take detailed notes, which can be used later for reviewing and studying.

Complete All Assignments

To prepare for the fourth grade math exams and tests, your child will also need to complete all of her classroom and homework assignments. Doing this work provides her with opportunities to apply the math skills she's been taught in class. The math assignments teachers give students often serve as early assessment tools that highlight the areas children are struggling to master. Armed with this information, you can work with the teacher to develop a game plan to help your child reach the required level of proficiency.

Ask Questions

It's also beneficial to encourage your child to ask questions in class. Sometimes, students are embarrassed to ask the teacher questions in front of their peers. Instead, they pretend to understand and end up falling behind in class. Let your child know that it's important to ask questions when he doesn't understand something so he is adequately prepared to pass assignments and tests. Let him know that it's okay to stay after class or arrive to class early to ask questions if he needs to. Additionally, you may need to meet with the teacher and ask questions on your child's behalf when you notice he is having difficulty completing assignments at home.

Create a Study Schedule

In order to do well in math, most students need to practice and study the skills often, so you may want to establish a study schedule at home. Set up a daily or weekly routine that requires your child to put in time going over the material she's learned in class. You can vary the actual activities she does while reviewing her math work to keep her study sessions from becoming a strain. For example, in addition to normal studying activities, you can work with her by using flash cards or allowing her to play some math-related games. The Internet is also a great resource for finding creative and entertaining ways to study math and prepare for exams.