If you are between the ages of 6 and 13, you need 9-11 hours of sleep each night. [2] X Research source Cramming for the test the night before won’t help you. It is better to relax and get a good night’s sleep instead. Adjust your schedule the week of the test so you can get enough rest.
You will do better on the test if you are relaxed and in a good mood.
Make sure you have all necessary materials for the test, including pencils and erasers.
Good breakfast choices include fruit, whole grain-cereal, and protein rich foods (e. g. eggs, nuts, and yogurt). Stay away from processed and sugary foods such as cookies, cakes, etc. Also avoid eating a carbohydrate (e. g. bread, pancakes, etc. ) heavy breakfast because it will cause you to feel sluggish and sleepy. If you do not feel like eating in the morning, try having a smoothie or a breakfast shake.
Be sure to follow any written or verbal instructions you receive about the test. If you are unsure about an answer, eliminate the answers you know are wrong and choose between the other possible choices. This will increase your chances of getting the question right.
If you have extra time, go back and double check your answers. Be sure to leave some time at the end to answer the questions that you skipped. It is better to guess than to leave a question unanswered. For example, if you have 45 minutes to complete a section, try to finish in 40 minutes so you have time to go back.
If you go completely blank on a question, skip it and come back to it later. You do not want to waste time thinking about one question when you could be answering the questions that you already know. Make some type of mark by the questions that you skipped. You do not want to forget to go back and answer them.
Practice deep breathing before you take your test so you can get in the habit of doing it. As you take a deep breath, tell yourself, “I am in control. Everything is going to be fine. " If you get a headache, start sweating, feel like you might pass out, get butterflies in your stomach, start sweating, or start shaking, you may be feeling anxious. These are signs that you should take a deep breath. [6] X Research source
If your mind goes blank or you feel like you have no idea what you are doing all of a sudden, you may also be experiencing fear. Fear is completely normal. You will not be able to eliminate fear completely, but you can manage it so it does not affect your test. Place your hand on your belly and take 3 deep breaths. As you inhale and exhale, notice how your belly gets bigger then smaller. You can also write the word “breathe” at the top of your test booklet to remind you take deep breaths when you begin to feel stressed out. [7] X Research source Tell yourself, “I can do this,” or “Just keep going. "
If your mind begins to wander, bring it back and tell yourself, “I will only focus on one question at a time. If you tend to have problems focusing or get nervous every time you take a test, talk to a teacher, parent, or school counselor about it. They can help you with other techniques to stay calm during the test. Tell yourself, “I am smart. I can do this. “[8] X Research source
If you are in 3rd grade, your test will include reading and mathematics. If you are in 4th grade, your test will include reading, mathematics, and writing. If you are in 5th grade, your test will include reading, mathematics, and science. If you are in 6th grade, your test will include reading and mathematics . If you are in 7th grade, your test will include reading, mathematics, and writing. If you are in 8th grade, your test will include reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. If you are in high school, you will have end-of-course (EOC) assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, biology and U. S history.
You can see the practice questions and the answers. Try to answer the questions without looking at the answers. Commit to studying for a designated amount of time. [11] X Research source For example, you may spend an hour on Tuesdays and Saturdays doing STAAR practice questions.
An appropriate study schedule varies by each student. If you took the STAAR test last year, pay attention to the areas that you struggled in and devote more study time to those. If you did not take the STAAR test last year, spend more time in the general subject areas that you struggle in. For example, you may spend more time studying mathematics than reading.
If you do not understand a concept or have a question, get help from your teacher as soon as you can. If you wait until it is time for your test, it may be too late. Try to be a good student throughout the school year, not just a few weeks before the test. This will increase your chances of passing the STAAR.
Some private tutoring organizations such as ‘Mathnasium’ (math learning center) and Sylvan Learning offer STAAR specific training. [13] X Research source [14] X Research source You can also ask your teacher or school counselor about any prep programs in your area.
