All About Middle School Test Taking

Helping Your Child Prepare for Middle School Tests

What Kinds of Tests Will My Child Take?

If your child's in a public school or a number of private schools, he or she will be required to take standardized tests in most states. These tests are typically based on your state's education standards.

There are a number of tests to determine exceptional ability as well. Some of these exams are very specific. This kind of test is often used to help diagnose learning disabilities or if a child is gifted and talented.

Of course, in middle school your child will be taking exams on a regular basis for class. For example, if your child is taking an 8th grade biology class, it's not unusual if he or she can expect to take a test every month as well as the occasional quiz.

How Will Middle School Tests Prepare My Child for High School?

The middle school years are an important prelude to high school. During this time, students learn study skills and acquire independence, both of which they will need when they're older. When your child is taking middle school tests, he or she should practice using different study techniques in order to find out what works best for him or her. Middle school tests are important, but they don't go on your child's official transcript. Since these tests won't affect his or her college search, middle school can provide an good opportunity to experiment and find the techniques that work best.

What Can I Do to Help My Child Get Ready?

It's usually very helpful for your child to have a quiet, clutter-free study and homework space at home. If it's possible, create this space and keep it free of distractions, like the Internet and television. Maintain a consistent schedule so that your middle schooler gets accustomed to concentrating at the same time each day.

Anytime your child is getting ready for a test, take a couple of minutes to discuss how he or she is going to study. Ask him or her to think about what techniques worked for the last test and what didn't work. Come up with ways to make study time more successful and help your child implement them.

Practice tests can be an immensely useful resource for preparing for standardized tests because they give your child a preview of what to expect and can reduce test-taking anxiety. Talk to your child's teachers or check with your state's Department of Education for more information about practice tests.

What Other Resources Are Available?

Some websites offer help with homework and school-related issues provided by volunteers. Others will present your middle schooler with fun standards-based games and activities that will help solidify facts and information in subjects ranging from math to English to French.

If your middle schooler is having a difficult time, you can meet with his or her teachers to determine the proper course of action. It can be very helpful to take your child to a learning center or hire a one-on-one tutor. There are a number of private tutors as well as tutors who work for national and local companies. Another possibility to consider is hiring an online tutor.