When it comes to standardized tests, opinions are rarely neutral. For some, these tests offer invaluable insight into student progress, teacher effectiveness, and school performance. For others, they represent a source of undue stress, competition, and inequity. With both strong advocates and vocal critics, standardized testing remains one of the most debated topics in education.

Let’s dig into the pros and cons of standardized tests and explore whether they truly enhance or limit learning.

The Benefits of Standardized Testing

1. Data Helps for Teaching Improvement

Standardized tests give teachers measurable data to understand how well their students grasp core concepts. This data can help teachers identify areas where students struggle and adjust their teaching methods accordingly.

For example, a teacher can use standardized test results to determine that many students struggle with fractions. Using this data, the teacher can add more fraction-focused lessons and extra support. 

2. A Progress Checkpoint for Students

These tests benchmark students’ progress over time in key academic areas like math, reading, and writing. Students can track their year-over-year progress. This helps them recognize strengths, set goals, and grow academically.

For example, a student who struggles with writing may see their improvement over the years through standardized testing results.

3. Valuable Insights for Parents

Parents benefit from standardized test results, as they provide a sense of where their child stands compared to their peers—locally, provincially, and nationally. This comparison also gives insight into the school’s performance, helping parents make informed decisions about their child’s education.

4. Tool for Governments to Monitor Education Quality

Governments use standardized testing data to assess the overall health of the education system. Policymakers can allocate resources, support schools in need, and ensure educational equity across different regions by identifying underperforming areas.

While there are advantages to standardized testing, it’s also important to consider the challenges it brings.

The Drawbacks of Standardized Testing

1. Major Source of Stress

Test anxiety is real, and for many students, standardized tests represent a high-pressure event that can affect their performance. Teachers also feel this pressure, as the stakes of standardized tests can impact their evaluations and, in some cases, even school funding.

2. Unhealthy Competition

Standardized testing often creates a competitive environment among students, schools, and districts, shifting the focus from collaborative learning and student development to ranking and performance scores.

3. Doesn’t Measure Intelligence 

Standardized tests are often valued for objectivity but don’t measure a student’s intelligence or potential. Research from Harvard reveals that socioeconomic status is a more reliable predictor of SAT scores than schooling or grade level. This suggests that wealthier families may have greater access to test preparation resources, creating an uneven playing field and limiting the test’s fairness.

4. Narrow Scope of Measurement

Standardized tests typically measure a few core skills like reading, writing, and math, which limits the broader picture of learning. Skills like creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and social abilities, which are crucial for future success, often fall outside the reach of these tests. According to Brookings, up to 80% of test score improvements might not actually indicate long-term learning improvements.

Need Help with Standardized Testing? Oxford Learning Can Help

If standardized testing feels overwhelming, Oxford Learning offers support to help students prepare confidently. Our programs are designed to build strong reading, writing, and math skills while reducing test anxiety and boosting self-assurance. 

Reach out to an Oxford Learning centre near you, and let’s make standardized testing less stressful and more successful for your child.

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Originally published in 2014. Updated in 2024.

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This trend of eliminating final exams aims to reduce the stress associated with exams. However, it raises critical questions about the role of exams in education and their importance in student development.

The Role of Exams in Academic and Personal Development

Exams have long been a staple of the education system, serving as key milestones for assessing student understanding and readiness. The decision to eliminate final exams is based on the idea that they are stressful and not having exams would help to improve student well-being. However, this approach overlooks the benefits of experiencing and managing academic stress.

Imagine applying this logic to other areas of life: 

• Should we eliminate driving tests because they cause stress for prospective drivers? 
• Or abolish bar exams for lawyers and medical licensing exams for doctors? 

Clearly, this is impractical and could lead to serious consequences.

Tests do more than give a picture of students’ concept mastery, such as the subject facts they remember; test results can also provide insights into non-cognitive skills, such as a student’s ability to organize information, prioritize their time, assess information, and demonstrate perseverance.

The Trend of Eliminating Exams Across Canada

The OCDSB is not alone in this movement. Across Canada, several school boards are moving away from traditional exams. For example, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is encouraging teachers to “decolonize” assessment practices, suggesting alternatives like essays or creative projects such as TikTok videos. In British Columbia, some school districts are exploring similar changes, emphasizing project-based learning and continuous assessment over traditional final exams.

While these changes aim to reduce student stress and promote mental well-being, they may also leave many graduates unprepared for post-secondary education and their professional lives.

Why Exams Matter

1. Preparation for Future Challenges

Education aims to prepare students for the future, including teaching them how to handle stress effectively. Moderate stress levels, like those experienced before and during an exam, can motivate students to prepare thoroughly, review material, and practice essential skills—habits invaluable in higher education and the workforce.

2. Academic Readiness

Many students will go on to pursue post-secondary education, where exams are still common. It would be a disservice if their first encounter with a final exam is in university or college. High schools are crucial in ensuring students are well-prepared for these academic challenges.

3. Fair Assessment

While various methods exist to assess student learning, final exams remain one of the most accurate, efficient, and fair ways to understand student comprehension of course material. They provide a structured way to measure learning outcomes that alternative assessments may not always capture.

Learn more here about why final exams and quizzes help students learn better.

Our Commitment to Supporting Students

At Oxford Learning, we believe in preparing students for all aspects of their educational journey. While we support innovative and diverse assessment methods, we also recognize the value of traditional exams. We are dedicated to helping students manage academic stress effectively and develop strong study habits. Our experienced tutors provide personalized support to ensure that students are prepared for their exams and equipped with the skills needed for lifelong success.

Let us partner with you to ensure your child’s academic success. Contact us today to learn more about our tutoring services and how we can support your students through every stage of their educational journey.

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The post Why Schools Shouldn’t Eliminate Final Exams appeared first on Oxford Learning.

What causes students to freeze on exams? And what learning strategies can students employ to break the ‘freeze’ and pave the way for success?

Tip 1: Understanding Freezing on Exams

Countless high school students share a common concern: they study diligently and believe they understand the material, yet experience a mental block during exams. Brain “freeze” during exams can result in lower-than-expected grades. 

During exams, what actually happens in the brain that causes the mind to go blank?

Exam stress can trigger a shift from logical (cold cognition) to emotionally driven thinking (hot cognition). In a calm setting, minimal stress hormones allow for rational thinking. However, high-stakes exams activate stress hormones like norepinephrine and cortisol, impairing memory recall and disrupting logical processing. 

This shift, driven by the hypothalamus, can lead to a “mind blank,” wiping out working memory and hindering rational cognitive activity during exams.

Tip 2: Applying Study Skills in Real Life

One surprising fact is that many students who take study skills programs actually struggle to apply these skills effectively in their daily lives. Often, the skills are memorized but not understood.

The missing link is making study skills a fundamental part of one’s thought process—a new way of thinking seamlessly integrating into academic and personal goals. At Oxford Learning, we believe that studying is more than just about memorizing. Instead, proper studying is about deepening comprehension. 

Learn more about our study skills to help here.

Tip 3: Unlock Emotional and Motivational Barriers—Testing Anxiety 

Merely memorizing new rules won’t solve the problem. Successful study skills programs go beyond addressing surface-level issues and delve into the emotional and motivational barriers that hinder academic success. Students can break free from the ‘freeze’ and perform at their true potential by unlocking these hidden obstacles.

Successful study programs go beyond surface-level memorization and understand that testing anxiety can significantly impact a student’s performance. To overcome this, it’s crucial to identify emotional barriers such as fear of failure or lack of confidence. Effective study programs tailor approaches, offering counselling, emotional support, and techniques like mindfulness. 

Promoting a growth mindset encourages students to view tests as opportunities for personal development. Practical strategies such as effective time management and using practice tests help students feel more confident at test time. Ongoing assessment ensures the effectiveness of these approaches, empowering students to overcome testing anxiety and perform at their academic best.

Tip 4: Understand What’s Happening: the Anatomy of Exam Freeze

The experience of freezing during an exam is not a sudden occurrence but a result of various factors that come into play during the test. 

When students encounter questions that may seem familiar, the challenge of recalling the necessary information intensifies, eventually resulting in a mental block. Simply put, students freeze on exams when they try to access information that hasn’t been properly organized in their memory, creating a temporary block in their cognitive processes.

Test anxiety can also make freezing on exams a challenge. The stress caused by test anxiety further hampers cognitive performance, making students freeze on exams.

Tip 5: Active Learning Strategies to Unlock Exam Stress

How can students get over test anxiety? Shifting from a passive mindset to an active learning process is crucial. 

Five Proven Study Strategies for Test Success:

1. Create Study Notes

Every night, spend 10 minutes per subject summarizing the day’s lessons into concise study notes. Break down information into main ideas, supporting details, and sub-details. Make these notes short, in point form, and use your own words.

2. Review

Revisit study notes 48 hours later. Instead of memorizing, focus on understanding the content. Turn the notes into a story or visualization to enhance comprehension and retention.

3. Keep Track

Maintain a day book, planner, or agenda to organize assignments, tests, homework, and personal information. Make entries in class as you receive assignments or test dates. Review nightly before starting a study session.

4. Identify What Works

Identify distractions that hinder focus, such as noise, movement, or crowds. Adjust the study environment accordingly. If noise is a problem, find a quiet place for focused study.

5. Set Long-Range Goals

A mindset shift helps students understand that success is a student’s responsibility. Setting and pursuing long-term goals helps students understand the purpose of learning and take control of their education.

Implementing study strategies contributes to active learning, breaking the cycle of ‘freezing’ by engaging the mind more dynamically and purposefully.

Unlock the key to a successful high school year—find out more here.

Beat Test Anxiety for Good With Oxford Learning

Oxford Learning can help students break free from the exam ‘freeze’ and find a proactive study approach that goes beyond memorization. By understanding the root causes of this phenomenon and adopting active learning strategies, students can transform their study habits and unleash their true academic potential. 

Remember, it’s not just about studying harder; it’s about studying smarter and more effectively. 

Embrace these strategies, and watch as the ‘freeze’ gives way to newfound confidence and success in your academic journey.

Learn more about overcoming exam freeze and test anxiety at Oxford Learning. 

Oxford Learning helps students stop freezing on exams for good. 

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The post 5 Tips to Prevent Freezing On Exams appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Don’t believe us? Read on!

Did you know that if you quiz students once a week, they perform better on midterms and final exams? That’s right, quizzed students tend to outperform students who aren’t quizzed. Weekly quizzes, on top of instant teacher feedback, have a positive impact on students.

Not All Quizzes Are Bad 

The most helpful kind of quizzes are the ones that are the least time-consuming. This is why quick and easy practice quizzes on recently taught content are the most beneficial. If quizzes are frequent and provide students with immediate feedback, this helps students to improve. It’s called retrieval practice. 

What is Retrieval Practice? 

Retrieval practice is as simple as asking students to write down facts from the previous day. It is often easier to give students a brief quiz on a prior class lesson.

Retrieval practice works because it helps students retain information better than studying material. Students become more familiar with the topic when reviewing the concept. Students who aren’t quizzed quickly forget content without this learning strategy.

There is a fear that quizzing students often will lead to anxiety. However, if quizzing with low-stakes (minor to no grades), students are shown to have a grade point 3x higher on their final. This effort’s shown to be most effective.

Discover how to support your child’s study habits—read the full guide here.

Quizzes Prevent Students From Losing Focus

We all know what it’s like to be sitting in class and have our minds drift off. Even when the lecture is about something we’re interested in. Sometimes it seems inevitable that, at some point, we will lose focus. As a consequence, not retain the information that’s taught.

A recent study suggests that including more tests and quizzes during lectures may prevent students from losing focus.

Quizzing students on material as they learn could be a great way to grab their attention. Quizzing students also helps their comprehension levels and helps them retain information better. Yet, teachers may also be concerned. They worry that the constant testing will add extra stress that would hurt student learning.

Studying Is More Efficient After a Quiz

Quizzes give teachers feedback. 

Frequent quizzes give the teacher an idea of how well the class grasps the concepts. Quizzes help students identify what students know and what they don’t know. This helps teachers to understand where students need help.

After a quiz, students have a better idea of how well they grasp the material. This will (hopefully) motivate them to study more. Their results will also help them divide their study time more effectively by focusing on the information that needs improvement. 

Quizzes and tests help students to learn because these tasks involve retrieval practice or thinking back to information before learning and bringing it to mind.

Oxford Learning Can Help

Contact your local centre today to learn more about how Oxford Learning can help your child to develop impressive studying skills and get the most out of their education! 

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Test anxiety can leave many students to feel discouraged and frustrated with school. Though it takes patience and hard work, test anxiety can be managed with the right coping skills and techniques.

So how can you help if your child is struggling? Read on to find out some of the best ways to manage (and overcome) test anxiety according to students—and how you can help! Also for parents or adults who are battling with anxiety, a disposable vape pen made from blue runtz strain has an anti-anxiety properties.

8 Student-Approved Test Anxiety Coping Strategies

While Your Child Is Studying

1. Create a Study Schedule

Your child may feel anxious that the mountain of material he or she has to study can never be conquered. This feeling is understandable but can be easily fixed! Overcome exam anxiety by being properly prepared for the test from the start.

Work with your child to divide notes into manageable sections and work out a study schedule so he or she can work away at the material bit by bit. This way, your child will feel more confident in the material while preparing for tests.

2. Take Frequent Study Breaks

Studying for hours on end not only makes it harder to retain the material—it also makes your child fixate on the material, leading to feelings of anxiety.

Breaks are important as they give your child some space from the material and keep the test in perspective. Make sure your child is taking breaks by getting fresh air, meditating, or listening to music every 20-30 minutes while studying.

3. Practice With Mock Tests

A major reason tests create anxiety is because students fear the unknown. Your child doesn’t know what questions are going to be on the test—this can be frightening and overwhelming.

Help relieve this anxiety by creating mock tests in the weeks and days leading up to the test. Be sure to remove any study aids or distractions to create an environment that mimics a real testing room. As your child completes the mock tests he or she will start to feel more comfortable with the material and gain confidence in his or her test writing abilities.

The Day Of The Test

4. Eat Something Nutritious

Brain-boosting foods that are high in protein will give your child energy and keep his or her mind sharp during the test. A good breakfast will also ensure your child doesn’t feel disoriented or lightheaded. Make sure your child isn’t snacking on foods too high in sugar—this will help ensure he or she doesn’t crash midway through the test or start to feel jittery.

5. Arrive Early

It is easy to feel panicked and flustered when running late; arrive early to write an exam to avoid adding on to existing anxiety.

If you’re driving your child to the exam, be sure to leave extra early and tune up your ca with the automatic running boards 4runner so you’re not running late even in case of emergency. If your child getting him or herself to the test, remind him or her to plan ahead and arrive early as some exams rooms lock once the exam starts.

6. Keep The Test In Perspective

Many students ‘catastrophize’ exams—they build up the significance of their mark on the exam and worry excessively. It’s important to take grades seriously, but worrying too much can actually hinder your child’s ability to perform. Your child won’t be able to focus on the material because he or she is so fixated on not getting anything wrong.

Understanding that a test won’t make or break a final grade can be an effective way to manage exam anxiety. Sit down with your child and remind him or her that it’s unrealistic to be perfect on every test or assignment—what’s important is that he or she is putting his or her best effort into it.

7. Skip A Question if Needed

While taking the test, encourage your child to circle any unknown questions, move on to the next question, and revisit them later. Getting fixated on a difficult question will not only make your son or daughter feel anxious—it can also eat away valuable test time.

Plus, answering the questions your child knows first will help him or her build confidence while taking the test.

8. Talk Together After The Test

Once your child completes the test, discuss how proud you are that he or she got through it. For many students, after going through a stressful experience, all they want it to go home and be with family. Having open arms to return to will make writing the test less stressful because your child has something to look forward to.

Is your child struggling with test anxiety? We’re here to help! Our study skills tutors can help your child excel by developing strong test-taking skills and building his or her confidence.

The post How to Overcome Test Anxiety (According To Students) appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Sometimes, there’s just no getting around the stress that comes with an upcoming test.

Understanding what type of test-taker your child is can help him or her learn to study more effectively and complete tests with as little anxiety as possible.

Understanding What Type of Test Taker Your Child Is

Just as students use different strategies for writing notes or learning material, they also have different strategies for studying and writing tests.

There are 5 common types of test takers: the Perfectionist, the Memorizer, the Improviser, the Stresser, and the Uninterested.

It’s common for students to show signs of being more than one type of test taker. If this is the case for your child, try the recommendations listed for the different types and see which ones work best.

If you’re not sure which category your child fits into, make note of his or her study habits when preparing for a test. You can also speak to your child’s teacher to get some perspective.

Equip your child with strategies for success—see the guide here.

What Type of Test Taker is Your Child?

The Perfectionist

This student starts studying the day his or her teacher announces the test. This type of test taker is determined to know every answer and feels a lot of pressure to know everything that may be tested. This student has a study schedule, well-organized notes, and will spend much more time studying than many of his or her peers.

During the test, this student knows most of the answers but will become easily frustrated if he or she forgets anything. This student takes the entire testing time to review answers in case anything was missed. After the test, he or she will obsess over incorrect answers.

Tips For the Perfectionist Test Taker

Promote study breaks
Your child has great study habits, and is committed to doing well in school—which is great! But it’s important to take a step back from schoolwork every once in a while. Promote study breaks so your child has time to relax and let off some steam after studying. These breaks will help make sure your child doesn’t get overly stressed or frustrated with the amount of work he or she is taking on.

Let your child know it’s OK not to know every answer
Your child is working hard to make sure he or she isn’t disappointing anyone (including him or herself). This pressure to be perfect can be unhealthy. Make sure your child knows that not being perfect is okay—no one can know everything!

Help your child to let go of wrong answers
If you notice your son or daughter focusing too much on test scores or reviewing grades long after the test was written, teach him or her to let go and accept that it’s OK to make mistakes. Rather than looking at these mistakes as a failure, help your child look at them as an opportunity to learn something new, and improve on next time.

The Memorizer

This is a student who can tell you every fact about the material being tested but isn’t always able to apply this knowledge to overarching concepts. He or she knows dates, definitions, and names, but may have trouble thinking about the bigger picture.

When preparing for the test, he or she makes cue cards of facts and figures but may not think critically about the entire lesson. The student excels in multiple choice and fill in the blank portions of the test, but has a hard time with short and long answer questions. He or she excels in knowledge testing questions but has a tough time with application questions.

Tips For the Memorizer Test Taker

Ask about your child’s opinion on the material
Your child already knows the “who, what, where, and when” of a concept. Work with him or her to make sure the “why” is also understood. You can spark your child’s interest about the “why” by connecting it to his or her own experience. Learning about a historical figure? Ask if your child would make the same decisions they did. Learning about science? Do a fun experiment with your child related to what he or she is learning.

Have your child write down all he or she knows
When studying, have your son or daughter write 5-6 sentences about the main concepts or topics. This will force him or her to dig deeper into the material and understand it more fully. It will also help prepare your child for any long-form questions that may be on the test.

Ask your child to teach you
Ask your child to explain what he or she is learning to you. Show a genuine interest in the material and pretend you don’t know what your child is talking about. This is a great way to test your child’s knowledge on the subject and identify areas that need more work. Plus, your child’s confidence will soar after teaching you about what he or she is learning.

The Improviser

This type of student usually waits until the last moment to review test material, and goes into the test relying on his or her ability improvise the answers. He or she writes the test as quickly as possible and doesn’t usually take time to go back to review his or her answers.

This type of test-taker may manage decent grades or may fall far below the performance of his or her peers. Because he or she has a “wing-it” attitude and relies only on what he or she remembers learning in class, this type of student typically lacks effective study skills.

Tips For The Improviser Test Taker

Encourage your child to review in advance
Your child may be able to skate by in school with little effort now—however, in higher education, studying and test-taking skills are incredibly important. Encourage your child to sit down and practise building these skills, and review the material far in advance.

Praise your child for revisiting the material
Get your child into the habit of reviewing answers at least once after the test is written. This will give your child a chance to revisit the material and brush up on areas that need a bit of extra focus. It will also help your child avoid a “write it and forget it” attitude toward test-taking.

Spark his or her interest
Many children attempt to avoid spending more time studying because they just aren’t interested in what is being taught. To help combat this, see if your child’s interests can be connected to course material. Sometimes even just connecting what is being taught to a real-world example can help make the material more relatable (and less boring).

The Stresser

This student usually has adequate studying habits. He or she studies in advance, knows the material fairly well, and listens well in class.

However, when it comes to sitting down and writing the test, the student freezes up. He or she knows the answers walking into the classroom, but will draw a blank once the test is given out. This student becomes flustered, is unable to recall the answers, and often gets emotional during the testing period. Once the student leaves the testing room, he or she feels very frustrated with his or her performance.

Tips For the Stresser Test Taker

Do practice tests at home
Test anxiety is very common, and there are many ways you can help. Help your child by doing mock tests at home on the material being tested. This way, your child gets used to being tested, but in a comfortable, safe environment. When it comes to the real test, these practice runs will help your child feel more prepared and confident.

Tell your child you’re not expecting perfection
The pressure of not making mistakes is usually what causes this type of student to freeze up. Make sure your child knows that it’s OK to get some answers wrong—being prepared and trying his or her best is what is most important. Knowing that it’s OK to not ace every answer will help relieve some of this anxiety.

Help your child get into the right mindset
Make sure your child is as comfortable as possible when taking the test. Make sure he or she is prepared, well rested, and has eaten a good breakfast. Have your son or daughter mentally repeat “I’ve studied hard and know the material; I’ve got this!” while taking deep, calming breaths.

The Uninterested

This is a student who doesn’t typically study for tests. During the test, he or she guesses most of the answers and tries to recall information he or she heard in class.

This student hands in the test after filling out the answers and doesn’t bother rereading any answers. Once the test is completed, he or she isn’t usually concerned with whether he or she achieved a good mark.

Tips For the Uninterested Test Taker

Support the development of study habits
Sit down with your child every afternoon for an “hour of power” where he or she studies the material together with you. Be sure to fit in study breaks every 20 or 30 minutes to avoid any frustration or stress. Even quick study sessions make a big difference. And once your child sees the hard work paying off, it may motivate him or her to continue doing well in school.

Motivate him or her with a career path
If your child just isn’t interested in learning, try motivating him or her by talking about future career paths. Find out what type of career your child is interested in, and introduce him or her to someone in that industry. This may help spark the connection that school is important when it comes to starting his or her post-secondary path.

Check in with him or her regularly
Check in with your child and talk to him or her about why he or she isn’t motivated to do well in school. Your child may be dealing with other issues at school that are pulling his or her attention elsewhere. Talk to your son or daughter’s teacher and find out if your child is struggling in any areas at school (whether academic or social).

Make Test Preparation Easier

Testing time can be stressful for you and your child. Fortunately, there are many resources and services available to help your child reach his or her full potential.

Check out some of our favourites here:
How To Study Using The Spaced Practice Method
11 Bad Study Habits To Avoid… And Become A More Successful Student
How To Find The Right Tutoring Program For Your Child

The post Common Types of Test Takers (And Study Tips For Each) appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Many students experience some amount of stress and anxiety before and during exams. However, test anxiety is more severe, and can actually impair learning and hurt test performance. To fend off all that stress, products such as CBD UK can be availed.

Because of this, it’s important to know how to identify test anxiety in your child so he or she can learn how to deal with it.

Keep reading to learn more about test anxiety and how it can affect students.

What Is Test Anxiety?

Test anxiety is more than feeling a little nervous before a test. For students who struggle with test anxiety, a bit of pre-exam nervousness turns into debilitating feelings of worry, dread, and fear, which can negatively impact performance.

Students can struggle with test anxiety at any age. For many students, test anxiety rises sharply in students in Grades 2 to 4 and remains high as they move through middle school and high school, and sometimes remedies like the best CBD gummies can help the students reduce anxiety and feel better.
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The Effects Of Test Anxiety On Students

According to the American Test Anxieties Association, “schoolwork” and “exams” are reported by students as the most stressful thing in their lives.

It’s easy to dismiss test anxiety as something that is simply part of being a student. However, left unchecked, the effects of test anxiety can take a toll on students.

In fact, students who struggle with test anxiety typically fall a half a letter grade below their peers. In addition to academic impacts, text anxiety can affect a student’s mental health, including lowered self-esteem, confidence, and motivation.

Causes Of Test Anxiety

There are a number of things that can cause test anxiety. Usually, these causes can be broken down into situational causes and mental causes.

Situational Causes

• The pressure of timed tests
• Intimidation of taking tests in a crowded classroom
• Poor study skills or a lack of preparedness
• A history of stress related to test taking
• Lack of understanding of the material
• Previous poor test performance

Mental Causes

• Fear of poor grades
• A feeling of lack of control
• Fear of letting down others (parents, teachers)
• Placing too much emphasis on single tests and exams
• High expectations of his/her own performance
• Using grades as a reflection of self worth
• Poor self-esteem or negative self-talk

Who Is Likely to Have Test Anxiety?

Even the best students can struggle with test anxiety. There are typically two types of students who are likely to have trouble with test anxiety:

The High Achieving Student

Students who have high expectations of themselves or who are perfectionists are likely to struggle with test anxiety. These students tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves and have a hard time dealing with mistakes. This can easily lead to these students becoming overwhelmed during the test, resulting in their mind freezing or going blank.

The Underprepared Student

Students who haven’t properly prepared for a test are also likely to deal with test anxiety. This usually happens because the student put off studying too long or simply does not understand the material. This can lead to low confidence when it’s time to take the test. And when students go into a test thinking they’re going to fail, it can lead to it actually happening.

Does Your Child Suffer From Test Anxiety?

Signs Of Test Anxiety

• • Freezing or “going blank” during tests

Even when your child has prepared and studied the material, he or she freezes and is unable to recall information when it’s time to take the test.

• • Worrying about forgetting material while studying

Your child worries that he or she isn’t prepared or will forget everything even though he or she has studied and knows the material.

• • Feeling like he or she has never done enough to prepare

Your child spends excessive hours studying and worries that he or she will fail no matter how much he or she has done to prepare.

• • A feeling of doom or fear of failure during tests or exams

Your child becomes stressed or upset talking about upcoming tests and is preoccupied with thoughts of failure.

• • Difficulty concentrating while studying for upcoming tests

Your child has a hard time staying on task when he or she sits down to study. Instead, he or she becomes frustrated or overwhelmed by the thought of the upcoming test.

• • Putting off studying for tests until the last minute

Your child avoids studying for tests and will procrastinate until the very last moment (usually the night before).

• • Performing well in class or on homework, but failing to do well when tested

Your child knows the material when he or she is in class or working on homework, but gets poor grades when tested on the material.

• • A lack of confidence

Your child goes into tests with negative thoughts and gives up without really trying. Your child may think “what’s the point, I’m just going to fail anyway”, leading to a cycle of low grades and more stress.

• • Physical symptoms before a test

Test anxiety can result in physical symptoms, including a racing heartbeat, headache, lightheadedness, and even nausea. Your child may complain of an upset stomach or any of these other symptoms leading up to a test.

Overcoming Test Anxiety Starts With Understanding It

Once you have identified whether your child is struggling with test anxiety, you can start taking steps to overcome it. Our study skills tutors can help your child develop test-taking skills that help build confidence so your child can perform his or her best.

The post What Is Test Anxiety (And How It Affects Students) appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Whether it was a particularly tough exam or your child just didn’t understand the material, getting over a bad grade on a test is an important part of doing better next time. After all, making mistakes is a part of the learning process!

How can you help your child make the most of a “bad grade situation?” Keep reading to find out what to do if your child fails a test so he or she can do better next time.

What To Do When Your Child Gets A Bad Grade

1. Don’t Panic

If your child brings home a bad mark on a test or assignment, don’t panic. One bad grade isn’t the end of the world. Instead, ask your child why he or she thinks the test or assignment went poorly. It can also help to give your child some time to step away from the bad mark before he or she comes back to address it with a clearer mind.

2. Review Mistakes

Go over any mistakes your child made together. Look for a pattern to help identify the cause of these mistakes. Is it a certain type of question (like multiple choice or long answer)? A lack of understanding the material? Not enough preparation? Once you know why your child struggled, you can start focusing on fixing those areas.

3. Adjust Your Expectations

Sometimes a “bad grade” isn’t as bad as you think. If your child is used to receiving straight As, a B can feel like a poor grade. Everyone gets a grade they aren’t happy with every once in a while. If your child is aiming for perfect grades, remind him or her that it’s ok to get an average grade—no one can be perfect all the time!

4. Find Areas Of Improvement

Look for areas your child can improve for his or her next test. If he or she struggled in a certain subject, take some extra time each night to review the material. If your child just didn’t prepare enough, help him or her make a study schedule that includes starting to study further in advance of the next test.

5. Set New Goals

After you and your child have figured out why he or she received a poor mark, set a goal for the next test or assignment. This goal can be to improve his or her grade, but you should also set goals on how to make this happen. These goals could include creating a daily study plan for the next test or to review class material for 30 minutes each day after school.

6. Make A Plan For Next Time

Help your child make a plan for next time. The best way to do this is to help your child make use of his or her daily agenda. Have him or her include dates of upcoming tests, when to start studying, how long to study each night, and what material to cover. Having a plan to follow will make it easier for your child to improve his or her performance on the next test.

7. Prove Yourself Wrong

A poor grade can be a confidence-killer, but it doesn’t have to be. If your child is disappointed with the grade he or she got, encourage him or her to use that as motivation to do better next time. Look on the positive side and use this as an opportunity to help your child work on improving the areas where he or she struggled.

8. Ask About Extra Credit

Some teachers will allow students to take a makeup test to help improve their mark. Talk to the teacher and find out if this is something your child can do. If not, ask about extra credit assignments your child can work on to help boost his or her mark in the class.

9. Get Feedback From The Teacher

If you notice your child’s grades are starting to continually slip, book a meeting with his or her teacher to talk about any issues your child might be having. This will help you better understand how your child is performing in class and allow you to talk about how your child’s teacher can provide some extra help.

10. Find A Tutor

In addition to your son’s or daughter’s teacher, a tutor can also help if your child is struggling to keep his or her grades up. A tutor can help identify areas where your child can improve, like time management, study skills, or subject material to help boost his or her performance.

Helpful Study Resources

If your child needs help overcoming a bad grade on his or her test, these study resources can help:
11 Bad Study Habits To Avoid
How To Take Effective Study Notes (With Examples)
12 Secrets To Studying More Effectively

The post How To Get Over A Bad Grade On A Test appeared first on Oxford Learning.

What’s going on?

It might sound strange, but studying hard doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to ace your test—it’s just one part of preparing for an exam.

“I Know The Material, But I Still Failed The Test!”

Studying effectively is the real key to a successful grade. And if you’re studying hard but still getting bad grades, it’s probably the part you’re missing

So, now you know the secret isn’t studying hard, it’s studying more effectively. But where should you start?

The first step is figuring out what your problem might be and how to address it.

Help your child succeed—see the ultimate study guide here.

Here are the 9 most common reasons students get bad grades, despite studying (plus tips to help).

Cause #1: You’re Struggling With Test Anxiety

The problem: If you feel so nervous that your mind goes blank when you sit down for a test, you could be struggling with test anxiety. This makes it hard to remember what you studied and concentrate on answering the questions in front of you.

The solution: If you’ve studied and you know the material, try to relax on test day. Think positive thoughts (“I studied for this, I know the material”) and practise taking deep breaths while you’re taking the test.

Cause #2: You’re Not Studying to Understand

The problem: When you study, you only memorize the material rather than thinking about what it means.

The solution: It’s important to not just memorize the material; you need to understand it. Think about how the material you’re reviewing connects to other topics and ideas. This will give you a deeper, more complete understanding of what you’re studying.

Cause #3: You Don’t Start Studying Early Enough

The problem: You procrastinate studying, not leaving yourself enough time to absorb the material before test day.

The solution: Create a routine that involves reviewing your notes regularly. Each night, take a few minutes to go over your notes from class. This ongoing review will help make sure you remember the material long-term.

Cause #4: You’re Pulling All-Nighter Study Sessions

The problem: You pull all-night cram sessions instead of studying a little bit each day leading up to the test.

The solution: Sleep is when material is moved from short-term to long-term memory, so getting a good night’s sleep before a test is more effective than staying up all night. Plan ahead and start studying at least 3 days before your test to avoid last minute late-night studying.

Cause #5: You’re Trying To Do Too Much

The problem: You study for hours at a time with no breaks. But spending more time studying doesn’t always mean you understand the material any better.

The solution: Instead of studying in large time blocks, use the spacing study method. This means studying for set amounts of time with time intervals between each session. This will help your brain absorb and retain the material more effectively.

Cause #6: You’re Missing A Study Plan

The problem: You don’t have a plan to guide your study sessions, making it hard to know what you should focus on while you are studying.

The solution: Set goals for each of your study sessions of what you want to accomplish. This will help you keep track of your progress and know which areas you still need to review.

Cause #7: You’re Studying The Wrong Things

The problem: Your study sessions go fine, but when you sit down to take the test you see questions that you didn’t include in your review notes.

The solution: Start creating more organized and effective study notes. Pay close attention in class to important things your teacher says (especially if he or she repeats something!). Highlight these things in your notes so you know to come back to them.

Cause #8: You Only Study For The Exam

The problem: Studying is something that you only do when you are preparing for an upcoming test.

The solution: Take advantage of studying opportunities like in class discussions, peer study groups, and reviewing your notes after class. Studying a little bit each day makes it easier to study (and remember) the material, giving you a head start when it comes to test time.

Cause #9: You’re Using The Wrong Learning Method

The problem: You are using a study method that doesn’t match with the way you learn. For example, auditory learners learn best by hearing, not writing notes.

The solution: Find out your learning style with our complete study guide for every type of learner. Then, try different study methods to find the ones that work best for you:

• Auditory learners: read your notes aloud while you are reviewing material
• Visual learners: visualize the material with mind maps or use visual elements like colour
• Read/Write learners: read over class notes and write out new study notes to review
• Kinaesthetic (hands-on) learners: create hands-on study activities, like a matching game

Still Struggling With Poor Grades?

If your child is studying hard but still getting bad grades, our tutors can help. Contact your nearest Oxford Learning Centre to book an appointment today!

The post I Study Hard, So Why Do I Get Bad Grades? appeared first on Oxford Learning.

Did you know…

Students who plan on taking these post-secondary entrance tests require at least 60 hours of prep time in order to maximize their performance once test day arrives?

Stats on SAT Studying and ACT Studying

Here’s some stats that remind us just how important proper studying for these tests are:

• Only 43% of SAT test-takers score high enough to meet college success standards source
• 28% of all graduates did not meet any of the ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks
• 4% of SATⓇ takers achieved a score between 2100–2400, the latter of which is the highest score
• 1.92 million ACT test takers scored a 20, which is the lowest possible score to be be competitive for entry into college

With so much content and endless concepts to comprehend, it can be difficult to know where to start studying for these major tests… We have some suggestions!

Preparing for the Tests:

Amid those 60 hours of studying, be sure to complete multiple practice tests and take prep courses to help keep you on track.

Begin early. Teens have a lot on their plate, so the earlier that they begin studying, the better they can balance studying with regular schoolwork and other time commitments.

Tailor the approach. Focus studying on the subject areas that require the most attention.

Learn various test-taking tips. Various portions of the tests use different testing techniques, so become familiar with what each section requires.

Oxford Learning’s GPA 5.0 SATⓇ and ACT Programs courses offer specific strategies for completing each section of the test, which helps optimize the overall score. Our course offers customized approach and targeted focus will help your teen navigate the exams, as well as:

• Establish a study timeline
• Practice with timed tests
• Receive hands-on practice
• Improve confidence
• Find a sense of relief

Having that sense of relief, along with feeling calm and confident, can really help improve your test performance and get you into the school of your dreams—in addition to lots of studying, of course!

The post ACT Study Tips for Acing the ACT & SATⓇ Study Tips for Surpassing the SAT appeared first on Oxford Learning.