One Test Does Not Define YOU!
At Maniac Mathies, we know test anxiety is real. Oh, do we know it’s real! We both have crazy test anxiety!
Megan’s Story: I struggled with what I now recognize as test anxiety way back in high school Spanish class. It was so bad that by the time I finished my required two years, my teacher told me, “For the love of my language, don’t take any more Spanish.” Looking back, I know it came from a place of care, but it still stings.
College wasn’t much better—when my Calculus 3 final was placed in front of me, I froze. I couldn’t answer a single question. I didn’t even write my full name correctly! But an hour later, in my professor’s office, I could flawlessly solve every problem. (She still failed me, and I had to retake the course!)
Anna’s Story: I remember being in kindergarten and having our TCAP (Tennessee’s State Testing when I was in kindergarten). During testing week, they brought snacks to the classrooms. In my memory it was a carton of milk and graham crackers. I don’t even know if I ate the snack or not but at snack time I stood up and went to the classroom sink and threw up. It didn’t get me out of taking the test. By the time I made it to college, I would make sure not to eat for at least an hour prior to taking any test.
We share our stories to say: we truly understand test anxiety and how real it is for students.
What Affects Test Performance?
Beyond anxiety, many factors impact a student’s performance on a standardized test—how well they slept, what they ate for breakfast, their personal relationships, or even what their best friend said on the phone last night. The list goes on. One test should not be the sole basis for labeling a student. And don’t even get us started on labels.
As teachers, we’ve learned that many families choose homeschooling to avoid standardized testing altogether.* Some states still require homeschoolers to take tests, but parents often have the option to choose the test and administer it untimed. Removing the time pressure can make a huge difference in a student’s ability to perform. If your child struggles to finish exams in class, talk to the school about extra time accommodations. If that’s not possible, the best preparation is practice—using different methods like colorful worksheets, color-by-number activities, or even movement-based puzzles to make studying engaging.
We believe teachers (or learning coaches) know what their students are capable of far better than a one-day test can measure. However, standardized tests are a reality, and at some point, students most likely will have to take one. That doesn’t mean review time has to be boring! We use a mix of strategies tailored to different learning styles to offer options for all students to practice and achieve!
How to Prepare for a Standardized Test or Final Exams
Repeat Positive Affirmations – Take a moment each day to say, “I am prepared. I am capable. I will do my best.” It might feel silly, but if you consistently tell yourself this, your brain will remember it when it’s test time.
Practice Daily – Work on practice problems both at the table and in real life. Younger kids can answer random questions while in the car or at the store. Older students can use apps that send questions throughout the day or set phone reminders to answer a few problems at regular intervals.
Keep Study Sessions Short – The brain absorbs information best in short bursts. Study for just 5-15 minutes at a time, multiple times a day. Never go beyond 40 minutes in one sitting—after that, your brain checks out.
Learn Test-Taking Strategies – Content knowledge is important, but knowing how to take a test matters too. Teach students how to eliminate wrong answers, make educated guesses, and answer every question (unless there’s a penalty for wrong answers).
Get Enough Sleep & Eat a Good Breakfast – A well-rested brain performs better. On test day, have a balanced breakfast, but don’t overdo it! If you usually skip breakfast, don’t suddenly eat a feast—you might just end up feeling sluggish.
We mentioned coloring based sheets earlier to help reduce stress with preparing for tests. Did you know that we have several color by number activities and are adding new ones all the time?
Until next time,
Megan and Anna
* Many states have an opt out option that parents don’t know about (and school systems are not always forthcoming with the information). Laws are constantly changing so we encourage you to visit your State website and research testing laws in your State.
