American schools face pressure to increase their students' test scores. Research reports have shown American students to be particularly stressed over test taking partially because of other outside interests in their lives that also take up time. This paper offers tips to help students relieve stress arising from the testing situation. Students…

This book is designed to help the adult learner overcome test anxiety and become an effective test taker. A survey to determine what the reader knows about test formats is followed by facts on many types of tests, help with real-world problems in test taking, reviews of writing skills for essay tests, and practice test questions. Some resources,…

Summarizes research related to humor in testing and presents new evidence on the effectiveness of humor in constructed-response items. Findings from a survey at Johns Hopkins University's School of Nursing indicated that students feel that humor makes a difference in their test performance. Describes specific strategies for using humor in tests.…

This long-awaited third edition has been expanded to 90 warm-up items and two complete practice tests. Also included are 240 diagnostic and review items to assist candidates in preparing for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification's national certification examination for therapeutic recreation specialists. The "Study…

This paper describes the PEACEful assessment process for testing anxious gifted children. Steps include: (1) Preparing the test setting; (2) Encouraging the child's exploration; (3) Acclimating the child to the testing process; (4) Conducting calm and unhurried assessments; and (5) Evaluating and adapting interactions with the child. A case study…

This collection of documents contains advice on doing well on tests by preparing and using the whole brain. The first sheet contains general tips for helping students become fact-smart, how to improve test-smartness, and how to build test-smartness. The combination of these three approaches assures that students will do their best on tests. The…

This book, one of a series, shares ideas on how parents can help children cope with and learn from tests. The message of the series urges parents and children to spend time together, talk about stories, and learn together. The first part of each book presents stories appropriate for varying grade levels, both younger children and those in grades…

This article provides suggestions for treating test anxiety by training students in stress management strategies. Detailed instructions for teaching deep muscle relaxation are provided, followed by an introduction to Wolpe's (1958) technique of systematic desensitization, which features identification of a hierarchy of anxiety-producing situations…

Most students suffer some test anxiety. A two-pronged approach to holding students' test anxiety at bay suggests that teachers keep testing low-key to minimize fear and that students learn a systematic study method so they will be prepared. Some children may need professional help to conquer their fears. (SM)

Provided are suggestions for parents who want to know how best to help their children develop study habits that will insure a good chance for school success. After a description of the importance of good study habits, the responsibilities of parents, teachers, and students for developing appropriate study settings and behaviors are set out.…

This book is designed to help students become better test takers. It helps them feel more confident and less stressed before, during, and after the test. Section 1, "Tests? Blech!" discusses why it is necessary to test students. Section 2, "Test SOS," presents test-taking hints; top secret information about tests and student behavior during tests;…

Certain easy-to-teach and relatively low-risk counseling exercises and techniques have been found to be effective in reducing test anxiety. Test anxiety is considered a "normal developmental difficulty" and is generally encountered as an academic difficulty rather than a personal one. A brief, convenient psychoeducational group format is…

Teachers and clinicians can help ease the anxiety of mildly- to moderately-handicapped three- to five-year-olds and their parents during educational assessment by: careful planning and preparation before testing; gathering all testing materials before screening; talking with parents; understanding children's feelings of restlessness and anxiety;…

Assessment via tests and examinations may be viewed as burdensome, coercive, and irrelevant by gifted students. Teachers can help students overcome negative attitudes toward assessment by: assessing students' best (as opposed to typical) efforts; involving students in planning and developing the assessment program; and providing specific,…

The guide was developed by the Health Careers Opportunity Program, the principal Federal program focused on increasing the numbers of disadvantaged individuals who train for and enter the health professions. The guide is intended to help institutional grantees working with such students in the areas of: (1) diagnostic testing in cognitive and…