Five Strategies Can Reduce Your Middle Schooler’s Test Anxiety
Does your child’s stomach do flip-flops the night before a huge test? Does yours? Take a deep breath. Although you can’t take the test for your child, there are lots of ways you can offer support.
When your middle schooler has an upcoming test:
1. Sit down and talk. Ask why your child is so nervous about the test. Is the material too hard? Does your child not understand it? Sometimes just sharing concerns can make a test seem less scary.
2. Encourage your child to find out what format the test will be. Essay? Multiple choice? True or false? Knowing the format will help your child prepare effectively.
3. Help your child make a study schedule. If the test is next week, your middle schooler should set aside study time on each of the days leading up to it. This reduces the need to cram the night before.
4. Create a comfy study spot. Help your child find a quiet well-lit place to study. When it’s time to hit the books, make sure your child has needed supplies—including water and a healthy snack.
5. Talk about your child’s strengths. “I know you’re worried about the big science test, but remember how well you did on the last one?” Focus on the positives.
Later, when your middle schooler receives the test grade, talk about it. Celebrate success and calmly go over anything that went wrong. Talk about what your child can do to improve next time.
Reprinted with permission from Parents Still make the difference!® newsletter. Copyright © 2025 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.