Student Assessments: Test Prep Information

Helping Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests

What's a Student Assessment Test?

'Assessment' is a broad term and can mean different things, depending upon what state you live in. Often, it refers to the standardized tests that states administer. A student assessment exam or standardized test keeps track of student progress and exposes the strengths and weaknesses your child may have in any given subject. Subjects like reading, language arts, science, social studies and math can be difficult; similarly, transitions between grades and classes can be tough for some students. Assessment exams can often determine placement for the following school year.

Student assessment tests also can determine how well your child is doing compared to other students at his or her age and level. An assessment may reveal that your child's capable of receiving a higher level of education. It may also reveal where your child's struggling. In some cases, an assessment test can be a factor in determining if your child should be put into a specialized program.

Preparing Throughout the School Year

It's important that your child remains on top of his or her work throughout the school year. To make sure this happens, closely monitor your child's assignments. Also, if possible, make a dedicated study space for your child at home and maintain a consistent schedule in which study time always remains the same. This way, your child will get accustomed to concentrating and absorbing information at the same time every day. How well your child does throughout the year is often more important than any short-term studying he or she can do.

Giving Your Child Assessment Tests at Home

You can download assessment tests or your state's practice standardized tests and administer them to your child. Do your very best to emulate a testing environment by creating a quiet atmosphere and timing your child as he or she takes the practice exam. This will not only test your child's skills, but also get your child ready for multiple-choice style testing.

More Resources

There are a great number of sites on the Internet that offer free, standards-based worksheets, activities, reading assignments and games. You can also check with local libraries, learning centers and community centers.

If your child's having a tough time studying for assessment tests, consider hiring a tutor. There are many different options available in the tutoring industry. Depending on what you're looking for, there are private tutors, online tutors and national tutoring companies.