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High-stakes testing can be stressful for both students and teachers. A single test can significantly impact report cards and other learning metrics. But with the right strategies, you can help your students gain confidence and be prepared. Learn how to make math test prep effective by leveraging the expertise and experience of Cassi Noack from Minds in Bloom!
Introducing Our Expert: Cassi Noack
Cassi is an expert in math instruction and test prep. She has extensive experience in upper elementary education with a specific focus on fourth-grade math. She has taught in both public and private schools. Cassi eventually transitioned into an instructional specialist role. This role involved supporting teachers and students with curriculum and test preparation.
Cassi currently works as a full-time resource creator at Minds in Bloom. Her role involves helping teachers make math instruction engaging and effective. You can watch the entire conversation on Youtube!
Stay ahead of the Test: Effective Math Test Prep Strategies for Upper Elementary
Cassi is brilliant in ensuring math test prep yields results without overwhelming students and teachers. Having a conversation with her and learning how to navigate this essential aspect of education was eye-opening. Have a look at some important insights from our discussion below!
What do you think are some challenges teachers face when preparing students for standardized math tests?
The biggest challenge is time. What usually happens is teachers are still covering new content just a few weeks before the test. This is problematic because math instruction is cumulative. Concepts like fractions, decimals, and problem-solving require continuous reinforcement.
Another major hurdle is a lack of math test prep resources. Many teachers find themselves scrambling to locate quality materials that mirror the test format and rigor. This makes it really hard to provide targeted review to the students.
Additionally, the structure of math tests differs significantly from ELA tests. Math tests are different from reading assessments, which build upon a core set of skills throughout the year. Unlike reading assessments, math tests require students to recall and apply a wide range of discrete concepts that may not be taught until a particular year. This makes math test prep particularly challenging because students must revisit topics they may not have practiced for months.
For example, prime and composite numbers are a math standard that comes into play in the TEKS Texas standards for 5th grade math. It might be taught within a unit (perhaps the beginning or middle of the year), but needs to be reviewed again before the standardized test. Theme is a concept that is discussed heavily in the ELA TEKS standards beginning in Kindergarten, but builds depth and complexity as students progress through the grade levels and can be referred back to throughout the year with different genres.
What have you found to be the most important step in preparing students for a standardized math test?
The most important step is for teachers to thoroughly understand the test themselves. The teacher needs to analyze the test, break it down by standards, and identify the most heavily weighted topics. In Texas, for instance, readiness standards make up about 66% of the test. That means mastering those concepts can significantly impact student performance.
Another key strategy is balancing two critical math skills:
- Automaticity is the ability to solve problems quickly.
- Critical thinking is the ability to analyze complex problems and reasoning through multi-step solutions.
In addition to having fluency with core math skills, they must also practice test-taking strategies. For example, eliminating incorrect answers and deciphering tricky wording in word problems.
How can teachers keep students engaged and motivated during math test prep?
Test prep can quickly become repetitive and dull! That’s why differentiation is SO important. One of the most effective ways to keep students engaged is by tailoring their practice to their individual needs. Cassi recommends using diagnostic assessments to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses. After successfully identifying strengths and weaknesses, place the students in groups based on those results. I break down how I implemented Power Hour with my students and team members for ELA and math.
To make review engaging, consider incorporating the following:
- Games & Activities: Include fun and interactive activities such as task card challenges, partner games, and scavenger hunts.
- Small Group Instruction: Divide the students and conquer their challenges by having teachers or interventionists lead targeted review sessions.
- Student Choice: Allow students to choose their review activities from a list. This will help them feel more in control of their learning.
Making math test prep more interactive will ensure students stay engaged during sessions. They will retain information more effectively as a result.
What are some practical, easy-to-implement test prep strategies teachers can start using right away?
Using task cards is one of Cassi’s favorite strategies (and mine too)! She suggests creating a bank of task cards that align with the tested standards. These cards can be used for:
- Whole Group Practice: Display task cards on a projector and work through them as a class.
- Small Group Practice: Assign students personalized sets of task cards based on their specific needs.
- Independent Review: Allow the students to complete the task cards at their own pace as part of a station rotation.
- Make it Fun: Cut the task cards out and put it into plastic eggs! Students take turns selecting from a bin or basket and work on the problem on the task card (great for whole group or small group)!
Teachers should use released test questions (such as the STAAR released questions on the Texas Education Agency website) to help students become familiar with the format and rigor of standardized assessments for math test prep. Regular practice with real test questions will allow students to be more comfortable with the tests. As such, they will be less intimidated on test day.
How can teachers help students who lack confidence or struggle with math test anxiety?
A lot of students enter math tests feeling anxious. This can be due to two reasons:
- They’ve struggled with math in the past (this was yours truly from 5th grade until 8th grade).
- They don’t see themselves as “math people.”
Building their confidence is essential to overcome these mindsets. The best way to achieve that is by building confidence through success. This involves starting with problems students can master. Once they have successfully mastered the easier problems, gradually increase their difficulty. Trust me on this – it can be done!
Another beneficial strategy is teaching students how to analyze test questions effectively. A lot of wrong answers on standardized tests are designed to trick students based on common misconceptions. Teachers can empower students by making them practice the elimination method to eliminate wrong answers. Students must also be made to explain their reasoning when solving questions.
To put it simply, teachers must train students to approach the test with a problem-solving mindset and not a fearful or defeated mindset.
Do you have any must-have resources that make a big difference in getting students ready for the test?
The most comprehensive program for math test prep Cassi recommends is Minds in Bloom Unlimited. This is a membership program that gives teachers access to thousands of math resources. These include:
- Task Cards for reviewing specific skills.
- Practice Tests modeled after state assessments.
- Math Games & Center Activities to make test prep fun and interactive.
- Manipulatives & Visual Aids to help conceptual understanding.
This powerful resource library enables teachers to easily differentiate instruction and provide meaningful review. It also saves you hundreds of hours that would have been spent searching for materials.
Need additional math test prep support? Visit the Minds in Bloom website, which has thousands of ready-made math test prep resources! You can also check out Cassi’s Instagram for great math test prep strategies and tools.
Math test prep can be done differently and without students feeling overwhelmed! However, this requires teachers to understand the test, focus on key metrics, conduct engaging reviews, and use strategic resources. By focusing on these aspects, teachers can help students to be adequately prepared and confident on test day.
What are your favorite Math test prep strategies? Share them in the comments below!
kirsten hammond
Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.
