#AceTheTest: Test Prep for Elementary Reading Assessments

Elementary reading assessments have become more rigorous and plentiful over recent years, especially since the days of virtual teaching. Thinking of testing like a “genre” of reading has really helped me get past the feeling that I am wasting time preparing for standardized testing. While tests seem to ask a lot of students today, there are some helpful benefits in getting students to think critically, build confidence, and practice formal testing. After all, testing isn’t going anywhere for students so it’s better to prepare them for future years in education rather than to let it take a back seat.

Before jumping into test prep ideas, have you set up an assessment system in your classroom yet? To get organized and make formative assessment a part of your regular teaching practice, you must create systems in your classroom. This will help you understand student data all year instead of getting that pit in your stomach feeling of uncertainty. Use this free guide below to get all the tricks for organization and keep better track of formative assessment.

What are Test Taking Strategies?

There are tons of test taking strategies for students to learn and practice during test prep. Here are a list of reading test taking strategies anchor chart ideas that I always start with when looking to support students with standardized testing.

Other Reading Difficulties that Impact Reading Assessments in Elementary School

The strategies above will certainly help students if taught and practiced over time. But with some students, there can be more going on than just a lack of test practice. When students haven’t connected with reading, they may be disengaged and give little effort. This may come from poor past performance or experiences. An elementary reading interest inventory can really support teachers in learning more about a student’s background in reading, likes/dislikes and experiences.

Another big reason students may not perform well could have to do with a lack of understanding student misconceptions. Taking good anecdotal notes and utilizing informal reading assessments in elementary allows for strategic teaching. Making deficits become targeted teaching points is where the magic happens! This can feel complicated at first but becomes part of your teaching style with practice.

Test Taking Strategies for Elementary Reading Tests

Testing taking strategies are great when added to a unit plan but without practice, provide little support to students. Adding ample practice opportunities into your lesson plans is a sure way to aim for success on testing day. Cramming weeks before a test is one way to practice but adding strategies throughout the year helps students to really understand the test taking “genre”.

During each unit, I add 1-2 new strategies while reviewing previous strategies. Using pieces of past standardized tests is a great way for students to almost see the “real thing”. Here is an example of a unit plan for poetry that incorporated test taking strategies.

1. Digital Tools: Understanding the tools

Most often reading tests are online today. All of the above strategies can be used both online or paper/pencil. Strategy number 6 is one of the most important strategies for online testing though. Students must understand different text structures like drag and drop, sequencing and moving words into sentences just to name a few. They need to practice.There are many online testing practice resources such as TestNav, Varsity Tutors, SOLpass.org or free elementary reading assessments like Readworks out there or your school may have access to some. Don’t skip this step in your test prep practice. It is one of the most unfortunate ways for students to miss a question!

2. Ample Practice: Test Prep Student Workbook

Practice opportunities can look many different ways. Here are some examples from a student workbook that gave students a chance to practice standardized testing strategies.

• Recording thinking and schema- Students are given scrap paper for reading tests but RARELY use it or know how to use it best. Teach students different ways to “think” on paper.
• Read Testing Structure like a Genre- One of the most important strategies, students need practice learning the “testing genre”. Teach them how to navigate these tests.
• Slash the Trash- Getting rid of the wrong answers first can make finding the right answer just a little bit easier. Give students practice in getting rid of the “trash” to find the right answer.

I find it very helpful to give them opportunities to practice strategies with past standardized tests. This allows them to see the testing language and see questions asked in a variety of ways. If done throughout the year, it can be easily implemented into regular reading structures so they can see reading strategies used in formal and informal ways.

Create practice opportunities for each strategy that you teach or grab this ready to use workbook with tips and practice to get started right away.

3. Test Taking Tips: Healthy Mindset

Test taking strategies support students in comprehension but getting the right mindset for testing is just as important. Standardized tests aren’t going anywhere so prep students to be successful but remember it is as equally important for students to know a test does NOT define them. Here are a few testing tips for elementary students to prepare their minds that I have found helpful.

1. Rest– Get a good night sleep the night before.
2. Eat breakfast– Get breakfast at school if you forget!
3. Relax– Try to take deep breaths before the test begins to start in a good headspace.
4. Take breaks– take short breaks in between passages. Sit back in your chair or stretch in your seat to take your eyes off the paper or computer.
5. Use scrap paper– The paper is there for a reason! Use it to take notes, show work, write down thoughts..anything! You can even use it to give yourself a mental break with some doodling.
6. Read, reread, reread again– Be sure to read the directions and each question multiple times to make sure you really understand what it is asking.
7. Check your work– Before moving onto a new section or turning in the test, check to make sure you have answered ALL questions.
8. Smile– It may be tricky, but smile anyway! It sends positive messages to your brain and will guide you through testing time.
9. Do your best– Really do your best. Use everything you know, be careful and apply yourself. If you do your best, then don’t sweat the rest
10. Be positive– It’s just a test! It does not define who you are as a person. You are amazing! Speak kind words to yourself.

Encourage students with some of these tips as you practice and get ready for the testing season. Using previous year’s testing passages is a great way to practice these strategies out! So remember to prep some practice opportunities or grab this ready to use notebook and prep students well so they can be encouraged, confident learners who are proud of their work.

And don’t forget to grab your FREE guide below to getting organized with assessment!