Greetings Families,
Through my 30 plus years as an educator on the South and West Sides of Chicago, I have repeatedly heard students AND parents talk about how they are not a good test taker therefore they have performance anxiety on exams. Well, March and April are national testing months for our students and I want to eradicate that MYTH once and for all.
One way to end this myth is to share with you how our students are SOARING on exams this year in their English and Reading Exams. This comes from the lazer like focus of those teachers and students in their class each day CLOSING THE GAPS in their understanding of the material. By working hard to understand what you may not already know, you will perform GREATER!
The second way to end this MYTH is to share an excerpt from an article I recently read:
"I am not a good tester" is a myth because test-taking is a learned skill, not an innate trait. Poor performance usually stems from anxiety, lack of preparation, or misunderstanding the test's format, rather than a lack of ability. Anyone can improve by building confidence, practicing strategy, and mastering the material.
Key Takeaways on the "Bad Tester" Myth:
It’s About Strategy, Not Just Knowledge: Many "bad testers" actually know the material but fail to apply it under pressure or in a specific, timed format.
Anxiety is a Major Factor: High-stakes testing can trigger a fight-or-flight response, reducing memory recall and cognitive function.
Preparation and Technique: Improving test-taking ability involves learning how to manage time, understanding question types, and reducing negative self-talk.
Testing Skills Can Be Developed: Just as someone can learn to build, develop, or create, they can learn to analyze and break down information for tests
Common Reasons for Poor Testing Performance:
Lack of Preparation: Insufficient studying or reviewing the wrong material.
Test Anxiety: Extreme nervousness causing mental blanks.
Poor Time Management: Spending too long on one question, leading to rushing later.
Overthinking: Misinterpreting questions or looking for hidden, non-existent complexity
So, as we prepare for testing in March and April, please know that not only are we preparing your children for excellence AND they can sign up on the OFFICIAL ACT WEBSITE for FREE ACCESS TO THE ACT Practice Exam. HERE IS THE LINK:
Have a wonderful month! Spring is in the Air!
With Love and Sincerity,
Dion Steele
Principal, Art in Motion