Test Taking Tips & Strategies

As a parent/guardian, what do I need to know about the PSSA exams?

The English & Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics PSSA exams are administered to students in grades 3-8. One week is dedicated to ELA and another week is dedicated to mathematics.
Students in grade 4 also take a Science PSSA.
Although schools take the test scores seriously, classroom teachers are looking for individual growth in students from year to year.

Establish an appropriate bedtime with your child.
Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast each morning. A breakfast that includes protein is recommended as opposed to a sugary breakfast.
Try to make sure your child is at school, prepared, and on time for each day of testing.
Review test taking tips with your child.
Discuss the importance of the tests.
Reiterate with your child to relax during the exam and put forth their best effort.

Read and follow all directions and questions carefully.
Before responding, be sure to look at all of the answer choices.
Eliminate answers that don't make sense.
For questions you're not sure about reread the question and try to find the best answer.
Go back and make sure you've answered all of the questions.
For ELA questions, remember to go back into the text to verify your answers.
Use your scratch paper to your advantage. Work out math problems on your scrap paper first. Create organizers before responding to open-ended questions.

You've been preparing all year for these exams, be confident and positive.
Listen to all directions given by the teacher and ask questions about anything that is unclear.
Give yourself mental breaks when you need them. Put your pencil down, take a few deep breaths, roll your neck, give yourself some positive self-talk.
Think of the tests like several small jobs instead of one large one.
If permitted by your child's teacher, suck on a mint or other piece of hard candy to stimulate your brain.