For Test Day

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Test Day General Information

Bring a water bottle with a closed lid, a snack, something to read in case you finish early and a sweater/jacket if you tend to get cold.

Calculators are permitted on the Concepts and Problem Solving test only, but are not required or necessary. If your child’s curriculum incorporates calculators, then it may be appropriate. If you choose to allow your child to use a calculator, please make sure it is the same calculator they are used to using with their math program. There should be no perceived disadvantage to your child whether they are encouraged to use a calculator or not. The test items are designed to minimize the amount of computational effort the student would need on this particular sub-test.

I will not be assisting with the use of the calculators itself. Some calculators work differently then others and I don’t want to hinder your child or the other children by distracting them or taking time to direct in the use of a calculator I may not be familiar with.

Preparing Your Child(ren) For Testing

In order to make sure that your child’s test results represent their true achievement levels, it is wise to make sure they are well prepared.

1. Advise your children to try their hardest, but do not place too much emphasis on the test when you are advising them. That could provide an adverse response.

2. Tell your child the test scores will be used to determine year-to-year progress, decide where they need more help and where they have made great strides in the current year, and give a snapshot as to how things going in general. It also helps to evaluate the curriculum and determine the future year's curriculum choices.

3. Older children, high school age, will be better motivated if they understand the primary purpose, value and limitations of the test. The purpose is to evaluate their general educational development, regardless of the curriculum. The skills measured by the test are valuable to success in further education, as well as in the field they will work. However, they do not measure all aspects.

4. Your child may encounter some test questions that are too hard for them or they are unfamiliar with. Tell them in advance that this is normal and they should be encouraged to make a thoughtful guess. By not leaving a blank row, they lessen the chance of marking the next answer in the incorrect row. It is however, acceptable to leave the answer blank. If they choose to do so, be sure they place the next answer in the correct space.

5. As much as possible, try to keep your child’s regular routine rather then creating a special schedule for the testing period.

Preparing the Parent/Guardian for Testing

Exhale. You made it though another year. Keep the test and the results in perspective. The purpose of this test is NOT to scrutinize you. If you have been diligent and doing all or most of the things you are supposed to, then simply use the test results as feedback. Let them help you celebrate areas of mastery and evaluate areas of need. Then, let them drive next year’s instructional methods and curriculums.