Comments on: An Open Letter About STAR Testing

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 03:44:37 +0000

Hrm... That's a pretty tall charge. The good news is that dealing with stress like this can be practice for dealing with the stress of really serious things like the SAT, ACT, AP tests, or job interviews. But it's just practice for those things, so ease up on yourself a bit. Good night's sleep, complete breakfast, drink lots of water, those things honestly do help out, as trite as they may sound. It seems to me that it all boils down to the person's outlook on such a test. You do have to remember that, as AP History Student points out, there really is no punishment on this. Yeah, you freak out naturally, but maybe by thinking of what you stand to gain or lose from a situation, you can calm yourself down. If the STAR is all about you seeing where your performance is, how good you are, and nothing more than that, then freaking out over it doesn't help the cause any. To realize that all you have to gain is a better understanding of where your skills are and you stand to lose absolutely nothing, relax because in the end it doesn't matter too much. To stress out over this is to simply ensure that you won't perform as well as you know you can. As far as studying and being prepared for tests like this, glancing at the released test questions wouldn't be a terrible idea. Really, looking at released test questions for just about any standardized test would be a good idea since so much of these tests is all about preparing to take tests, in the most general sense, and not about the specific content being tested. Remember to breathe. Focus on your breaths, relax your mind, and feel confident that you can only do the best you can do. To do any less would be letting yourself down. Don't let yourself down. Anyone else have some ideas on this? Man, I write way too much...

By: Corky

Corky — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 23:38:14 +0000

What Cortney said above, is kind of what I’m like. I get really nervous when it comes to these tests, and I want to know what I can do to help myself relax for it, and be prepared and not worry so much too. I’m the type who worries a lot, so when it comes to tests like these, I fail because I freak out and can’t remember anything I’ve learned. Is there anything I can do to help myself calm down to where I wont forget what I’ve learned? That way I can pass the test like I should?

By: Cortney

Cortney — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 23:19:18 +0000

Um, How do we know if we’re ready?? Some people get really nervous, and since some people are so nervous, they panic and fail. Is there anything they might be able to do to help them relax during the test?? Any suggestions for them on how to study??

By: Todd

Todd — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:29:08 +0000

Answering your challenge is one such… well… challenge. If I ignore your request, I suffer nothing. If I write a fantastic response to you, I win nothing. But that’s just one.

Learning Japanese simply because you want to is another. Assigning your classes 8 instead of only 6 pieces of formal writing is yet another. Deciding to play Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 long enough to pass the final challenge with that last skater is still another. Think about it; those challenges that have absolutely no reward or punishment are all around you.

We’re talking about the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. If you’re looking for extrinsic motivation for every challenge you rise to, you will find yourself in rather sad shape very soon. To meet challenges that arise as a result of intrinsic motivation is the key to constantly becoming better at everything you do. That’s my whole point here and the STAR could be the beginning of that realization if you choose to let it be.

By: AP US History Student

AP US History Student — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 05:04:15 +0000

You said that lazily blowing of the test is a path one might follow in life. I challenge you to name a “challenge” in post-schooling life, that of which has absolutey no reward or punishment….