Reading Test Prep for 7th Grade Students

How to Provide Reading Test Prep for 7th Grade Students

Instill a Love of Reading and Learning

One of the best ways you can help your 7th grader prepare is by encouraging him or her to develop a love of reading from an early age. Make sure there are always a variety of reading materials around that appeal to your child's interests. After your child reads a book, be sure to ask questions about the story to prepare him or her for upcoming reading tests.

Encourage your 7th grader to have a positive attitude toward school and tests. Don't make your child nervous about any test, even a really important one. Remind him or her to do her best and to relax. Additionally, keep track of your child's scores on reading test so you can intervene if necessary.

Give Your Child Practice Tests

Taking a practice test is a good way for children to get used to the formatting and the content so they'll feel confident when the 'big test' comes. Most states offer standardized tests from previous years on their websites. Many also include answer keys. For additional practice, consider websites such as EDinformatics, which offers sample tests and questions from every state. Pearson Longman also has practice reading tests available on its website.

Remember that you don't want to over test your child because that can lead to testing burnout. Giving your 7th grade student a practice reading test once a month for a few months leading up to the actual test is probably sufficient.

Use Activities and Worksheets

Some websites offer printable worksheets designed to practice specific reading comprehension skills, such as inference, sequential analysis and tonal analysis. You should look for worksheets that include a reading passage similar to the one found on a reading test, and then ask questions following the same format.

Reading games and activities can be entertaining and educational. Even 7th grade students can have fun with challenging reading games, especially English language learners and children with reading disabilities. For instance, as your child reads a short passage, ask him or her to write down 10-20 of the most important words. This helps students focus on what they're reading.