The end-of-year testing marathon has arrived. From high-stakes AP and IB tests to time-intensive standardized assessments, an overload of subject-specific final exams and projects, and the culminating pressure of industrial certifications—students are forced to juggle competing demands on their time and energy. This season inevitably brings stress, worry, and general discontent for students. And with more and more colleges shifting from test-optional to test-required policies, there is a renewed emphasis on scores, sometimes leaving students with a paralyzing pressure to perform.

Surrounding this challenging dynamic, testing season often includes changes to schedules, added pressure for educators, and constant requests for additional coverage and student support. For students, educators, counselors—and really all who work within school buildings—testing overshadows nearly everything else in high schools at this point in the school year. 

Because these tests matter

to students, to educators, and to school communities—it is critical to support students and educators through this time. Counselors and educators can use the tips below to navigate this testing season with confidence and clarity.

• Convey calmness. Both stress and composure can be contagious, especially during testing. By maintaining a steady, calm presence, you can help to create a more focused environment for everyone. Stay mindful about reactions to schedule changes, student behaviors, and unexpected disruptions. By modeling calm—in both voice and body language—you can positively influence every interaction throughout the day with both students and colleagues.  
• Recognize student stress. Many students feel overwhelmed at this point in the school year, and that stress can manifest in a variety of ways—emotionally, behaviorally, physically, and cognitively. It is important to pay attention to students and look for signs of distress. Consider finding ways to normalize the stress and pressure that often accompany testing, while engaging students with empathy. 
• Stay flexible. While there is often little flexibility in testing schedules, consider ways to adjust the classroom learning environment to respond to these periods of high stress. Altering the pacing of a particular unit, inviting students to accomplish classroom tasks as a team, and offering regular breaks can allow educators to be responsive to student needs while keeping expectations high. 
• Offer grace. When students feel stressed, they are more prone to miss an assignment, overlook a detail, or respond with frustration. Teaching with compassion can mean creating opportunities for clarification, providing gentle reminders, offering second chances, and avoiding assumptions. These small moments of patience and care can help students to better manage the workload and remain engaged in learning.   
• Prepare students. Testing is a skill that can be developed. Just like learning how to ride a bike or bake a cake, there are certain steps that make studying easier and more productive. Beyond focusing on the content itself, take time to explicitly teach students how to prepare for tests—a skill that will reap benefits for years to come.

You might encourage students to:  

• Narrow the focus. Review study guides, past quizzes, or any other available tools or resources to determine key topics and make a plan for what to study. 
• Move beyond rereading. Create a study guide, write and answer questions, or draft diagrams that organize the content. Actively working with the material will make studying both more engaging and more effective.  
• Make it personal. Focus on identifying gaps in your own learning, and spend time with less familiar content. Creating your own study plan, rather than following classmates’ lead, can make for more productive study sessions. 
• Shorten study sessions. Active, more intense study sessions—30-45 minutes in length—are more effective than hours of less-engaged time. Consider planning several short sessions spread over a few days to avoid burnout. 
• ‍Sleep. Sleep is integral to learning. It supports new learning, aids recall, and contributes to emotional regulation. Especially during intensive testing periods, make a plan to get adequate sleep.    
• Be strategic. When multiple tests and projects are due during the same window of time, be thoughtful about priorities. Consider which assessments or projects have the largest impact on your grade or future plans, and use that to align your preparation and effort. ‍
• Expect to get stuck sometimes. Make a plan for what to do when you are unsure of an answer. You might skip a problem and return to it later, work to narrow the possible responses, or jot a few notes to guide your thinking. Planning for these moments ahead of time can help you to stay calm and focused during a test.‍
• Be mindful. When you begin to feel stressed or overwhelmed, consider moving your body or talking with a friend or mentor. A short walk, a few stretches, or a quick connection can help to boost energy, lift spirits, and rebuild momentum.  

Keeping Pressure in Check 

Testing season will always bring added pressure. But with intentional efforts, educators and counselors can help students to navigate the added stress with both confidence and balance. Educators can support students by remembering that adding calm to this season is not a passive effort, but one that requires thoughtful moments of connection and compassion. Similarly, educators should know that offering flexibility is not lowering expectations or standards. Instead, this responsive, relationship-centric response to stress allows students to continue showing up for learning. The goal—for students, teachers, counselors, and all across the school community-—is not to avoid stress entirely, but to ensure it does not overwhelm learning, relationships, or mental health. 

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