• Make sure that your child is in school during the testing sessions. Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments on test dates.

• Encourage your child to study over a period of time rather than "cram" the night before.

• Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions given by the teacher and to ask questions about any directions that are unclear.

• See that your child gets his/her regular amount of sleep before the tests and is well-rested.

• Make sure that your child eats his/her usual breakfast on the day of the test. Hunger can detract from a good test performance.

• Read all directions and questions carefully. If you do not understand the directions, ask for help. An explanation of the instructions can help.

• Budget your time carefully.

• On multiple choice questions, try figuring out the answer before you look at the choices.

• On essay questions, make sure you answer the question being asked. Use good supporting statements. Quality is more important than quantity.

• Encourage your child to do his/her best.

Brought to you by the American School Counselor Association