Teaching is a daunting task to some
extent. I hear people say the products teachers churn out represent their
personality (their professional and academic qualities), and that no student
can rise above her teacher. In as much as I disagree vehemently with this assertion,
I must be quick to add that there is an iota of truth in how people compare the
teacher’s capabilities to the standardized test scores of his students. For
example, a teacher who is deficient in the content area he teaches may find it
difficult to help students exhibit mastery over the content. Also, in some
schools, there are teachers whose backgrounds are in content areas such as
mathematics yet, for lack of space, they teach different areas such as English
and Arts. Whatever the case may be, the onus lies on the teacher to explore all
avenues to help her students show proof of achievement as far as standardized
tests are concerned. I am not sure anybody can downplay the hell teachers go
through to prepare individual students for standardized tests; preparing
students for standardized tests such as the West African Senior School
Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE),
and Aptitude tests for grades two and four pupils is demanding and energy-consuming.
It involves the teacher’s creativity, foresight, consistency, and self-awareness.
Notwithstanding, my personal experience, as someone who has been preparing
students for standardized tests over the past eight years, made me prepare a
checklist (I call it a checklist because, before the exams, I go through the
list to see if I fulfill all areas), which I use as a guide while preparing
students for the exams.
Here are some points to consider
when preparing students for standardized tests:
Understand the format and content
of the test: It is
important to have a thorough understanding of the test your students will be
taking. This includes knowing the types of questions, the format of the test,
and the content areas covered. As teachers, we must be proactive in studying
the format of standardized tests. This can be achieved by constantly reviewing
past test items, which would help teachers identify the trend of the test over a
given period. They would be able to identify if the format and content of the test
have changed or remain the same over the period.
Teach test-taking strategies: Standardized tests often require
specific test-taking strategies that students may not be familiar with. Teach
them strategies such as time management, the process of elimination, and
reading comprehension techniques. For example, every standardized test is
time-bound and students must be able to answer the questions within the allotted
time. This includes reading instructions, which I consider the most crucial
thing for students to do in the examination hall. We must teach students to
read and understand every question they would want to answer before jumping to
answering them. They should also be trained to eliminate some questions, using
the elimination method so that they are certain about the questions they want
to respond to. This would prevent students from going back and forth in the
examination room and help them manage their time.
Practice, practice, practice: Provide your students with enough opportunities
to practice with sample tests and questions. It will help them become more
familiar with the format and content of the test, and build their confidence.
This can be done by letting them write as many mock exams as possible. When soldiers
prepare for war, they practice all drills as well as how to move under
commands. In the same vein, we need to engage our candidates in constant practice,
putting the examination strategies into action. Here, constant feedback is key;
it helps learners to identify their strengths and weaknesses so that they can
be well-prepared for the examination.
Analyze results: Analyze past results and let
students know how performance has been over the years and how they can maintain
or improve performance. Also, use the results of practice/mock tests to
identify areas where your students may need more support. This can help you
focus your teaching efforts and tailor your instruction to better meet their
needs. For example, after marking mock examinations, analyze the results using
data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel to identify individual students’
preparedness.
Foster a positive mindset: It is an undeniable fact that
students who grow in a positive environment (an environment where teachers help
learners to develop self-efficacy) would most likely feel confident during
standardized examinations and vice-versa. Encourage your students to approach
the test with a positive attitude. Do not put fear in the students, rather, remind
them that their performance on the test is not a reflection of their worth as a
person, and that they have the skills and knowledge to do well.
Overall, preparing students for
standardized tests requires a combination of content knowledge, test-taking
strategies, practice, result analysis, and a positive mindset. By using these
tips, you can help your students feel more confident and prepared for their upcoming
tests.
If you have more tips to help us
prepare our students for standardized tests, please share them with us in the
comment section. We would be glad to learn from your experience.
By:
Bright Damankah
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