December 12, 2024

How to Improve Math Test Scores

Written by Riley Haas

Teacher Resources

Math is a crucial skill that forms the foundation for many aspects of life, from problem-solving to critical thinking. But for many students, math can be a challenging subject.

Whether it’s struggling with fractions or feeling overwhelmed by algebra, many parents and teachers wonder how to improve mathematics results. At the same time, you want to build students’ confidence and help students enjoy the learning process.

In this article, we’ll explore practical, actionable tips for how to improve math scores in ways that can make a real difference. These tips can be applied to lower quartile students or middle quartile students.

These strategies can be used in both the classroom and at home. They will provide support for parents and teachers alike to help students strengthen their math skills and see measurable improvements.

Let’s dive into how to improve math scores!

Understanding the Challenges in Math Testing

Math testing often aligns with specific math curriculum standards, ensuring that students meet grade-level expectations.

However, many students face challenges such as math anxiety, skill gaps or difficulty applying concepts to problem-solving situations.

Proficiency in math is crucial because it not only impacts academic success but also fosters essential real-world skills like logical thinking and decision-making.

Effective Study Habits

Creating a productive study environment is key to helping median students and lowest quartile students alike. It can help them focus and absorb math concepts to the best of their ability.

Whether at home or in the classroom, ensure the study space is free from distractions like loud noises or clutter. Make sure that your learner has all the necessary supplies—such as pencils, paper and a calculator.

Helping your learner with time management can help them develop effective study habits. Break study sessions into manageable chunks with breaks in between to boost learning and prevent frustration. Use a timer or set specific goals for each session to help students stay on track.

Set a consistent schedule for study time. Try to keep it at the same time each day and in the same place. This builds a routine that reinforces learning over time.

Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of using available resources and tools. Educational apps, like Prodigy, offer engaging ways to practice math concepts while keeping students motivated.

You can also encourage students to use flashcards, math games, or math activities to reinforce lessons.

Mastering Math Concepts

Building a strong foundation in math is essential for mastering more complex concepts later on. Students often struggle with advanced topics because they haven't fully grasped earlier lessons.

For example, without a solid understanding of basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, tackling fractions or algebra becomes much more difficult.

You can help students strengthen this foundation by reviewing core concepts regularly and ensuring there are no gaps in understanding before moving on to more challenging material.

When it comes to mastering complex topics, breaking them down into smaller, more digestible parts can make a big difference. Encourage students to tackle challenging problems step by step, ensuring they understand each part of the process before moving on.

Visual aids, like charts, diagrams or manipulatives, can also be helpful in making abstract concepts more concrete. For example, using physical objects to represent fractions or algebraic expressions allows students to "see" the problem in a different way.

Teach students to ask questions when they're stuck and encourage them to approach problems in different ways.

Addressing common misconceptions is also key to long-term success in math. Students often develop misunderstandings about certain concepts, such as thinking that a larger denominator means a larger fraction or that subtraction always results in a smaller number.

Identifying these misconceptions early on and correcting them with clear explanations and examples can prevent them from becoming roadblocks later. You can use real-life examples and hands-on activities to clarify these tricky concepts and ensure that your student has an accurate understanding of the math they're learning.

Test-Taking Strategies

When it comes to answering different types of math questions, it's important for students to understand the best approach for each type.

Multiple-choice questions - Use process of elimination, ruling out obviously incorrect answers to narrow down options
Word problems - Break the problem into smaller steps by identifying key information and deciding what the question is really asking
Questions that involve showing work - Write out each step clearly to avoid mistakes and work the problem out completely

Time management is crucial during a math test. Students should first scan the test to get an overview of the types of questions and their difficulty.

It's usually best to start with the problems they feel most confident about to build their confidence. Then, they can move on to more challenging questions, saving time at the end to double-check their answers.

Encouraging students to keep an eye on the clock without rushing, This can help them pace themselves and ensure they aren’t spending too much time on any single question.

Coping with test anxiety is another critical aspect of performing well on math tests. Many students know the material but freeze up when the pressure is on during a test.

You can help your learners by teaching relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or positive visualization. These help students calm themselves when they start to feel overwhelmed.

Finally, remind students that it's okay to make mistakes—what’s important is giving their best effort and learning from the experience. This mindset can help ease anxiety and boost their confidence going into the test.

Leveraging Technology and Resources

Utilizing past tests and quizzes is another effective method when considering how to improve math scores. Reviewing these materials allows students to see where they went wrong and helps reinforce the correct approaches to solving problems.

This process also helps students familiarize themselves with the format and types of questions they might encounter in future tests. By practicing past errors, students can avoid repeating them and build stronger problem-solving skills over time.

Gamification in the classroom is becoming more and more common. While this new format of learning may seem daunting to you, there are so many resources out there to find the best ways to use technology to help your students.

Online tools and apps are an excellent way to make math practice engaging and effective for students. These resources often turn learning into interactive games.

Apps can offer personalized practice that targets specific areas where students need improvement, allowing them to build confidence at their own pace. Additionally, these platforms often provide instant feedback. This helps students learn from their mistakes in real time, rather than waiting for graded papers.

There are a lot of math apps out there, so it’s hard to know what the best math apps are for your learners. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Prodigy Math

Prodigy is an online math game that is curriculum-aligned and used by teachers, parents, and students around the globe.

To play, students compete in math duels against in-game characters, answering sets of math questions to cast spells and win the duel. These questions are tailored to their curriculum and learning goals.

As an educator, you have the ability to tailor questions within the game to reinforce classroom lessons. Prodigy Math uses adaptive learning technology and differentiated instruction principles to personalize the content to meet each student's unique needs. It can even help them target specific areas where they might be struggling.

Additionally, Prodigy Math offers real-time reporting tools for both teachers and parents. These tools provide valuable insights into each student’s performance, helping you identify strengths and areas for improvement. This data allows you to adjust the content within the game, making learning more personalized and effective.

Prodigy stands out as a top choice in educational apps, with research showing that it is one of the highest-rated platforms for supporting student learning in math. Plus, it’s easy to get started with a free Prodigy account and experience the engaging, personalized learning experience for yourself!

2. CK-12

CK-12 is a non-profit organization based in California with the mission to provide free, customizable educational resources that can be easily adapted to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Their platform offers a range of STEM lessons at no cost, allowing students to access high-quality materials without the need for traditional textbooks. Instead of using textbooks, CK-12 presents concepts in flexible formats, such as:

Photo galleries
Textual descriptions
Multimedia simulations
Video lectures
Flash cards
Practical experiments

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a comprehensive, global learning platform that offers a wide range of personalized educational resources for learners of all ages, both inside and outside the classroom.

It offers instructional videos that focus on math, helping students improve their foundational skills through guided problem-solving exercises. After watching the videos, learners are encouraged to complete practice questions to reinforce what they've learned.

With the use of adaptive technology, Khan Academy tailors learning experiences to each individual, identifying strengths and areas that need improvement.

2. Operation Math

Operation Math is an online game that creates a learning adventure from math drills. The player will explore the streets of Paris, the pyramids of Egypt and much more. Students can collect spy gear while on their quest to defeat Mr. Odd!

Kids will have access to 105 missions and various training runs that practice different math operations and skills.

For the complete list, check out 15 Best Math Apps for Kids That Engage and Boost Learning.

Prodigy Math

With more ways to make learning fun and more tools to support them, there’s no telling how far they can go!

Learn more about Prodigy

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Continuous learning and improvement in math requires setting realistic, achievable goals that help students achieve consistent progress.

You can help your students set specific goals, such as mastering a particular concept or improving their scores by a certain percentage over time. Breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable steps helps students stay motivated.

Regular progress monitoring—whether through quizzes, practice sessions, or apps like Prodigy—ensures students are on track. It can also help you make adjustments to your lesson plans in real time.

Encouraging a growth mindset is essential in fostering resilience and a love of learning. When students understand that their abilities can improve with effort and practice, they’re more likely to embrace challenges rather than feel overwhelmed by them.

You can help build this type of mindset by celebrating effort over perfection. Reminding your student often that mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process. Try to use positive language whenever possible. For example, you could say, "You haven't mastered this yet." This focus on future growth will help your students not feel defeated by temporary setbacks.

Prodigy Improves Student Math Scores

Prodigy has been shown to significantly improve student math scores through its engaging, game-based platform. According to research, students who regularly use Prodigy demonstrated greater growth in math proficiency compared to those who did not.

This boost in scores is often seen because of Prodigy's adaptive algorithm that provides personalized, adaptive math content. Unique content ensures that students are always practicing at the right level for their abilities.

In addition to improving scores, Prodigy has also been shown to increase students’ engagement and motivation in learning math. By turning math practice into an adventure where students can earn rewards, complete quests and interact with friends, Prodigy keeps learners motivated to continue practicing.

Teachers have also reported that Prodigy makes it easier to differentiate instruction. The platform’s real-time reporting tools allow educators to track student progress and identify areas where individual students may need more support.

This combination of personalized learning and teacher insight enables more targeted interventions, ensuring that students who are struggling get the help they need while others can continue to advance at their own pace.

Best of all, Prodigy is free for school administrators and teachers. So what are you waiting for? Get started today and prepare yourself to see amazing results in your students!