Test Taking Tips

Preparing for the CRCT involves more than just studying. Below are listed several ways you can help your child prepare and be ready to do their best on the CRCT test. This list is not inclusive, if you have any tips that have helped in the past please share them with us by contacting the webmaste.

You can assist your child prepare for testing by doing the following:

1. Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before a test, and make sure your child eats properly the day of a test.

2. Maintain a pleasant home environment and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Try to make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Do not add to your child’s stress.

3. Make sure your child has taken any needed medication.

4. Ensure that your child is present during testing (children generally perform better when taking tests in their groups rather than at a make-up time).

5. Get your child to school on time the day of the test.

6. Wish your child good luck each morning of the test. Tell your child that he/she is special and that you believe in him/her!

7. Remind your child the test is important. Encourage him/her to do his/her best.

8. If your child is too ill to attend, please call the school office.

9. If the test is on a subject for which you can review (spelling test, math facts, etc.), help your child go over the material.

10. Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully.

11. Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck on a question, encourage him or her to make the best guess and move on.

12. Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blank.

13. Encourage your child to stay focused on the test, even if other students finish early.

14. If your child is disappointed after taking a test, reassure him or her that there will be plenty of opportunities to improve and succeed.

Tips to give your child about taking tests:

* Relax. Just do the best you can.

* Your first choice is usually correct. Don't change an answer unless you have a good reason to do so.

* Be aware of key words such as "all," "now," "always," "never," "only," "exactly."

* In multiple-choice questions, don’t skip the longest answer. It should be considered, since test writers want to be sure the correct answer is accurate—they may add lots of details to insure accuracy.

* Watch for negative words like "not," "no," "never."

* Look for information in some of the questions. This information may help you answer other questions.

Math Testing Tips

Make sure you mark your answer on the answer document if you have one. Mark an answer for every problem even if you don't know the answer. If you have time, come back to those problems you were unsure of and work them again.

Story math problems can be confusing. Practice looking for the clues such as:

Addition/Multiplication Clues - How many in all? How many all together?

Subtraction Clues - What is the difference? How many were left? ("eaten", "lost", "given away", "sold", etc.)

Division Clues - How many did each have? How many did each get?

Try to determine what type of answer the question is looking for:
Addition/Multiplication answers are larger than the other numbers.
Subtraction/Division answers are smaller than the other numbers.

Be careful of extra information that is included in the story problem. It is not needed to find the correct answer.

Use your scratch paper. Don't try to work all the problems in your head. Draw a picture, number line, diagram if it will help find the correct answer.

Don't erase any work. You may need the answer to facts you have solved in another problem.

Make sure your answer makes sense. Estimate if you need to.

12 Test-Taking Tips

Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
Have a nutritious breakfast.
Dress comfortably.
Bring all materials you need, such as pencils and erasers.
Relax, take slow, deep, breaths.
Follow directions carefully.
Read each question.
Answer the easy questions first.
Move on if you don’t know an answer.
Mark answers neatly. If you must erase, erase completely.
Review to make sure you have answered every question.
Don’t change any answers unless you are sure they’re wrong -- your first answer is more likely correct.

10 Ways to help your child do better on tests.

Review the subject matter together for upcoming tests.
Make sure your child gets a good night’s rest before every test.
Serve your child a healthy breakfast on the test day.
Have your child dress comfortably and arrive at school on time.
Send your child off to school with words of praise and support.
Suggest that your child do deep breathing exercises to relax before the test begins.
Tell your child to follow directions carefully, and ask questions if something is not clear.
Advise your child to do the easiest parts of the test first, then the rest.
Remind your child to check over answers before turning in the test.
Encourage wanting to do well, but stress that one test won’t measure all your child can do.
Remember: Children who love learning are more likely to do better on tests.
Instill a positive attitude about school.

10 ways to help build your child’s study skills

Set up a regular study time in a quiet, comfortable place where your child won’t have distractions
Encourage daily study, even if there’s no homework. Reading and reviewing lessons will get your child in the habit of studying every day.
Make sure your child keeps track of assignments and has all the study tools needed for homework.
Allow study breaks every 20 minutes of so, and offer nutritious snacks.
Help your child break large tasks into several smaller ones in order to study efficiently.
Have your child set goals before each assignment and organize study priorities to reach them.
Teach your child the value of being organized and keeping homework together.
Use study aids, such as quizzes, flashcards, and reading out loud to you.
Let your child know it’s OK to ask teachers for help and that you’re available, too.
Consider having our child study with a partner if it helps both of them to do better.
Remember – Always reward your child’s efforts to build study skills. Praise
goes a long way!

10 Ways to help your child with homework

Let your child know that homework is valuable and important.
Set a regular time each day for homework, allowing some time to unwind after school before getting started.
Be sure your child has all essentials, such as papers, books, school notebooks, and pencils.
Help your child get organized by providing folders for papers and a calendar and/or assignment book to track assignments.
Have a quiet, clean, and well lit place to study with a comfortable chair. Keep all schoolwork there.
Discourage distractions, including TV, during study time. Allow study breaks every 20 minutes or so.
Be available to answer questions or help quiz your child, but keep homework as his or her responsibility to
Spot check homework when it’s completed, but don’t correct assignments unless the teacher has asked you to.
Read any comments the teacher has made on returned assignments.
If a homework problem arises, contact the teacher for clarification.
Remember – Praise your child for homework done to the best of his or her ability