Improving Test Taking Skills

Many students do well during the school year but seem to under-achieve on the high stakes tests, when it really counts. There are many sources of this gap in achievement, some can be taught, but some relate to the un

underlying learning skills.

How Gemm Helps Test Scores

Our program draws from a library of fifty different reading, language and reasoning exercises covering the skills listed below and others, to develop an individualized protocol for each child. Even the slightest of weakness in any of skills listed below is an opportunity to improve test scores.

We can boost the following skills that directly influence test scores:

Processing speed. Clearly the faster a student can work through the material the more time there is to think.

Language and vocabulary. Gemm works on vocabulary and language processing. Our program builds metalinguistics -- comfort with language -- which is a key aspect of all tests.

Reading accuracy and speed. Being able to read questions accurately and with the right meaning without having to re-read is another over-looked weakness in many students. Constant re-reading of complicated text is a time killer, and of course inaccurate or incomplete reading comprehension is a point destroyer.

Reading comprehension with metacognition, critical or inferential reading. Being able to read comfortably enough to think critically while reading -- called metacognition -- and to draw the correct inferences from text is a major part of test taking, if only to help the student decide which questions to focus on.

Impulsiveness. Careless errors are the cause of many a test let-down. Reading each answer to a multiple choice question before picking an answer, carefully reading instructions and questions, are all skills that can be improved.

Attention stamina. Most exams, and all high stakes tests such as SAT, ACT and ISEE, are tests of stamina. Being able to stay engaged for long periods is critical.

By working on and boosting these underlying cognitive abilities Gemm is able to improve grades.