Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Rushing through tests/getting wrong answers

We just finished a chat this morning with our DD's teacher about one of the periodical assessments done in our state for grade schoolers. This is the one they use for determining SSA. Our DD did not do as well as expected and this may hurt her chances of acceleration (despite all the other WISC, Cogat, etc that she does really well). The teacher believes that DD just races through without reading the whole question for each problem. The principal guessed that as well.
So - how do you deal with this? She is shooting herself in the foot. She asks for more challenging work. Complains about easy work, and is getting more frustrated with school. She's in 3rd grade BTW.

I would go over test-like questions with her and explain the nuances she may be missing by rushing.

I would also remind those in charge that the other tests show what she's capable of, and that she's still learning the necessary skills to successfully take a test.

DD8 is a bit impatient with answering questions, too, but I see it primarily with homework worksheets. She has a "rush and get through it" approach that makes me crazy! I find sloppy, silly mistakes way too often!

With DD (and this could be your DD, too), she wants to get it done quickly so she can go do something else. She does not seem plagued by perfectionism. I am not sure that she finds grades particularly motivating either, although I do think she likes to do well overall. DD learns things because she finds them interesting...and well, some things apparently seem less interesting to her (like worksheets).

Could your DD try to think of the assessments like she does the other testing that she does well on? I am surprised that the school would completely ignore the standardized testing (since schools these days seem to love tests so much ).

Although my DD does not like worksheets, she does very well on testing.

I agree with KADmom - test taking skills are still developing and if your DD has strong measures of performance, she should not be underchallenged because of a single measure.

We've been working on the same thing with DD9 for the last couple years, and it's been improving in increments. I had the same problem at that stage of life.

Why would a child consistently read directions thoroughly if the work is shockingly below level and uninteresting 99% of the time? Working quickly to "get it over with" is a normal and healthy response.

Is there any chance you can get a sample copy of the tests? We're able to get samples for our state's tests - the kids actually practice with them in school. Giving a sample test at home was really helpful for me to figure out what was going on with my kids who seemed to be scoring below their ability, plus it helped my dd who was rushing through questions see for herself the difference it made in her score.

polarbear

Like that!! It's kind of what I am doing right now. Ignoring my boring research paper in order to do something much more interesting like reading about other's gifted kids!!

Hi Polar Bear,
I am headed over to the email and asking the teacher for the test or a sample test!! Why is so obvious when others point this advice out?? Lucky for us, the teacher is a sweetie. I am counting on her being able to help!!