BJU Press Blog

No Stakes Testing

6 Ways to Have a Better Achievement Test Day

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You know that an achievement test won’t make or break your children’s education. You know that it doesn’t have to be high-stakes. And you know that the test results can give you valuable insight into how their education is going. But all of that means very little to your kids when they hear that ugly word test.

Tests are not fun.

If your children test well, then an achievement test means several hours of concentrated bubbling with short breaks. If your children do not test well, then it may mean several days of stress and a few hours of panicked bubbling.

While I can’t give you foolproof tips that will make testing fun—that depends on your children’s likes and dislikes—I can suggest ways for you to get the greatest benefit and more accurate results from your testing experience by ensuring that they go into the tests calm and prepared.

Preparing for the Achievement Test

  • Use practice test materials

Some achievement tests offer a practice test that introduces your child to the testing experience. They give a preview of the questions, the format, and the wording of instructions. By becoming familiar with the test, your children will know what to expect and won’t fear the unknown—at least not as much. Though not a practice test, the Better Test Scores workbooks also create familiarity with tests in addition to giving tips on testing strategies.

  • Get them on a sleep schedule

A good night’s sleep the night before will help children keep from panicking. A couple of weeks of good nights will help them stay calm in the first place. Try to stick to your sleep schedule, especially as you get closer to test days. If they typically sleep later, bump bedtimes up a few minutes during the week before so they have time to adjust and can get adequate sleep the night before exam day.

During the Test

  • Help them pick comfortable but confident clothes

Depending on where you test, you may not be able to control the environment. While you may think that taking a test will be easier in cozy clothes, that may not be an option. And if you want authentic test results, it may not be wise. The clothes kids wear can be just as distracting to them as they can be to others, even if they’re completely appropriate. They should wear something they’re confident about wearing in front of people. A favorite outfit may be a better choice than a cozy sweatshirt.

  • Give each of them a full water bottle

Most test moderators will let your children keep a water bottle during breaks. Pausing to drink during the test breaks keeps them hydrated, gives them a moment to regroup, and lets them breathe. They can go back to bubbling refreshed and focused.

After the Test

  • Stick around for a bit afterward

If your kids are testing with several other familiar homeschool families, after the test is a perfect time for them to unwind together. Some children may be exhausted, but others may need to release a lot of pent- up energy. Maybe you can set up a movie and snacks in the testing room or go to a nearby park as a group so they can run around.

  • Have a post-test pizza party

While most people recommend several healthy meals leading up to test day, everyone expects post-test meals to include the foods kids usually don’t get to have a lot of such as pizza, chips, and ice cream. So why not go all out and make it a party? Even if your pizza party is just your family, it will give your kids a chance to celebrate the end of another testing year and a job well done.

Do you have any other suggestions for keeping your kids cool during achievement tests? Share your testing experiences below!

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Take the Stress out of Standardized Testing

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standardized testing bubble sheet
Standardized Testing can be stressful.

It’s cool in homeschooling circles to hate standardized testing. Since the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, standardized testing has had a huge impact on public schools. Many parents and classroom teachers alike have pushed back. Their distaste for standardized testing has reached into the homeschool movement as well.

Of course, there are legitimate concerns about the overuse of these “bubble tests.” They can’t tell everything about a child or a teacher, but government bureaucracy relies on the scores to judge both. And that leads to one of the biggest problems with big government testing—it’s creating what’s called high-stakes testing.

High-Stakes Testing

Standardized tests have far-reaching implications for the test-takers. Your score on a high-stakes test might determine if you pass a course or if you get into medical school. Preparing for such tests becomes all-consuming for a student and introduces copious amounts of stress into the test-taking  experience.

Low-Stakes Testing

In contrast, low-stakes tests have limited impact on the test-takers. Such a test contributes to determining a student’s grade or placement, but the test is only one small part of the grade or one factor among several. Think of a yearlong course with fifteen tests. Each test matters, but none of them is a make-or-break situation by itself. If you fail one test, you can make up ground later on. These tests place some pressure on a child but not overwhelming stress.

No-Stakes Testing

What kind of test would have little to no impact on the test-taker? That’s the case when the results are only for the parents’ benefit or to set the child up for what he or she is going to learn next. One example would be a pre-test you give your child over what you plan to teach, but there is no grade on the test. This test puts no pressure on the child to perform at a certain level but informs you about what your child needs help with since the results provide clear insight into the child’s knowledge and skill level.

Removing the Stakes

The key to successfully using standardized testing is to remove the stakes. Make sure your children know that these tests won’t determine their grades or whether they go on to the next grade. Let them know that they should do their best because you want to know how great they’re doing. But also tell them that their results won’t change how proud you are of them.

As a homeschooler growing up, I was tested in our homeschool group every year; my mom made sure of that. But she always told me to do my best and not to worry about the results. I knew she used the results somehow, and I thought it was to determine what grade I would be in the next year.

Then the day I finished third-grade standardized testing, as I climbed into our white minivan, I glanced in the front seat. There I saw a bag containing all my fourth-grade curriculum. “Mom!” I said. “How do you know how I did on my tests? I just finished!”

My mom explained to me that my standardized tests didn’t determine what grade I was going into. She already knew I was ready for the next grade.

That experience changed my view of testing. I knew that my academic career didn’t hinge on the test.

Homeschool families test for a variety of reasons. You may test because you find it provides valuable feedback. Or perhaps you have to test because you live in one of the twenty-two states that require it. In any case, consider eliminating the stakes.

Two Questions

This advice raises two questions, which we’ll address in upcoming blog posts. First, if there aren’t any stakes, why test? So in our next post, my wife will talk about some benefits we’ve seen through testing our daughters.

The second question that arises is how to remove the stakes and make mind-numbing bubble-filling tests fun. Jenna will post six tips on how to make standardized testing enjoyable for children.