How to Prepare for High-Stakes Math Exams: Practical Tips for Students
I had teachers who always told me to skim through the test, eliminate answer choices, and use the tools I’d been given. We repeated that advice over and over again. Of course, I was born in the 1900s—which, according to today’s students, basically makes me ancient, like I'm from Jurassic Park. High-stakes tests were a thing back then. But now? They’re an even bigger deal—though that’s a whole other discussion.
Still, most of us have had to take some kind of exam if we’re working in any kind of professional capacity. I’ve had to use those same test-taking skills multiple times. Practice makes permanent. You can’t wait until test day to figure things out. You have to practice beforehand—and do it strategically.
One thing the brain—especially the adolescent brain, but even the adult brain—is really good at is being overly optimistic about what can be done later. We put off for tomorrow what we could do today, expecting motivation to magically show up. We think, “Tomorrow I’ll feel it. Tomorrow it’ll hit me across the face and I’ll finally start.” That’s what a lot of kids are waiting for—and honestly, it rarely happens.
As a parent, sometimes you have to be part of the motivation. Help create the environment that makes it easier for your teen to study well. If you need ideas for that, check out my blog post on creating a good study space.
And if you haven’t already, I highly recommend the book Atomic Habits. While it doesn’t teach specific study strategies, it does explain the power of habit and how to build sustainable routines—something that can be incredibly helpful for your adolescent. Consider this a tangent from today’s post, but one worth exploring. It’s a valuable addition to your parenting toolbox, especially when helping your student build long-term habits that support success—even if their school is currently test-optional.
Why does exam-specific practice matter?
Every exam is different. Whether you're taking the SAT, ACT, ASVAB, AFOQT, or another high-stakes test, it's essential to understand the specific rules, timing, and tools allowed. Many students skip this step, but it can make or break your performance.
Some tests allow calculators, others don't—or restrict which types.
Some offer formula sheets; others expect you to memorize key formulas.
Some are paper-based, while others are digital.
Start by learning everything you can about the format and tools. Then, integrate those details into your study sessions.
How does timing impact test performance—especially for ADHD students?
Research supports this: test-taking strategies like time management, skimming, and testwiseness significantly impact student performance in mathematics. A peer-reviewed study of secondary school students found that strategies such as using mnemonics, eliminating wrong choices, and skimming questions contributed measurably to improved scores—even among students who already had subject knowledge (Fasoranti, 2022). Time pressure is one of the hardest parts of standardized testing, especially for students with ADHD. Executive functioning challenges can lead to underestimating how long questions take—and overfocusing on one problem for too long.
Key tip: Practice with time limits, but don’t start that way.
Begin untimed to rebuild or relearn foundational skills.
Once comfortable, simulate real test timing.
Break practice into smaller chunks—try 5–10 math questions at a time.
If your math section is 30 minutes with 20 questions, that’s 1.5 minutes per question. So if you do 5 questions, give yourself about 7.5 minutes.
What's the best way to manage your time during the test?
Use a two-pass strategy:
First Pass: Skim through all questions quickly. Answer the ones you know instantly or can solve in under 30 seconds.
Second Pass: Return to the tougher or longer questions. Now that you've banked your easy points, you can work more strategically.
This prevents you from running out of time and missing easier questions at the end.
What tools should you practice with?
Always use the same tools you'll be allowed on test day:
The same calculator model
Any approved formula sheets
The same test format (digital vs. paper)
You're not just studying for the math—you're studying for the experience.
What if I get stuck on a problem?
It's easy to burn 10–15 minutes on a single question. Resist that urge. If a question is dragging out and you know you could solve it eventually, flag it and move on.
On tests like the ASVAB or ACT, your score benefits more from completing more questions than perfectly solving just a few. If you're stuck, try rounding or estimating to get an approximate answer. Even narrowing it down to two options gives you a 50/50 chance. Eliminate what you can, take a guess, mark it, and move on.
How can I make practice less stressful?
Timed practice is essential—but not every session needs to be a high-stress simulation.
Allow yourself untimed practice, especially when reviewing concepts you’ve forgotten.
Give yourself grace. Learning under stress is inefficient.
Remember: consistency beats cramming.
Try just 5–10 minutes of focused math per day. One or two solid practice sets can make a huge difference.
Is there a mental health component to test prep?
Yes—especially when dealing with high-stakes tests and neurodivergent brains. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches us that embracing uncertainty and managing our emotional responses to stress are critical.
You can’t control the exact problems you’ll face. You can control how you prepare and how you respond.
There’s always a probability element in these exams. You might get more geometry than expected or fewer algebra problems. Stay flexible, and don’t let one tough section define your confidence.
What if I have to take the test again?
That’s okay.
Retakes are not a sign of failure—they’re part of many students’ success stories. What matters most is your belief that you can improve. One test doesn’t define you.
Bonus Tool: My GPT for Military Test Prep
I took the ASVAB in college and scored a 94. Though I ultimately didn’t join the military, I come from a family with a long tradition of service—and I love helping others reach their goals.
That’s why I created a free GPT tool designed specifically to help students prep for:
ASVAB
AFOQT
Other military entrance exams
It gives you 5 new math questions per day, tracks your time, and offers smart tips for improving your pacing. Perfect for Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge.
If you're prepping for military service, this tool is for you.
You can access it by signing up through my email list. Once you're on the list, you'll receive exclusive access to the GPT tool. From there, your student can use it anytime to generate 5 fresh math questions a day. It’s a flexible, self-paced resource designed to support daily practice—without daily emails.
You won’t be automatically subscribed to every email I send. But if you’d like to receive helpful updates, tips, or new resources in the future, you’ll have the option to opt in. Totally up to you. It's just one more way to stay connected and support your student's growth.
About the Author
Sharronda Smith of Enrichology Tutoring is a neurodivergent educator who has experienced firsthand how powerful interest-based and inclusive learning can be—especially for learners with ADHD or autism. From a young age, she was captivated by science and the mysteries of existence, which led her to explore biology, chemistry, physics, and eventually math—once she realized math was the key to unlocking scientific understanding.
With a sibling on the autism spectrum and a deep commitment to inclusive education, Sharronda holds certifications in 7–12 mathematics, 8–12 science, and EC–12 special education. She has taught high school science and uses her interdisciplinary background to create customized strategies that resonate with neurodivergent learners.
Sharronda’s mission is to help students—and their families—understand how learning actually works for differently-wired brains. She specializes in helping students overcome math anxiety by connecting abstract concepts to their real-life passions and interests. Her approach is empathetic, research-informed, and rooted in lived experience.
Through Enrichology Tutoring, Sharronda empowers families to embrace interest-based strategies that spark motivation, build confidence, and turn learning into something joyful and meaningful.
Works Cited:
Fasoranti, S. B. (2022). Test-taking strategies as determinant of students’ academic performance in mathematics public secondary schools in Ekiti State. Euro Afro Studies International Journal, 4(8), 74–85.
