4 Tips for Improving Test ScoresWhen it comes to your student taking tests, there are some things within your control that you can do to help! Here are 4 tips to help your student: Feed them brain food – especially the night before and the morning of the test. Avoid processed sugars and opt for “brain foods” like walnuts, blueberries, salmon, tuna, beans and mackerel. An ideal balance includes healthy protein, carbohydrates and fat. Help them relax. Anxiety is a fear of the unknown. Go over material with them the night before a test and teach them some relaxation techniques, like yoga, meditation, deep breathing or visualization. Increase their sleep! This is a tough one for kids with anxiety and for teens who struggle to fall asleep early due to changing circadian rhythms. Talk to your doctor about safe methods to help with insomnia, like melatonin capsules. Encourage warm baths, consistent schedules and a cut-off for all forms of technology (TV, cell phone, computer). Avoid foods with caffeine, sugar and food dyes after a certain time of day, or better yet, altogether. Strengthen weak cognitive skills. While knowledge is the information you acquire (e.g., math formulas), cognitive skills are the tools you need to understand, memorize and apply those math formulas. With timed tests, one of the most important cognitive skills is processing speed. After all, just because two students can solve the same math problems, doesn’t mean they’ll do equally well on a timed test. To give them the learning tools they need to excel on all types of timed tests, enroll them in a one-on-one brain training program. To learn more about how LearningRx 1-on-1 brain training differs from tutoring, visit: https://www.learningrx.com/what-is-brain-training-/training-vs-tutoring/.