5 TEST DAY TIPS, HIGH SCHOOL Is your teenager fretting about test scores? With college applications just around the corner, tests take on a new significance in high school. Here are five ways to help your teenager fend off test anxiety. Dress in layers. Being comfortable is critical when taking a test. Once a child is comfortable, the environment will not distract him, and it will be easier to focus on the test. Be supportive. Encourage your child when she is studying for a test. If she finds the verbal section of the SAT difficult, for instance, let her know that their SAT score doesn’t determine her future. Remind your child not to focus on only one question. Let your teenager know that it is alright if she has to skip some questions. Going into the test without feeling the need answer every question is comforting. Avoid cramming. Help your child understand that staying up all night is not helpful. Relaxing just before the test is just as important as studying. Let your child know that he will be rewarded for his efforts and a last-minute frenzy of studying will make him more nervous. Find out test details. While the test’s location seems obvious, it can be the one thing that your child forgets. Make sure she double-checks the test location and the materials she needs for the test at least one day before. Being prepared will allow her to focus on the material she studied. By Payal Uttum