Reinforce Underlying Abilities

If your child doesn’t have the underlying math, reasoning, or reading abilities, they will need to work on these skills.

1. 1

   Find the source of the mistakes

   By working with your child closely, you will discover whether your child’s mistakes are test-taking issues or challenges with underlying abilities.

2. 2

   Work on the specific academic areas where they are weak

   Look at the results for each sub-test on TestingMom to isolate exactly which ability they are challenged with. Keep a running list of concepts your child struggles with.

3. 3

   Find engaging ways to teach and practice these underlying abilities

   • Use interactive activities from TestingMom’s Skill Building Academy and Learning Games (both included with your subscription).
   • Incorporate math concepts into daily life — for example, by counting or adding and subtracting at the supermarket.
   • Teach commonly tested concepts on the test your child will take, like giving them 3-step questions, doing analogy practice, or learning vocabulary by reading and talking to your child.
   • For conceptual visual questions like paper folding, build real-world concrete examples to practice with before your child tries to do it in their head.
   • If English is not your first language, as you approach test day try to speak and read English with your child as much as possible.
   • You can always write or call us at TestingMom, and we will give you more ideas on how to reinforce underlying abilities.
   • TestingMom tutors know all these tests inside out and are great resources to help your child learn these underlying skills.