Preparing for Standardized Test & Test Anxiety

What is TNReady? The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) has been the state’s testing program since 1988, and it includes TNReady, the state’s assessment in math, English Language Arts, social studies and science.  TNReady is designed to assess true student understanding, not just basic memorization and test-taking skills.   TNReady will be administered between April 16 and May 4. 

What tests are included underneath the TCAP testing umbrella? Students in grades 3-8 take the following exams each year: English Language Arts (ELA) Mathematics Science Social Studies

How much time will my child spend testing?

Will my child receive a break during tests? On most days, we have scheduled for students to take only one subpart. The longest subpart is 85 minutes. At most, students will take two subparts during a single school day. In that case, a student will be given a 10-15 minute break in between subparts. The two subparts are no longer than 85 minutes total. During this time period, students will have the opportunity to go to the bathroom and get a drink of water.

What if my child is absent on a test day? Attendance is key when it comes to testing; however, we are aware and understand that certain circumstances may prevent your child from being present on a testing day.  In the event that your child is absent on a test, they will have the opportunity to take the test that they missed during our scheduled make-up times during the testing window.

Is it okay for my child to bring snacks? TNReady assessment have been scheduled for first thing in the morning or immediately after lunch.  It is important for your child to eat a well-balanced breakfast and lunch, so they have the energy they need to complete their assessment.  If your child brings a snack, they will be allowed to eat it either before or after they have completed their assessment. 

What does the testing platform look like? https://tn.nextera.questarai.com/tds/?mc_cid=f01bfcd3bd&mc_eid=b0aa2fa165#practice

How can I help prepare my child for online testing? If your child has been at school and in the classroom, they are ready and prepared for this assessment. Teachers and administrators have been working hard all year planning lessons that cover curriculum standards to ensure your child is ready for this assessment. Each student has had the opportunity to be exposed to online Questar Nextera platform through practice tests to be familiar with navigating the different tools and features available through online assessment.

Will scores be factored into student grades? The department provides school districts with raw data from state testing. IF districts receive this information before the final five days of the school year, they are required to include TNReady as 15% of a student’s grade for 17-18. However, if they receive this information less than five days before the end of the school year, it is the school district’s choice whether to include state test scores in students’ grades. 

How can I help support my child? As a parent, you can use the information from the test to help support your child at home and begin a discussion with your child’s teacher to identify what, if any, additional support is necessary to ensure they move from grade to grade with the academic knowledge and skills necessary for success in the next school year and beyond high school.  The department is planning for 2017-2018 TNReady results to be available for parents and families in summer 2018.

What is Test Anxiety? Test anxiety is actually a type of performance anxiety, a feeling someone might have in a situation where performance really counts or when the pressure's on to do well. For example, a person might have performance anxiety just before trying out for the school play, singing a solo on stage, getting into position at the pitcher's mound, stepping onto the platform in a diving meet, or going into an important interview. Test anxiety can be a real problem if you're so stressed out over a test that you can't get past the nervousness to focus on the test questions and do your best work. Feeling ready to meet the challenge, though, can keep test anxiety at a manageable level.

What Causes it? All anxiety is a reaction to anticipating something stressful. Like other anxiety reactions, test anxiety affects the body and the mind. People who worry a lot or who are perfectionists are more likely to have trouble with test anxiety. People with these traits sometimes find it hard to accept mistakes they might make or to get anything less than a perfect score. In this way, even without meaning to, they might really pressure themselves. Test anxiety is bound to thrive in a situation like this.

What Can You Do? Use a little stress to your advantage.  Stress is your body's warning mechanism — it's a signal that helps you prepare for something important that's about to happen.  Ask for help. Although a little test anxiety can be a good thing, an overdose of it is another story.  Be prepared. Some students think that going to class is all it should take to learn and do well on tests. But there's much more to learning than just hoping to soak up everything in class. That's why good study habits and skills are so important. Accept mistakes. Another thing you can do is to learn to keep mistakes in perspective — especially if you're a perfectionist or you tend to be hard on yourself. Take care of yourself. It can help to learn ways to calm yourself down and get centered when you're tense or anxious. For some people, this might mean learning a simple breathing exercise. 

Is it possible to overcome Test Anxiety? YES! Everything takes time and practice, and learning to beat test anxiety is no different. Although it won't go away overnight, facing and dealing with test anxiety will help you learn stress management, which can prove to be a valuable skill in many situations besides taking tests.

RFMS Administration and Counseling would like to thank you for coming and showing your support for your student! As always if any questions arise please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us. Rocky Fork Middle School- 615-904-6780