This is my fourth year of at-home testing, and I’m here to share the lessons I’ve learned (the hard way—through trial and error) to help make testing go more smoothly for you! If I can offer one piece of advice, it’s that preparation is key. I think we’ve all experienced running around trying to find shoes, socks, jackets, etc., for an outing because we didn’t set them aside early or the night before. One person doesn’t have clean pants, another’s jacket is soaked from yesterday, someone else can’t find their left shoe, and somehow, someone has peanut butter in their hair. It’s chaos. This chaos breeds stress, and suddenly, everyone is having a bad day!

Testing is no different. The better prepared you are, the more smoothly everything will go.

Tip #1: Get everyone in the loop
The Friday before testing week, make sure your students know what to expect. I like to post a schedule that shows which test they will be taking each day and what time it starts. For extra motivation, I add small rewards after each day—stickers, bonus screen time, or a small piece of candy. I also make sure they know we won’t be doing any other schoolwork that week (which they love!), and that we will do something extra-special on Friday when they finish (maybe a movie and popcorn night, an ice-cream sundae, a trip to the park, video games, etc.).

Tip #2: Chargers grow legs. Put them somewhere safe and keep them there.
The weekend before testing, make sure all the devices your students need (Chromebooks, headphones, a mouse, etc.) are charged and ready to go. Set up a designated charging station and have them bring the devices there at the end of the testing day to plug in and recharge.

Tip #3: Pencils also grow legs.
Grab a grocery bag, small bin, or tote bag and fill it with pencils, erasers, scratch paper (my kids like to use a whiteboard and markers), etc. Set one aside for each student. Include some crumb-free healthy snacks, tissues (they always need tissues once they sit down!), and water. Make sure they put everything back and do refills after each day of testing.

Tip #4: Know where they’ll all go.
Finding space for multiple students will put your Tetris skills to use (finally!). Whether you have one or multiple students, make a plan beforehand for where each student will be (both those testing and those not). Your testing students should be in a quiet area where they have their own space and won’t be distracted or interrupted by others. Trust me—trying to scramble to find three different quiet spots while also moving a kindergartner around the house is not a fun time.

Tip #5: Start early—Give yourself and your students 15-20 minutes before the test starts to gather everything and get settled.
The less rushing, the better. It’s much easier to deal with Lily’s headphones not connecting or all of James’ pencils being broken when you have a time cushion. Last year, my son’s keyboard switched to a foreign language THE DAY OF the test. No joke. Luckily, our Tech Team is amazing and got it fixed quickly (although no one could figure out what it switched to or how!), but that cushion helped keep everyone’s stress levels down.

Tip #6: Stretching and lounge wear are encouraged
Testing with a favorite stuffed animal? Sure! PJs for the day? Sounds great. A warm blanket to wrap up in? Why not? I want my students to be as comfortable as possible when taking the test. I make sure they know they can take a short break (5-15 minutes) if they need to stretch, go to the bathroom, get some water, or just take a little walk. The test can be paused for up to 20 minutes at a time without affecting their answers or progress.

By planning ahead, setting clear expectations, and creating a stress-free environment, you’ll help your students perform their best. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in making the process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved!