No Pain, High Gain
Standardized Test Preparation
by Nell K. Duke and Ron Ritchhart

Let's face it, standardized tests are a fact of life. They remain a mainstay in most districts largely because of the comparative information they provide — information that too often is used alone to judge school, classroom, and individual performance. Ideally, standardized tests would be only one part of the overall assessment system. But until that day, we must make sure our students have the skills they need to ace standardized tests.
 
Preparing kids for tests doesn't have to mean drills. In our work, we make explicit connections between good test-taking practices and good general-learning practices. Here, we share some of the strategies and ideas that have grown out of our efforts.

Three Surefire Strategies for Reading Comprehension

A language-rich classroom, where students engage in regular guided and independent reading, is the ideal context for developing the skills needed to perform well on standardized tests. The following ideas work well every day, but they also come in handy at test time.

1. Encourage Purposeful Reading
   
2. Cover All Kinds of Questions
   
3. Teach Text Structure

Four Tried-and-True Tactics for Math

Math test items assess students' computation and measurement skills, number sense, and ability to reason. In addition, problem-solving items ask students to apply skills in context. A math curriculum that emphasizes investigations, higher-order thinking, and conceptual development lays a strong foundation for learning in general and preparing for tests in particular.

1. Make Word Problems a Priority
   
2. Stress Number Sense
   
3. Focus on Estimation
   
4. Emphasize Mental Math

Teaching Format Fundamentals

The mere sight of a bubble answer sheet sends shivers through most kids. These activities will orient them to the standard features of standardized tests.

Create a Bubble Graph
Build-a-Test
Pass-Along Questions

Six Tips for Nipping Test Stress in the Bud

1. Don't Skimp on Practice Tests
   
2. Promote Positive Attitudes About Testing
   
3. Deal with Basic Roadblocks
   
4. Plan a Fun Day-of-Test Activity
   
5. Look Out for Daydreamers
   
6. Talk About Those Last Few Minutes