Your child's test style: Quiz

Ran across this and thought I would give it a try. It was pretty right on for us so I thought I would share.


http://www.scholastic.com/parents/schoolandlearning/quiz_teststyle/

DS'S RESULTS

The Dawdler
Kids learn that slow and steady won the race for the turtle in the famous fable, but they won’t ace a test if they spend too much time on each question. Often these children are slow to complete many tasks, whether it’s setting the table or getting ready for school, because they haven’t grasped the concept of time, says Susan Stiffelman, an educational therapist based in Malibu, California.

Use silly at-home tests to help your dawdler perfect his ability to take timed tests, she says. Fill your test with fun questions like “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” or “What color are your dog’s eyes?” Teach him to scan the entire test first, then divide the test question into thirds. If there are 60 questions, for example, have him draw a line on the paper after every 20 questions. Then place an easy-to-read timer on his desk and ask him to divide by one-third the time allotted to complete the test. This will help him learn to manage his time more effectively, and it’s a skill he can learn to use in the classroom and in everyday life.

Find more test-best tips.

DD's RESULTS

The Second-Guesser
These kids are generally bright, but have a hard time committing themselves. They lose their confidence quickly if they don’t completely understand the material at hand.

Help your second-guesser prepare for tests by creating a series of questions during the study period, and encouraging her to answer them without referring to her book or notes. She’ll get a big confidence boost as she realizes she’s grasped the material, says Marion Blank, Ph.D., director of Light on Literacy, a literacy program at Columbia University in New York.

When it’s test day, tell your second-guesser to do an initial scan of the entire test, and answer the questions she knows best first. Then, encourage her to complete the rest of the test, giving answers to all questions, but making tiny notations in the margin next to questions she’s unsure about. Urge her to leave her answers as is unless she can state to herself why her first answer is wrong.