Our students will be taking the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) Achievement Test April 18th-21st. The Achievement Test is a timed, multiple choice assessment that measures skills inReading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. 

Test Strategies for Students and Parents

During Tests 

• Read and pay careful attention to all directions. 
• Read each passage and accompanying questions.
• Read every possible answer--the best one could be last. 
• Read and respond to items one at a time rather than thinking about the whole test.
• Reread, when necessary, the parts of a passage needed for selecting the correct answer. 
• Don't expect to find a pattern in the positions of the correct answers. 
• Don't make uneducated guesses. Try to get the correct answer by reasoning and eliminating wrong answers. 
• Decide exactly what the question is asking; one response is clearly best. 
• Don't spend too much time on any one question. 
• Skip difficult questions until all other questions have been answered. On scrap paper, keep a record of the unanswered items to return to, if time permits. 
• Make sure to record the answer in the correct place on the answer sheet.
• Only change an answer if you are sure the first one you picked was wrong. Be sure to completely erase changed answers. 
• Work as rapidly as possible with accuracy. 
• After completion of the test, use any remaining time to check your answers. 
• Keep a good attitude. Think positively! 

PARENT TEST-SUPPORT STRATEGIES

Preparing for Testing 

• Note test dates on your home calendar; schedule appointments on non-testing days.
• Encourage your child to take responsibility for homework and class study. 
• Help you child learn how to find information independently. 
• Praise your child for work done well. 
• Encourage your child to ask questions at home and in class. 
• Get to know your child's teachers. 
• Attend parent-teacher conferences. 
• Confer with teachers on a regular basis for progress reports. 
• Gather available test preparation materials. 
• Assure your child knows that you value a good education. 

Testing Day 

• See that your child is rested and eats breakfast. 
• See that your child arrives at school on time and is relaxed.
• Encourage your child to do the best work possible.
• Do not send your child to school if illness is apparent. 
• Do not remove your child from school on test days for appointments.

After Testing 

• Examine all test reports sent home.
• Determine areas of strengths and weaknesses. 
• Praise your child's testing strengths and make a plan to address identified weaknesses. 
• See your child's principal, counselor or teacher if additional information is required.

TEST ANXIETY

Students may experience anxiety about tests and may experience heightened anxiety before a testing situation. A certain degree of test anxiety is normal and may help students prepare more effectively, work more efficiently, and remain focused during testing. Too much anxiety, however, can negatively affect performance. The following strategies may assist students, parents, and teachers in reducing test anxiety.

Student Strategies for Reducing Test Anxiety 

• Share your feelings of anxiety with parents and teachers.
• Think of the test as an opportunity to show what you know.
• Review homework and materials which pertain to the test topics.
• Relax, breathe deeply and stay focused on the test. 
• Remember the test is only one way your academic performance is measured.

Parent Strategies for Reducing Test Anxiety 

• Discuss the test openly and in a positive way.
• Have realistic expectations of your child's performance while encouraging his/her best efforts.
• Emphasize that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
• Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person's worth.

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