| Standardized test scores are puzzling. The numbers.
The percentiles. The stanines. And your parents pouring over your
test results. You have no idea what all the fuss is about.
You spent days filling in bubbles, trying to make the best “educated
guess” for question after question. Maybe you tried your hardest
or maybe you hardly tried! Either way, your test scores are before
you.
Your teachers and hopefully, your parents, can help to explain
what strengths and weaknesses the test points out. What you need
to remember is that a test is a picture of your ability from just
one day. It is like one piece of a jigsaw puzzle. The other pieces
include your grades, your health, your personality, your interests,
and your motivation. You need to look at all the pieces of the puzzle
to get a clear picture of your academic progress.
So, whether your scores are higher than you expected, or lower
than you had hoped, try not to view them as the ultimate measure
of you. If you’re pleased with the results, be encouraged
to challenge yourself in new ways. If disappointment has overcome
you, ask your teacher and your parents to help you set realistic
goals for improvement.
Most tests are about measuring your skill level in certain subject
areas, such as math and language arts. Some tests compare your skills
to other students’ skills from across the country. Others
just test whether or not you have mastered a specific skill.
The purpose of these scores can be very puzzling…even to
adults. You should speak to both your teacher and your parents to
find out what they mean in your educational journey.
Questions to ask:
- Are my test scores and my grades fairly similar? Why or why
not?
- How will these scores affect my education?
- What are some realistic goals I should set?
- What are some practical things I can do at home to challenge
or improve myself?
Test-taking Websites:
(D)
All of the Above: Test Taking Tips…
Hear tips from other kids about taking tests
Math Skills Websites:
 AAA
Math
 Cybercentral
 CoolMath
Figure
This!
 Math
Baseball
Math
Stories
 Math
Cats
Language Arts Skills Websites:
Between
the Lions
Book
Adventure
I
Know That!
Grammar
Gorillas
Scholastic
Kids
The
Biography Maker
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