Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As the end of the school year approaches, students in Decatur County Schools face their final challenge—end-of-year testing. This period often brings anxiety and stress as students worry about their final grades and how their results might affect their excitement for summer break.

To help ease the pressure, Decatur County administrators and teachers have stepped in with valuable test-taking strategies and preparation tips designed to boost students’ confidence. Dena Godwin of Bainbridge Middle School (BMS) has shared guidance on studying techniques, time management, and test-day strategies to support student success.

One key strategy emphasized throughout the year is ongoing review and reinforcement. Teachers encourage students to revisit previously covered standards consistently, ensuring long-term retention. Organized student binders help maintain access to important notes, making studying more efficient.

In addition to review practices, test-taking strategies play a vital role in exam success. Students are advised to avoid dwelling on difficult questions and instead skip and return to them later, reducing frustration and improving overall performance. The process of elimination helps narrow down multiple-choice options, increasing the likelihood of selecting the correct answer. Teachers also stress the importance of reading the whole question carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

Georgia’s online resources serve as valuable tools to aid students in their preparation. Websites like GaORg provide review materials, while Google Classroom practice problems allow students to self-check their understanding independently.

Effective time management during exams is another focus area. Teachers incorporate timers in study sessions to help students develop a sense of pacing, ensuring they allocate appropriate time to each question. By practicing time awareness before test day, students can avoid rushing and minimize errors due to hurried responses.

Balancing memorization with conceptual understanding is key to success. Interactive recall techniques, such as explaining reasoning to peers, reinforce critical thinking. Pairing students based on comprehension levels enables collaborative learning, helping them develop stronger study habits.

Avoiding common test-day mistakes is also crucial. Students are encouraged to pace themselves rather than rush through the exam, use the process of elimination effectively, and ensure they read each question fully.

While effective preparation plays a significant role in testing success, so does quality instruction throughout the school year. Jenna Smith, another educator at BMS, employs structured, engaging, and student-focused teaching methods that blend repetition, interactive learning, and strategic review.

For reading comprehension, students practice cold reads and repeated readings, which deepen their understanding of texts. Students gain a firmer grasp of the content by discussing details they may have missed in the first read. Applying reading standards—such as figurative language and characterization—to real texts ensures understanding beyond memorization.

Teaching writing skills requires students to master different essay types. Narrative writing focuses on storytelling elements such as character development and plot. Argumentative essays encourage students to explore real-world debates like the pros and cons of cellphone use in classrooms. Informational writing, often perceived as “boring,” becomes engaging when students analyze topics relevant to their lives, such as the impact of social media.

To reinforce language standards, Smith incorporates sentence correction exercises where students identify mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Interactive tools like Kahoot and Blooket introduce friendly competition, keeping lessons engaging and memorable.

As standardized testing approaches, Chip Davis, a Decatur County administrator, provides additional insights into test preparation strategies. Teachers rely on Georgia Test Blueprints to determine the most heavily weighted exam topics, ensuring a well-structured review.

Conceptual understanding precedes rote memorization, with students encouraged to actively explain their learning rather than simply recall facts. Preparing for exams also involves daily spiral reviews, where students revisit old quizzes and test questions to reinforce their knowledge.

Students are advised to use Experience Georgia Online, a standardized test practice platform provided by the Georgia Department of Education. The system familiarizes them with the test format and tools, including built-in calculators and highlighters.

Strategic time management during testing is reinforced by posting start and stop times in classrooms, allowing students to track their pacing. If they encounter a difficult question, they are encouraged to flag it and return to it later, reducing test anxiety.

Lastly, teachers stress the importance of consistent study habits rather than last-minute cramming. Students who engage in regular reviews and utilize available study materials are better equipped to handle the demands of test day.

Decatur County Schools remain committed to ensuring students feel prepared and confident heading into their exams. With strong instructional methods, strategic studying techniques, and the support of dedicated educators, students can approach testing with a clear plan for success and a smooth transition into summer break.