Skip to main content

Middle-School Poor Test Taker

How can I help my middle-school child do better on tests? -- Poor Test-Taker
Answer: The best way for children in middle school to prepare for tests is simply to keep up with their work. To do well consistently, they are going to have to learn to pay close attention to what they don't fully understand, because this is the material that will cause them problems on tests. They must be willing to ask questions in class and request extra help from you and their teachers. At the same time, they must develop a willingness to do some hard work to master difficult material. This is the key to doing well on tests as well as in school.
Your children will be well-prepared for tests if they have reviewed sufficiently. You certainly don't want a child in middle school to get in the habit of cramming for tests. Most teachers will prevent this from happening by assigning review exercises at the end of lessons or book chapters to help students prepare for tests. As children get older and more special preparation is needed, study aids such as flashcards, notes and outlines can be very helpful.

Topic