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Standardized Testing Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful — Here’s How Parents Can Help Their Student Prepare
If you’re a parent of a high school student preparing for college, there’s one topic that tends to bring stress into the conversation pretty quickly:
Standardized testing.
Tests like the SAT or ACT can feel overwhelming for students, and many families aren’t quite sure how early to start preparing or how strategic they should be.
That’s exactly why I address this topic in Chapter 4 of my book, Your Next Big Step: The Complete Manual for Christian Parents and Students Preparing for College. One of the key messages in this chapter is simple but important:
Standardized tests are not just academic hurdles — they are opportunities.
When students approach them with a plan, these exams can strengthen college applications and even open doors to scholarships.
But here’s the key many students miss.
Success doesn’t begin on test day.
It begins months before.
Why Early Test Preparation Matters for College Admissions
One of the most common questions families ask is:
How early should my student start preparing for standardized tests?
Most students benefit from beginning preparation two to three months in advance.
That doesn’t mean hours of studying every day. In fact, a consistent weekly rhythm — even just a few focused hours — can make a significant difference.
Here’s a simple strategy that works well for many students preparing for college entrance exams:
Start with a practice test to establish a baseline score
Create a weekly study plan focused on weaker areas
Take another practice exam later and track improvement
This process does something powerful: Preparation turns anxiety into confidence.
Instead of guessing how they might perform, students begin to see measurable growth.
Why Taking the Test More Than Once Is a Smart Strategy
Another question I encourage families to think about is this:
Will my student give themselves the opportunity to test more than once?
Many students improve their scores on a second attempt.
Not because they suddenly became dramatically smarter — but because they became familiar with the test structure, timing, and pacing.
They understand how the exam works and how they personally respond under pressure.
That’s not luck. That’s strategy.
Students who plan for multiple testing opportunities often feel more relaxed and perform better because the pressure of “one chance only” is removed.
Align Test Preparation With Your Student’s College Goals
Another important part of standardized test preparation is aligning effort with your student’s college goals.
Not every college requires the same score expectations.
For example:
Some local state universities have different testing benchmarks than highly competitive institutions. Certain scholarships may require specific score ranges. Some schools are test-optional but still use scores for merit awards.
The key is helping your student identify their target schools early and understand what scores are competitive.
Once you know the target, you can build a realistic preparation plan around it.
This is one of the strategic planning principles I emphasize throughout Your Next Big Step: The Complete Manual for Christian Parents and Students Preparing for College —
helping families approach the college process intentionally rather than reactively.
Don’t Overlook Testing and Application Deadlines
Another place where families run into unnecessary stress is with timing.
Deadlines come faster than many students expect.
Applications close. Testing dates fill up. Score reports take time to process and send to schools.
When preparation starts too late, everything begins to feel rushed.
But when families plan ahead, students have margin to:
Take the test again if needed
Improve scores
Strengthen college applications
Reduce pressure during senior year
As Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us, there is a time for everything — and testing season is no exception.
Planning intentionally can make the entire college preparation process much smoother.
A Reminder Every Parent and Student Needs to Hear
Here’s something I always want students to remember:
Standardized tests do not define who you are.
They are simply one part of the college admissions process.
However, how a student approaches preparation does say something important.
It demonstrates:
Discipline
Responsibility
Planning
Maturity
And maturity is exactly what students need as they prepare for college and step into the next season of life.
Why I Wrote Your Next Big Step
This exact season — the one you’re in right now as a parent — is why I wrote Your Next Big Step: The Complete Manual for Christian Parents and Students Preparing for College.
I’ve seen how powerful it is when families approach the college transition with faith, intentionality, and a clear plan.
The book is designed to help parents and students:
Navigate the high school-to-college transition
Seek God’s direction for education and career.
Strengthen family communication during this season.
Make decisions with both wisdom and faith.
If you’re walking through this season right now, I truly believe the tools inside will help your family move forward with confidence.
You can also find additional resources and guidance at: www.YourNextBigStep.org
Your Next Big Step by Sean Gibson will walk with you through this season of life. College preparation, financial management, spiritual readiness, and mentorship. This book will equip you to lead your teenager with wisdom, clarity, and confidence.
You are preparing them for more than graduation. You are preparing them for life.
Walk with your student and get them off to a good start. Get your copy today.
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