Here are some survival strategies that can help her do better:

• Preview the test. Note the point value on each question. This will help budget time.

• Write it all down. All those facts your teen has memorized need to move from her head to the paper. Write down formulas. Make notes on essays.

• Figure out how much time to allow for each section. (Your teen shouldn’t spend half her time on an essay question that counts only 10 percent.)

• Read the directions. Can there be more than one correct answer? Will she be penalized for guessing?

• Answer the easy questions first. This builds confidence.

• Go back to the difficult questions. While your teen has been working on the easy questions, her mind has started thinking about answers to the harder ones. Also, some later questions may help jog her memory about something she forgot on an earlier question.

• Ask teachers to explain items that are not clear. They may help your teen see what the question is asking for.

• Circle key words in difficult questions. This will force your teen to focus on the most important point.

• Rewrite difficult questions. When your teen sees the question in her own words, she may get a better idea of the answer.

• Use all the time. If your teen finishes early, she should cover up her answers and rework some questions. She should check her answer sheet. Is the answer to question 41 on line 41?
  

Copyright © Parent Institute