Most students know that standardized tests are very important. But they also think the tests are stupid. Both beliefs are true. These tests are stupid and important, and sometimes you have to do stupid things to get what you want.
I’m a football fan and I hate the Green Bay Packers. They’re the rivals of my Chicago Bears, and to make it worse, most of my close friends are huge Packer fans. That said, I would wear a Packers’ jersey and hat for a month straight in return for a glowing review of Prestige Prep in the New York Times. Wearing enemy gear would be a worthwhile price to pay for something I want.
Your child wants to get into a good college or high school. Studying for a stupid test may not be pleasant, but it’s a worthwhile price to pay.
I’ve found that admitting the stupidity of the test gets students to study more, and it stops a lot of the complaining. And I only have to say it once. I rarely have to bring it up again.
When you talk to your child about standardized tests, be honest: the tests are stupid, but they are important. Call us now at (800) 381-3266 to learn more about motivating your child to study and how best to approach standardized tests.
The talking ban set in place in my last blog is temporarily lifted only so you can help your child the night before the exam.
The night before should be as relaxing as possible for your child. If there’s something he likes to do, let him do it (within reason, obviously). Watching a movie, chatting with friends, or playing video games are all good ways for kids to relax.
Conventional wisdom says students shouldn’t study, and I agree with conventional wisdom. The only exceptions are those students who need to study to feel relaxed. If your child just has to study, let him study a little, just not too much and not too late.
As for preparation, make sure you have everything your child needs packed in a bag the night before:
- Admission ticket
- Acceptable ID*
- 4 sharpened no. 2 pencils
- A calculator and back up batteries
- A watch
- An extra sweatshirt
- A bottle of water
- Two snacks, both with a little sugar in them
Cognitive thinking depletes glucose, so a snack with a little sugar will help recharge your child’s brain. Just make sure he’s not eating straight sugar (such as candy bars), or he’ll have trouble concentrating. Fruit and trail mix with M&Ms are my suggestions.
If your child isn’t taking the test at his school, make sure you know how to get to the test center, and leave extra time for traffic.
Other than that, stay positive, and good luck!
*Acceptable forms of ID:
- a driver’s license
- a school ID with photo
- a passport
- a physical description of you written by your school guidance counselor on school stationary and signed by both you and your guidance counselor (I’d pick one of the other three).
