Testing Supports & Information
Your go-to page for testing coping skills, supports, & info!
Mrs. Kalaina Wilson
Mrs. Karmen Marcum
Mrs. Mellie Andres
ILearn Checkpoints Family Guidance: Grade 6
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ILearn Checkpoints Family Guidance: Grade 7
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ILearn Checkpoints Family Guidance: Grade 8
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In-person testing is coming up and it’s totally normal to have mixed feelings about it. Whether you’re feeling confident, nervous, or somewhere in between, this video is here to help you know what to expect.
You’ll get a quick look at what testing day will be like, plus some simple ways to handle nerves, stay focused, and take care of yourself while you’re there. No pressure to feel a certain way, just real tips to help you walk in a little more prepared.
Click the photo to play the video and give yourself a few minutes to get the inside scoop before test day! 👉
STRATEGY: Try This: “Preview Your Day” Plan
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Look up your testing location ahead of time (or ask an adult what it will be like).
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Pack what you need the night before (ID, pencils, charger, water, calculator if allowed).
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Plan your morning routine so you’re not rushing.
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Arrive early if possible, being late raises stress fast.
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Remind yourself: “New place, same brain.” You already know how to test.
Ever notice how your brain feels extra loud right before a test? 🥴 Sweaty hands, racing thoughts, second-guessing everything...it happens to a lot of students.
This video breaks down what’s actually going on in your brain when you’re nervous, and here’s the important part: nervous doesn’t mean unprepared. You’ll learn how your brain can still think, remember, and problem-solve even when anxiety shows up, plus a few simple ways to work with your nerves instead of against them. No pressure to feel calm. Just real talk about what’s happening upstairs and how to handle it on test day.
Click the photo to play the video and give yourself a few minutes to get the inside scoop before test day! 👉
STRATEGY: Try This: “Name It to Tame It”
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When nerves show up, pause and label them:
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“I’m feeling nervous.”
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“My heart is racing.”
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Take 3 slow breaths (in through nose, out through mouth).
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Tell yourself:
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“My brain can still think while I’m nervous.”
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Start with the easiest question first to build momentum.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought, “If I don’t do perfect, I failed.” 🙋♂️ Yeah…a lot of students feel that pressure, especially during big tests.
This video is all about letting go of the “perfect or nothing” mindset. You’ll hear why doing well doesn’t mean getting every question right, how mistakes are actually part of the process, and ways to keep perfection pressure from taking over your brain on test day. No unrealistic positivity, just a reminder that your effort, strategies, and persistence matter way more than perfection.
Click the photo to play the video and give yourself a few minutes to get the inside scoop before test day! 👉
STRATEGY: Try This: “2-Pass Strategy”
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Pass 1: Answer questions you know quickly.
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Skip and flag anything you’re unsure about (don’t get stuck).
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Pass 2: Go back to the harder ones.
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Use elimination (cross out wrong answers).
Don't leave any question unanswered, even if it's your best guess.
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Remember: Getting stuck ≠ failing. It’s part of testing.
When people talk about test prep, it’s usually all about studying… but your brain isn’t working alone on test day, your body’s part of the team too. 🧠🤝💪
This video looks at how things like sleep, food, movement, and breathing can actually affect focus, memory, and stress levels while you’re testing. If you’ve ever felt tired, jittery, or mentally “checked out” during a test, this will help you understand why and what you can do about it. No perfection, no pressure, just practical ways to show up feeling a little more steady and supported from the inside out.
Click the photo to play the video and give yourself a few minutes to get the inside scoop before test day! 👉
STRATEGY: Try This: “Test Day Body Checklist”
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Sleep: Aim for a full night (even if it’s not perfect).
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Eat: Have breakfast with protein + carbs.
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Hydrate: Drink water before testing.
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Move: Stretch or walk a little that morning.
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Breathe: Try box breathing before the test: In 4 sec → Hold 4 → Out 4 → Hold 4.
Big tests can start to feel way bigger than they actually are. It’s easy to slip into thoughts like, “This score says everything about me.”
This video is your reminder that a test is something you do, not who you are. It talks about how test results don’t define your intelligence, your future, or your worth as a person. You’ll also hear ways to keep testing in perspective so the pressure doesn’t take up more space than it deserves. No minimizing the stakes, just a healthier, more realistic way to look at them.
Click the photo to play the video and give yourself a few minutes to get the inside scoop before test day! 👉
STRATEGY: Try This: “Separate the Score” Reset
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Before testing, write or think:
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3 things you’re good at that aren’t tests.
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After the test, avoid score talk spirals.
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Say: “This score only measures this test on this day.”
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Do something you enjoy after testing (reward your effort).
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Talk to someone if you feel stuck on your results. Your school counselors are here for you!
