We told my son it was a game, but he was only 5. If she doesn't know what it's for, it would be best not to tell her. If she knows she needs a certain score it could make her nervous. Just tell her it's important she try her best. I think we told my son to try to see what "challenge level" he could get to. Also planning something like going for frozen yogurt after "the game" was also good for us. He took the scat this year at age 6 and I think that went less well because he knew it was to qualify for something.