5 Test Taking Strategies for Middle School Students

 

Taking tests in school is a stressful experience for a substantial number of students in the United States. The anxiety and stress of preparing for a test in any subject can result in overthinking problems and earning low scores. The experience is frustrating and demoralizing for students traveling the education path.

No matter the type of tests, it’s essential to help your child learn the strategies they can use to earn the scores they deserve on academic assessments. Exploring the test-taking strategies for middle school students will help them achieve the best scores.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the perfect place for assistance and guidance. Continue reading to help your middle schooler improve test scores today!

1. Start With Short Answers

The most draining questions on tests are the short answer and essay segments. You’ll need to use more of your brain power to solve these problems, and the best approach is to tackle them before facing multiple-choice problems.

Scan through the test to find these problems. It’s also wise to answer them first because you can use the test to take the test. The answers you write down will likely overlap with multiple-choice and true-or-false questions.

2. Tackle What You Know

Another option when considering test-taking strategies for middle school is tackling what you know first. When scanning the test, look for the questions you know without a doubt. You’ll eliminate the easy parts and create more time for the questions you’re unsure of on actionable assessments.

3. Hack All the Above Questions

All the above answer options are prevalent with multiple-choice segments on different types of tests. You can hack these questions by scrolling through the answer options.

If two options are correct, you can skip the rest and immediately circle or fill in all the options above. You’ll spend less time getting bogged down on questions, limiting stress and anxiety.

4. Read Passages Twice

When taking a test, the natural inclination is to rush to finish before time expires. With academic assessments, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Take the time to read passages twice to understand the context.

You’ll better understand the question before answering, which is an effective way to boost your test scores.

5. Ignore the Outliers

Outliers are red herrings designed to confuse you and prevent you from finding the correct answer. If you see answers that are completely different from the other options, it is best to ignore them and consider only the viable options. You can eliminate them to save time and work toward the correct answer.

Apply These Test-Taking Strategies for Middle School Today

Taking tests is challenging for many students, but proper test-taking strategies for middle school can help your student improve their scores and confidence. Tackle what you know and answer the written questions first to conserve energy and focus. Ignore the outliers and read each passage twice to ensure you comprehend what it’s asking.

Education is the foundation of future success. Use our Lifestyle content for tips and guidance to help your children succeed today!