State testing week (or month) can feel like a marathon for both teachers and students, but with a thoughtful approach, it can also become an opportunity to instill confidence and reinforce a positive learning mindset. As you gear up for this daunting time of year, here are some survival tips that keep my classroom calm before, during, and after state testing.
My favorite principal of all time transformed our entire school each spring by building off a state-testing theme. #testingtheme Our first year, the teachers dressed as the Incredibles and we praised students for using their incredible testing strategies. We made countdown chains to show how many days until our next test and wore matching t-shirts. My principal collected treat donations from local businesses so students had something to look forward to during breaks from testing. She also built obstacle courses in the gym and on the playgrounds. We helped students warm up their bodies and minds each morning before testing and ran through the obstacles during the day to work out wiggles. She inspired me to make the weeks of school surrounding testing fun and positive. You can do the same for your students with these tips!
Before Testing: Build Confidence and Set Goals
Preparation is key to success during testing week. Start by helping students set clear, achievable goals. This not only gives them a sense of direction but also reinforces a growth mindset.
Goal-Setting Activities: Use simple worksheets to guide students in identifying their testing goals. These could be related to focus, time management, or reaching for a specific score. #goalsetting
A "Testing Sidekick" is a creative way to draw upon students' imagination. In this activity, they design a personal testing mascot. They will love drawing a fun-loving monster friend that can encourage them to use strategies, stay calm, and work with confidence. Testing sidekicks can also teach breathing or positive self-talk. Invite students to share about their sidekicks and their superpowers in small groups.
Teach Test-Taking Strategies: Use a PowerPoint presentation or whiteboard to walk students through practical strategies they can use before, during, and after the test. (See a ready-to-go slideshow here).
Before the test: Encourage students to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and review their skills.
During the test: Teach students how to pace themselves, eliminate obviously incorrect answers, and check their work.
After the test: Reinforce the idea that their best effort is something to celebrate, no matter the outcome. #testtakingstrategies
Color a Good Luck Banner: I enjoy helping my students celebrate other grade levels during their testing days. We colored a banner and surprised the third-grade students when they walked into school for their math test day. My students loved turning their anxious energy into an act of kindness for their younger peers. There's nothing quite like a little service to make you feel better.
During Testing: Stay Calm and Focused
Once testing begins, maintaining a calm and positive environment is crucial. Both you and your students will benefit from strategies that reduce stress and encourage focus.
Creating a Testing Routine: Set a predictable routine for testing days. Start with a quick morning check-in where students can share how they’re feeling. Use this time to remind them of key strategies or simply offer encouragement. Arrive to school early so you are ready to go when the students walk through your door. Be available to them as they will likely feel more anxious than on a typical day. Smile and keep a positive attitude - even if the demands of state testing from the teachers' perspective gets you down.
Encourage Movement and Breaks: I love taking my students outside before our first test of the day. We make a plan together and do not treat this as extra recess. Instead, we talk about which movement activities will help us wake up our minds and bodies. Usually, my classes plan to run around the playground a certain number of times and to do some stretching.
It is also helpful to schedule short breaks between testing sessions to allow students to stretch, move, and reset their minds. A quick round of “brain breaks” or light exercises can work wonders in relieving test-day jitters. #brainbreaks
After Testing: Celebrate Effort and Reflect
Once the tests are over, celebrate the hard work your students have put in. Use this time to reinforce a sense of accomplishment and create a smooth transition back to regular learning.
Classroom Celebrations: Host a small celebration to recognize your students' efforts. Present them with personalized certificates that highlight their unique contributions, such as “Best Time Manager” or “Most Focused Tester.” Editable certificates make it easy to tailor awards to each student, ensuring they feel appreciated. #editablecertificates
Reflection Activities: Encourage students to reflect on their testing experience. Provide prompts that guide them through questions like:
What strategies worked well for you?
What would you like to try differently next time?
Reflection helps students process their experiences and prepare for future challenges with a positive mindset. #testreflection
Keep Early Finishers Engaged
Throughout testing season, managing early finishers is my most difficult task. Some students simply work much quicker than their peers. These students often sit idle, and it can be tricky to keep them occupied without disrupting their peers who are still testing. By planning ahead, you can provide meaningful, quiet activities that keep early finishers engaged while maintaining a calm and focused testing environment.
Offer Quiet and Independent Activities
Provide students with a variety of low-prep activities they can complete independently at their desks. These activities should be engaging but not require additional instruction. Here are a few ideas:
Coloring Pages: Choose pages with positive or motivational themes. For example, mindset-focused designs can reinforce the importance of effort and perseverance.
Puzzles and Brain Teasers: Sudoku, word searches, and mazes are perfect for keeping students’ minds active without causing distractions.
Testing Strategy Reminders: Offer reflection worksheets that prompt students to think about what strategies worked well during the test. This keeps them thinking constructively about their experience.
Incorporate Fun and Educational Options
Early finishers don’t have to miss out on the opportunity to keep learning:
Memory Games: Provide laminated cards featuring key concepts or test strategies. Students can play solo or quietly with a partner to reinforce skills.
Silent Reading: Encourage students to bring a book they enjoy or provide a small selection of engaging books for them to choose from.
Quick Crafts: Simple, quiet crafts—such as decorating bookmarks—can offer a relaxing way to wind down.
Create a Testing Tool Kit
Prepare a “Testing Tool Kit” for each student before testing week. This could include:
A folder or envelope filled with puzzles, coloring sheets, and reflection worksheets.
A sharpened pencil and set of crayons or colored pencils.
A small motivational note or sticker to encourage a positive mindset.
Benefits of Engaging Early Finishers
By offering quiet, meaningful activities, you help students avoid boredom and maintain a calm testing environment. These activities also:
Reduce Anxiety: Fun, low-stakes tasks help early finishers relax after completing their test.
Promote Positive Mindsets: Activities like reflection sheets and motivational coloring pages reinforce the idea that effort matters more than perfection.
Encourage Independence: Independent activities empower students to take ownership of their time and choices.
With the right tools and activities, early finishers can stay engaged and productive, contributing to a smooth and successful testing day for everyone.
Self-Care During Testing Week
Testing week can be as exhausting for teachers as it is for students. Here are some tips to help you manage the demands of this busy time:
Plan Ahead: Have all testing materials, early finisher activities, and review games prepared in advance. This will help you stay organized and focused during the week.
Create a Calm Atmosphere: Your mood sets the tone for the classroom. Use calming music, dim lighting, or positive affirmations to create a stress-free environment.
Celebrate Yourself, Too: Once testing week is over, take time to acknowledge your hard work. Whether it’s a special treat or a quiet evening at home, make sure to recharge.
A Resource Ready for You
After a state test, early finisher activities will save your sanity! Your 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students will love these test motivation coloring pages and the "Good Luck" banner. After finishing their test, they can complete the sudoku puzzle, maze, and word games quietly at their desks. This resource is ideal for elementary teachers who need quick printables for early finishers during testing.
Use the included Test-Taking Tips in so many ways!
✅ Edit & Present Test-Taking Tips on PowerPoint
✅ Prepare Students for Testing by Listing Their Own Strategies
✅ Complete Reflection Pages After Testing with Students
✅ Edit Testing Date Notes to Share with Families
Celebrate Student Success with Editable Certificates
Host a class celebration at the end of state testing and present these editable student awards. Type students' names onto 30 unique award certificates and print two per page. Choose colored paper for extra fun! The included blank certificate allows you to add your own text within the PowerPoint file. After finishing their tests, students will love being recognized for hard work and effort.
Hear about these Test-Taking Strategies and Activities from educators like you!
⭐️ “This is exactly what I was looking for! I used it to help my students get in the right mindset for testing.”
⭐️ “The slides were easy to present. I loved being able to edit the wording to align with our classroom goals.”
⭐️ “My students enjoyed playing the memory game. It was an easy way to incorporate test prep strategies while helping students stay calm and have fun.”
⭐️ “I printed all of these activities and invited students to choose one to complete quietly at their desks when they finished testing.”
⭐️ “I loved sharing the student awards during our class celebration when we finished state testing.”
⭐️ “It’s great being able to print worksheets for my multilingual learners in Spanish. This resource saved me so much time.”
⭐️ “It was so fun to play something different from Jeopardy! I copied the same test-prep packets I always use, but adding these game elements on top made it more exciting than just working through a stack of worksheets in the month of April."