Best Ways to Prepare for NYS Assessments
Success on the New York State (NYS) Assessments begins long before test day. The best preparation comes from developing strong reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking skills throughout the school year. By combining classroom learning with regular practice, students can approach the assessments with confidence and reduce test-day anxiety.
TestingMom offers hundreds of engaging practice questions, educational games, printable worksheets, and one-on-one tutoring designed to strengthen the same skills measured on the New York State ELA, Mathematics, and Science assessments.
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Tips for Parents
Parents play an important role in helping children prepare for standardized tests. Here are several strategies that can make a difference.
Read Every Question Carefully
Encourage your child to slow down and read the entire question before looking at the answer choices. Many incorrect answers result from missing an important word or misunderstanding what the question is asking.
Look for Key Words
Teach your child to pay attention to words such as:
- Best
- Most likely
- Except
- Not
- First
- Main idea
These words often determine which answer is correct.
Eliminate Wrong Answers First
If your child is unsure of the answer, encourage them to eliminate any choices they know are incorrect. Narrowing the options increases the chances of making a correct educated guess.
Don’t Leave Questions Blank
Students should answer every question. If they are unsure, making an educated guess is usually better than leaving a question unanswered.
Watch Out for Distractors
Many multiple-choice questions include distractors—answers that seem reasonable but don’t completely answer the question. Encourage your child to compare every answer choice carefully before selecting the best one.
Show Your Work in Math
For mathematics questions, students should solve problems step by step whenever possible. Writing down their work helps reduce careless mistakes and makes it easier to check answers.
Use Evidence in Reading
For ELA questions, remind your child to return to the passage and look for evidence before answering. The correct answer is almost always supported by information in the text.
Manage Time Wisely
Although New York State assessments are untimed, students should continue working steadily throughout each testing session. If they become stuck, it’s often helpful to move on to another question and return later if time allows.
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Get Ready Before Test Day
Healthy habits can improve performance. Encourage your child to:
- Get plenty of sleep the night before testing.
- Eat a healthy breakfast.
- Arrive at school on time.
- Bring a positive attitude and confidence.
Build Skills All Year Long
The most effective preparation is consistent learning throughout the school year. Reading daily, practicing math facts and problem solving, discussing new vocabulary, and completing short practice activities can all strengthen the skills measured on the assessments.
TestingMom’s interactive learning resources help students develop:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Writing skills
- Mathematics
- Critical thinking
- Logical reasoning
- Problem solving
- Test-taking strategies
Whether your child needs additional support or wants to challenge themselves, our practice materials make learning engaging while helping students build confidence for test day.
Start today with 100 Free Practice Questions and help your child prepare for success on the New York State Assessments.
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2 Responses
Hi – is there a specific online NYS ELA and Math prep option that is available via TestingMom membership? Thank you!