If you’re anything like me (or like I used to be at least), the words “state testing” might bring up some dread. It certainly does for the students! Students who are new to taking state testing (third graders) often feel anxious because they’ve never done this before, while my 6th graders have often felt anxious because they’ve done it many times and they know what’s coming (spoiler alert: it isn’t fun for them).

I used to hate everything about state testing. It drives me crazy that we are constantly told to differentiate for every single student, provide the supports to meet their learning needs, and teach them how to use their resources, but then all of that is taken away and every single student of every ability is given the same test with no support. I could write whole novel on my feelings towards state testing, but that won’t change the fact that I’m required to give it.

So instead, I started finding ways to focus on the things I can control (like I always tell my students). And I actually found some ways to make state testing fun (a little bit) and to help my students (and myself) feel more successful, more confident, and less anxious about testing.

So here are my best tips and tricks:

State Testing Craftivity & Lesson

Have a discussion with the students around our feelings toward the upcoming test, as well as strategies we can use before & during the test (I use the presentation from this resource for this discussion)

After our discussion, students choose which strategies they will focus on for testing. They then choose a shooting star or basketball to create a craft & display their strategies.

I love this activity because it helps address the fears and anxieties, I can see which students might need a little extra love & support leading up to testing, and once the students brainstorm strategies they usually feel less anxious & more confident! Bonus, I love giving the students a coloring/craft activity, especially amongst test prep season where they’re doing a lot of work. This helps break up the day with a calming coloring activity.

If you're interested in trying this with your class, you can find the resource here!

Go through the practice test/state testing website

This tip isn’t as “cutesy”, but I find it to be one of the most important things to do before testing. As I’m doing test prep with the students, I make sure we spend time familiarizing ourselves with the testing platform and the website the students will be taking the test on. In Arizona, at least, the state testing website offers math & reading sample tests. I usually go over these whole group with my class, so we can discuss the features & tools of the website as well as strategies to answer the questions. This has helped eliminate so many “how do I use this feature?” or “where do I click?” type questions on the day of the test. It also helps the students get a very clear idea of what to expect, which can also help alleviate stress and anxiety.

Test prep/review idea 1- Defend your corner

One of my favorite practical ways to do test prep is with “defend your corner”. I typically do this in ELA, but it can be done in any subject with multiple choice questions. As a class, we will read an article (or sample test passage) together. Then, I split the students into 4 groups. Each group is assigned a corner of the room, and each corner is assigned a multiple choice letter A, B, C, or D. The students then head to their corner and discuss why their assigned answer is or is not correct. They can only talk about their own letter. (ie they can’t say “B is wrong because “C” is correct - they have to explain why “B” is wrong). This is a great way to get students to think critically and analyze why they are or are not choosing a multiple choice answer.

Types of Math Mistakes & Corrections

Similar to the “defend your corner” activity, I find value in teaching my students about math mistakes and corrections. I use this resource throughout the entire year, but around testing season is a great time to introduce it as well.
The resource (that can be purchased here) has posters, as well as an individual reference sheet for the student, explaining the 3 types of math mistakes and how to correct them. Essentially, when students make mistakes in math, it is either a “silly mistake” (they didn’t read directions clearly, rushed, etc), a “math mistake” (error in their addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division), or a “process mistake” (incorrectly demonstrated the actual concept ie forgot a formula, missed a step, etc). So often we give students a test, give them their results, then never ask them to reflect on their mistakes. Once I started implementing math mistakes and test corrections in my class, I saw a huge shift. I gave my students the opportunity to earn points back on a test by reflecting on why they got it wrong and how they would correctly solve it instead. This resource allows students to think critically, reflect on mistakes, and realize common patterns they may be making in all their tests. I use it to really emphasize the importance of checking over our work and looking for mistakes as well. (Similarly, you can do error analysis problems as a whole class. I love using these for warm ups to get students thinking critically about a problem that has already been solved).

Preparation for the day of the test

One of my biggest tips is to have the biggest bin of sharpened pencils and scratch paper ready to go for testing day. I like to imagine that my students are going to eat 5 pencils each the day of (because during the normal school year I swear they must be eating them they way they disappear so quickly). Nothing ruins the peaceful and calm environment I like to create during the test more than the pencil sharpener going off, so I always make sure to be extra prepared in this department. I pass out 2 pencils to each student, and let them know they can get more from me and my giant reservoir if they need.

Another way I love to prepare for the test - if this is possible in your community - is with snack donations. I have worked at Title I schools as well as affluent schools, so I know the resources and donations look different for everyone. In the past few years, I have always been able to get donations from parents, but there are other ways you can obtain donations as well. Consider creating an Amazon wishlist and sharing it with your friends and family. You can also reach out to your local community and see if there are other ways to obtain donations (for example, I know my church would likely host a snack drive for a school in need if I reached out to them for this).

When I ask for snacks, I give a list of ideas - here’s the list I typically use (and also emphasize absolutely no nuts!)

• Cups (for passing them out - paper or plastic)
• Goldfish
• Cheezits
• Wheat Thins
• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Mints
• Hard candy (jolly ranchers usually)
• Fruit snacks
• Granola bars
• Cuties (oranges)

I also tell my students that their “in flight snack service” ends when they finish their test. Throughout testing, I come around and pass out snacks to those who are still testing!

Activities for when they finish testing

This might be a little bit controversial, but I do not allow my students to do anything when they finish their state testing. I hate that I even have to do this, but this is just another reason that state testing is not my favorite. However, I have some reasons behind this, and I will stand by them. First, many students will rush through testing to get to the fun activity if you offer that as a choice. My first few years teaching, I gave coloring pages, connect the dots, and other mindless activities for the students to do when they finish. While some students took their time, many just rushed through because connect the dots is more fun than a boring 32 question long test. The other reason I don’t offer choices is because I feel like it punishes the students who truly take their time and are thorough on the test. Many students even feel anxious when they see others finishing around them and doing another activity. Instead, the only choice is to sit there quietly or put their heads down. This doesn’t become a distraction to those still testing, this doesn’t incentivize finishing early, and it does promote just being to kids. So rarely these days do kids have the opportunity to just sit with their thoughts, instead they are constantly entertained and (over)stimulated. Kids in 2025 do not know how to be bored, and this gives them an opportunity to experience life without a constant device and stimulation. I’ve also seen an improvement in test scores since doing this.

So there you have it - my best tips & tricks for surviving and thriving during test season for both you & your students!

If you try any of these tips, I’d love to know! Message me or tag me on social media @learningwithlauren

Good luck & happy testing season!!

Xoxo, Lauren