• Reassure your child that he or she does not have to answer all the questions

correctly to pass. It is not expected that students answer every question correctly.

• Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any

blanks. There is no penalty for guessing, and students can get partial credit on the

open-ended items.

• Remind your child that the test is important.

• Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck

on a question, encourage him or her to make the best guess or place a mark in the

test booklet by that item and go back to it after finishing that section of the test.

• Make certain your child gets a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast before

taking the test.

• Try to make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Do not add to your child’s

stress.

• Get your child to school on time the day of the test.

• Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to

read the directions and each question carefully.

• Encourage your child to stay focused on the test, even if other students finish

early.

• Remind your child that it is okay to mark in the test booklet as a help in taking the

test — such as underlining important words — but to mark all answers on the answer

sheet.