It’s standardized testing season! Yearly testing is a necessary part of the education system, and as the proctor of the test, you want to be confident that you have everything pulled together when it’s test time. Here are 5 things you can do to get prepared.

1. Choose Your Standardized Test

You can order all your standardized tests through Abeka. You have two options for online standardized testing, either the Iowa Tests or Stanford 10 tests. Both tests are recognized nationally and equally effective. Compare these tests and learn more here. If you have any issues with accessing your standardized tests after placing your order, please contact us as soon as possible. Our customer service team will be happy to help.

Once you’ve chosen your test, check to make sure your computer is compatible with the testing software. You’ll need to download a special browser and allow your child access to a phone throughout the whole test for proctoring.

2. Set Up a Quiet Area for Testing

Set up a quiet, distraction-free zone for children to take the test on a computer. As the parent, you should stay nearby to monitor, while leaving enough space for the child to hear the proctor and concentrate on the test. Test content, whether actual or similar, should not be used for discussion, demonstration, review, practice, or any other reason. Taking extra precautions to keep test materials secure will protect both you and your children from accidentally sharing confidential information.

3. Review Emails from Abeka for More Guidance

You should receive emails from customer service when you order tests. Read these emails about schedule and things to do before testing starts. The better you understand the directions, the more clearly you will be able to explain them to your kids. And if you need help preparing for administrating the test, check out our FAQs.

4. Add Some Fun to Testing Week

Your kids probably don’t enjoy standardized testing any more than you do. So, why not give them a little something to look forward to? Before the test begins, give your kids a word of encouragement. And at the end of the test, hand out a “you’re a smart cookie” cookie to each child as he completes the tests.

5. Pray

You know which of your kids worries over tests. Take some time to lift them up in prayer. Pray that God will give you and your children alertness, patience, and wisdom, and ask that each child have a clear mind during their testing.

Once you’ve done everything on this list to prepare, the only thing left to do is give the test. The most important thing for your children to know on the day of the big day is that these tests are an opportunity to show off what they’ve learned. They already have the knowledge in their brains—this is just a way for them to prove it. You can order all your standardized tests through Abeka. Learn more here.