Tests and quizzes account for a significant portion of final grades, which can often make students nervous. In these situations, it’s not unusual for students to make errors every now and then. Slowing down, checking over their work, and getting help from a tutor can lead to improved scores and overall better grades. Here are the most common mistakes your child can avoid while taking tests.

5 Errors to Avoid Making During a Test

1. Misreading Directions

Directions are a critical and often overlooked part of tests. Ignoring, skimming, and not reading through the end of the instructions can make students misunderstand or incorrectly complete a problem. Students should take the time to carefully read each problem and think about what the question is asking them to do.

2. Transferring Errors

Sometimes students might know the right answer but mark it incorrectly on the test itself. For example, after working through a math problem on scrap paper, they might place a decimal point in the wrong place on the test itself. Selecting the wrong bubble on a multiple-choice question is also a common careless mistake. Double-checking responses can help students detect and correct any transferring errors.

3. Incorrectly Applying Concepts

Lacking an understanding of a concept or applying it incorrectly almost always leads to wrong answers. In most cases, students make these mistakes when they don’t have enough practice to comprehend the subject material and identify when they should be used.  If your child lacks the fundamentals, getting helping from professional tutors to build basic math skills will allow your child to gain confidence and a better understanding of the topic.

4. Overthinking a Question

While critical thinking is important for tests, overthinking can hurt scores. Students second-guessing themselves may change right answers into wrong answers. If your child has a habit of constantly doubting their answers, encourage them to use other strategies such as elimination on multiple choice answers. 

5. Mismanaging Time

Tests are always timed, meaning students will need to use their time wisely or risk rushing to finish. Your child should take a moment at the beginning of the test to assess how long they can spend on each question. If they have trouble with time management, getting professional help to learn organization and time management skills is a useful approach.

Does your child need a tutor to help improve their test-taking strategies or improve their math skills? The experienced instructors at Mathnasium of Smyrna in Georgia have the tools necessary to guide students at every grade level to academic success. Using the proven Mathnasium Method™, this learning center offers customized lesson plans for each student taught in a way they’ll understand. Read more about the results of their effective math help programs online. For more information on after-school tutoring, call (770) 436-4949.