A tremendous emphasis is being placed on standardized tests in today’s public schools. Not only can they be a make-or-break event for school systems, but it can often feel that doing poorly can hurt your child as well. Even though this isn’t quite the case, you still want your child to do well, and there are ways you can help.

Before your child takes a standardized test, discuss with him the importance of putting in his best effort, but remind him that it is only one test and far from the sole determinant of his future.

Early elementary school children are not familiar with the atmosphere of a testing room, in which the teacher must refuse to answer questions. Make sure your child is aware of test day rules, such as directions to begin, whether leaving his seat to sharpen a pencil is allowed, and when he must stop writing.

Tell your child not to worry if he does not complete the examination. Several standardized tests are structured so many students will not be able to complete the entire test in the time period allotted.

Tell your child to look back over the test to make it neat and easily correctable. Savvy test takers check for stray marks and bubbles that they have not filled in correctly, as these errors can deduct points.

Tell your child to watch his time carefully, skip questions he doesn’t answer right away to come back to later, and not spend too much time on any one question.

Your overachiever who is used to getting the best grades in the class may be in for a rude awakening on standardized tests. Suddenly, he will be competing against students from across the nation, many of whom are the best in their respective classes.

Some classroom tests are graded on a curve and measure your child in relation to the other kids taking the test. Thus, if your child has very smart classmates, he might actually do well on a test but get a low grade based on how others performed.

Children diagnosed with learning disorders often get special treatment for standardized tests. If your child qualifies, he will likely have the opportunity to take his standardized test in a different location with extended time, more breaks, and amidst a smaller group of people. Children with certain learning disorders can be excused from parts of, or possibly the entire, standardized test.

The more your child reads, the better he will do in all areas of standardized testing. Reading skills are vitally important, and will be examined on every standardized test your child takes.

It will help your auditory learner to soundlessly “read” the test questions and answers by moving his mouth and lips as if he is reading, so he can “hear” the words.

Ask your child’s teacher the following questions about standardized testing:

Which tests will my child take during the school year and for what purposes?

What type of practice tests will there be to help my child prepare?

Will a high test score result in a more challenging curriculum for my child?

If my child’s tests results are poor, will he have access to extra help?

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