Combat test anxiety by using strategies before, during tests

Does the thought of a big test make your preteen's palms sweat? Help him rein in anxiety and ace the next big exam.

Before test day, remind your preteen to:

• Study for several days. Never cram the night before.
• Get plenty of exercise and sleep.
• Think positively about the test.

During the test itself, he should:

• Read the directions carefully. If he doesn't understand something, he should tell his teacher right away.
• Jot any memorized formulas, etc., in the margins. That way, he won't worry about forgetting them halfway through the test.
• Answer easy questions first to boost his confidence.
• Ignore how quickly other students finish and focus only on his own work.

Reprinted with permission from the March 2008 issue of Parents Still make the difference! (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright© 2008 The Parent Institute, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: "Reducing Test - Taking Anxiety," TestTakingTips.com, www.testtakingtips.com/anxiety/index.htm.