Schools

Last Chance to Prepare Your Elementary School MAP Test Takers

Missouri Assessment Program tests in the elementary schools are important to school districts as the results are used meet guidelines established by federal No Child Left legislation. The standardized testing is mandated by the state.

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing in some local elementary schools begins this week for many grade schoolers

MAP testing begins Wednesday in some Northwest schools and continues through the month. In the Rockwood School District, the testing window is from April 2-27. Lindbergh schools will begin MAP testing next week.

The administration in the Northwest School District passed along some common sense tips for parents and students to for a successful testing period.

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Tips for Parents

  • Set your own standards. Make sure your child knows it's important to take the test seriously, follow the rules and do his or her best.
  • Early to bed. A good night's sleep is very important the night before a big test. Most children need at least 10 hours of sleep to perform their best.
  • Prepare a good breakfast. Test morning is not the time for a high-sugar snack -- or no breakfast at all. A nutritious and filling breakfast is a must.
  • Keep things in focus. Standardized tests are just one of the ways that schools evaluate children's abilities. Don't believe, or let your child believe, that poor test results mark him or her as a failure.

Tips for Students

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  • Relax. Try not to be too nervous before the test. Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes for a moment and tell yourself to just stay calm and focused.
  • Listen Up! Pay close attention to the teacher's instructions and carefully read the test instructions to make sure you understand exactly what you are supposed to do.
  • On your mark, get set - whoa! There's no need to rush, so take your time before answering each question.
  • Watch out for tricks. On multiple choice tests, consider all the choices before selecting the one best answer. Beware of choices that are close to the right answer - but aren't.
  • Keep track. Make sure that you match the number of your answer to the question number on your answer sheet. When answering question #3, fill in the #3 question on the answer sheet.
  • Nix doodles and duds. Completely erase incorrect or accidental pencil marks so the sensor doesn't record them as answers.
  • Double jeopardy. Make sure you haven't accidentally filled in two answers for the same question.

One of the best things about standardized tests is that when they're over, they're over! The best thing to do after a test, for both parents and students, is to breathe a big sigh of relief - and then celebrate!


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