<p>I would truly appreciate some feedback from all you CC parents out there who can give some constructive advice on how to deal with the mounting stress associated with standardized testing. My S is scheduled to take the SAT and AP European history exams in early May. For some unfathomable reason, the two exams are scheduled on two consecutive days. Not surprisingly, I am starting to detect signs of stress. </p>
<p>I am beginning to sound like a broken record and am afraid that to his ears my sage, motherly advice is coming across as nagging rather than support. I realize that learning to cope with pressure is part of the game but I do think that this whole process should be a positive learning experience rather than a bed of nails. For those of you who have either been there or are going through it, any ideas? </p>
<p>I should add, that the atmosphere in our house at the present time isn’t helping matters – a sudden illness in a close member of our family is weighing heavily on all of us.</p>
<p>This topic came up a week or so ago. some liked the closeness because some are taking the AP and same subject SAT IIs at the same time (study once, test twice) However, some like me, whose kid is taking AP Euro on Friday and the SAT that Saturday don’t like the extra stress and would like that Saturday to be available to study for the remaining AP tests that Monday, etc.</p>
<p>I assume that the S is question is a HS Junior. If so, and the prospect of the APs and SATs so close to each other is causing too much stress, he can always take the June SAT to give him some breathing room. Not sure what the registration deadlines are or if you would get any of the fees back, but it might be worth the extra cost.</p>
<p>My S is taking the APUSH test on Friday and the SAT on Sat., but is not one to get too stressed out re testing. Just a personality issue.
Was thinking of offering to let him take the rest of the day Friday off from school, but he has to work Friday afternoon anyway.</p>
<p>Massmom-My S is doing the same double and our school does allow the kids the rest of the day off on days they take AP tests. I think mine may need it as stamina is not his strong suit! Luckily, he also is not the type to get too stressed.</p>
<p>My daughter is completely stressed out. In addition to everything else, she is in NY and has four Regents exams this June. She is a bright and achieving girl, but stress goes right to her stomach. When she took the ACT last week, she vomited all night and went to the test with a barf bag. Our neighbor saw her when she was leaving and asked what she hoped to score. My sweet and gentle daughter’s response was “my goal is to not puke on my answer sheet.” </p>
<p>Hopefully once July 1 rolls around this will all be a bad memory.</p>
<p>We also timed it that my d took her SAT II’s at the same time as the AP tests- thinking the same as jlauer “study once, test twice”. She took the SAT test in June. If you think it might be less stressful that way ( and I think it is), you may be able to switch test dates around with SAT/collegeboard. They’ll probably charge for the switch in test dates (they charge for everything) but it might be the way to go. It’s still a stressful time, but to take the SAT I and study for the AP at the same time, does lead to a lot more anxious nights. Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>Yes, there is a charge for switching dates (switched the dates for my son from April to May). What they actually do is charge you the full amount for the new date + $20, then give you a refund for the prior date. So they charged me $61.50 for the new date and simultaneously processed a $41.50 credit back to my credit card. Of course, just charging a $20 change fee and switching the dates in their system would have been easier, but I’m not sure college board ever does things the easy way.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies - I will look for the earlier thread. My S only committed to the AP test last week so the stress issue didn’t surface until recently.</p>
<p>He is a sophomore so there is time (that is part of my broken record, aka nagging). Part of the problem is we live abroad and, unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of a multitude of testing dates per year – unless we really want to put ourselves out and travel quite a distance, spend the night, etc. to take the test at one of the other available official testing sites. From previous experience with my older S, now a freshman in college, if the SAT is left until the end of junior year it leaves precious little time to factor in possible re-take(s) and SAT IIs. </p>
<p>The other part of equation is that he is not enrolled in a formal AP course and, on top of that, he is the only student in the whole high school even taking an AP test. Obviously, he is the type to show stress - he overthinks everything and standardized tests are not going to be an exception. I suppose misery loves company and what he needs is some one to share his angst with - either that we will have to opt for the barf bag idea.</p>
<p>Free advice to lower kids stress: Don’t discuss the test with them after they have taken it, don’t ask “how did you do? what were the writing questions, etc.?” Let them initiate discussions about the exam on their own timetable.</p>
<p>We had this agreement with my youngest d. and it seemed to help her going in to know she wouldn’t be pressured by us soon afterwards. It is hard as a parent, but they need to know you love them regardless of the results- and this is one way to show it.</p>