What is a Standardized Test?

A standardized test is a testing system that follows a standard approach. Questions, test duration, and the answers’ evaluation process are the same for all students in these tests.

Why is Standardized Test Important?

OBJECTIVITYStandard tests provide objective measures. Students under assessment are given the same questions, have similar testing conditions, and are graded by a blind reviewer or a machine. The tests facilitate unbiased and accurate information about the knowledge of a student. They also allow parents to know a school's performance compared to other schools in the district and the state.ALLOWS COMPARABILITYStandardized tests make it possible to compare your child's performance with their peers and state benchmarks. The tests further provide parents with information about the performance of a wide range of schools, making it easy for them to identify the best schools in their state.HOLDS SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLEStandardized tests hold schools accountable for their student's academic performance. By analyzing the test results, the government can identify schools that need intervention, reward, or closure. Without such tests, it would be impossible for policymakers to identify schools that deserve rewards or poorly performing ones requiring intervention.

How Do You Prepare Your Child for Standardized Tests?

KNOW THE PURPOSE OF THE TEST.Seek information from the teachers about the purpose of the test. Know if the test is meant to gauge the school's or your child's performance. Also, ask the teachers how about the schedule of the tests for adequate preparation.TALK WITH YOUR CHILDPlease discuss with your child how ready they are for the test. Find out their strengths and weakness, and intervene on their weaknesses. Identify previous mistakes and work on them before the exam. Remember, practice makes perfect.BUILD UP YOUR CHILD’S MINDSETPlease help your child to build a positive mindset since it primarily affects test performance. A positive attitude will also improve your child's confidence. Let them know that you are proud of them no matter how much they score on the test.HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE TEST INSTRUCTIONSReviewing the test instructions thoroughly with your child will give them a clue of what to expect. Let them understand all the instructions before the test begins. Please encourage them to answer all questions through the application of critical thinking skills and confidence.CREATE A HEALTHY ROUTINEHealthy eating habits and a good night's rest can significantly impact your child's performance. Ensure that they sleep early for proper relaxation before the exam day. On the other hand, an adequate diet will improve their physical and mental well-being.CREATE A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE BEFORE THE TEST DAY. During the D-day, prepare a nutritious breakfast for your child to build their stamina. Avoid foods that could cause them fatigue or digestive issues. Encourage them with positive words, a hug, or anything else that will make them feel confident. Also, be relaxed and cheerful, and they will also feel the same.AFTER THE TESTEncourage them to speak out about their thoughts about the positive or negative test. Also, try and understand how they tackled some of the questions in the test. A test analysis will give them better insight for the next test.

Standardized Testing By State

Standardized tests gauge student's learning abilities and teacher's or school's performances. There is a misconception that the test only measures a school’s performance without evaluating individual students’ abilities. Contrary to this misconception, standardized tests play a significant role in your child’s education and may be used in grade promotion or graduation. As a parent, you must effectively prepare your child for the test.

By now, there isn't a U.S. family with school-age children that haven't experienced a standard examination, be it national analyses like the SAT-9, SAT-10, MAT-8, California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR), or New York State Testing Program (NYSTP), or state tests like the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR), as well as Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT).

Standardized Tests Table by State

Name of the State	Name of the Test	Abbreviation
Alabama	Alabama Reading and Mathematics Tests	ARMY
Alaska	Terra Nova	SBA HSGQE
Arizona	Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards	AIMS
Arkansas	Arkansas’ Augmented Benchmark Exam	BABE
California	Standardized Testing and Reporting	STAR
Colorado	Colorado Student Assessment Program	CSAP
Connecticut	Connecticut Mastery Test Connecticut Academic Performance Test	CMT CAPT
Delaware	Delaware Student Testing Program	DSTP
Florida	Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test	F
Georgia	Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests	CRCT
Hawaii	Hawaii State Assessment	HSA
Idaho	Idaho State Achievement Tests	ISAT
Illinois	Illinois Standards Achievement Test	ISAT
Indiana	Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress	ISTEP+
Iowa	Iowa Test of Basic Skills Iowa Tests of Educational Development	ITBS ITED
Kansas	Kansas State Assessment	KSA
Kentucky	Kentucky Core Content Tests	KCCT
Louisiana	LEAP Alternate Assessment	iLEAP
Maine	New England Common Assessment Program Maine Educational Assessment Maine High School Assessment	NECAP MEA MHSA
Maryland	Maryland School Assessment	MSA
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System	MCAS
Michigan	Michigan Educational Assessment Program	MAP
Minnesota	Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments Series II	MCA II
Missouri	Missouri Assessment Program	MAP
Montana	Montana Comprehensive Assessment System	Monica's
Nebraska	Nebraska State Accountability Assessments	NASA
Nevada	Nevada Proficiency Examination Program	NPEP
New Hampshire	New England Common Assessment Program	RECAP
New Jersey	Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers	PARCC
New Mexico	New Mexico Statewide Articulated Assessment Program	NMSBA
New York	New York State Testing Program	NYSTP
North Carolina	North Carolina Standardized Test	LOG
North Dakota	North Dakota’s State Assessment	NDSA
Ohio	Ohio Achievement Test	OAT
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests	OCT
Oregon	Oregon Statewide Assessment System	OAKS
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania System of School Assessment	PSSA
Rhode Island	New England Common Assessment Program	RECAP
South Carolina	South Carolina Statewide Assessment Program	SC PASS
South Dakota	Dakota State Test of Educational Progress	STEP
Tennessee	Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program	TOP
Texas	State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness	STAAR
Utah	Utah Performance Assessment System for Students	U-PASS
Vermont	New England Common Assessment Program	RECAP
Virginia	Virginia Standards of Learning	SOL
Washington	Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program	WCAP
West Virginia	West Virginia Educational Standards Test	WEST
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Knowledge and Concept Evaluation	WKCE
Wyoming	Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students	PAWS

What's More?

For your child to perform better in standardized tests, they will require months or years of preparation. Always check on their school progress and homework progress as a prior preparation for the tests. Also, be there for them by providing them with the necessary learning tools and support. By so doing, you will improve your child’s academic and personal development.

PARENT’S POINT OF VIEW: Think Long-Term

If you want to change your child's performance on standard examinations, do not over-focus on short-term test prep, as it only builds pressure which is typically counter-productive. The best service is to stay involved in your kid's education and keep in mind that standard tests, while providing insight, are not the final say on just how much your kid is discovering or how well they will certainly do in life, even in academics.

At Kids on the Yard, we tutor for growth. Contact us for any query, support, or help concerning standardized tests and more.

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Standardized Testing By State

Standardized Tests Table by State

What's More?

PARENT’S POINT OF VIEW: Think Long-Term

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