How to Forget About a Bad Test Score

Assess your grade yourself before meeting with your teacher. Before you sit down with anyone, it's important to try to figure out why you think you received a certain grade, and what factors contributed to that. Look at the questions you got wrong or the sections that were marked down. As you go through, ask yourself why you think you missed certain points or got certain questions wrong.^[8]

• This will help prepare you for your meeting with your teacher because it shows them that you care enough to reflect and look for areas of improvement.
• This exercise will also help you come up with talking points so that you and your teacher can get on the same page regarding what parts of the material you're comfortable with, and where you feel you need help.

Schedule a meeting with your teacher. If you are upset about your grade, be sure to reach out to your teacher to set up a meeting to go over the results. He or she is there to help you learn and will be able to help you understand what you can do to improve. Sometimes it is difficult to understand your mistakes, and having another perspective can help you understand what you did incorrectly. This will also demonstrate that you care about your grades and want to do all you can to do well on the next exam.^[9] Confronting and addressing your errors will ultimately help you to forget your test score.

• Saying to your teacher “I would like to understand what I did wrong,” will help open a line of communication about your test score. It will help demonstrate that you are not disagreeing with the score, but that you would like to be fully informed so that you can do better in the future.
• Ask your teacher, “What can I do to do better on the next examination?” He or she may provide advice on studying techniques, clarify what he or she is looking for, and help you identify areas that may need improvement.

Talk about your feelings. It may feel like a monumental task, but it is important to talk to your parents, friends, or an advisor about your test and how it has made you feel.^[10] It is natural to feel uneasy talking about your emotions, but trust that those around you will be fair, understanding, and supportive. Talking about your feelings is a great step to forgetting your worry about your test score. You’ll see that once you open up, you will begin to feel better.^[11]

• Begin the conversation by saying, “I trust and value your opinion, and I think talking to you will help me feel better.” Let your confidant know that you are hoping this conversation will be a positive experience that will help you sort through your emotions. Acknowledge that you are disappointed or discouraged. Tell a friend, parent or advisor “I am disappointed in myself, and wasn’t expecting this score.”

Discuss your plan. Let your parents, guardians, or an advisor know that you discussed your grade with your teacher and that you plan to study harder next time. They will see how you are taking action to improve and will be impressed with your mature approach.^[12] Forging ahead with a new study plan will help you shift your focus away from your bad test score. Instead, you’ll be concentrating on ways you can improve in the future.

Remember that you can retake the exam. The ACT, SAT, and other standardized tests are intense examinations and can be particularly stressful for graduating students applying for colleges and scholarships. If your score is lower than you hoped it would be, remind yourself that you can take the examination again. Simply retaking the test can improve test scores.^[13] If you take the test multiple times, most colleges will accept the higher score and some will even combine your scores.

• Between tests, try to take as many practice exams as you can. Look for practice tests or previous years' tests online, and work through them with a study guide or book. Then, sign up for an official practice test like the PSAT so that you can get an idea of how much you've improved since your first try.

Talk to your guidance counselor. Your school’s guidance counselor is a great resource, and he or she can be key in working through college applications and standardized test scores. Talk to your guidance counselor about your test scores and discuss the requirements needed for the colleges you are interested in. Your counselor can offer advice, write a letter of recommendation, decide if your scores are sufficient for the school of your choice, and help you find resources for studying or retaking the test. ^[14]

• Ask your guidance counselor to schedule a meeting. Let him or her know that you are particularly interested in discussing your scores and what that will mean for your college application. Be prepared to share your scores, the list of colleges you wish to attend, and prepare any questions you have in advance. Your counselor will also be able to provide information on schools and opportunities that may not take your scores into consideration.

Sign up for a review course and practice tests. There are in-person and online review courses for most standardized tests. Be sure to review your options and consider which course would be best for your learning style.^[15] Becoming familiar with the test’s style, questions, and format will help boost your confidence and help you prepare to take the test again.

Don’t cram for exams. Preparing for your schoolwork will help you cope with the stress from your bad test score.^[16] Plan to study for your next exam over a long period of time instead of waiting until the night before the test. Having more regular and shorter study sessions will help you understand the material thoroughly, and it will boost your confidence. It will also give you enough time to ask questions if you don’t understand something completely.^[17]

Create a study schedule. If you make and stick to a study schedule, it will become a part of your regular routine. Before you know it, studying during these scheduled times will feel like second nature!^[18] You will feel more productive and less stressed once you establish a routine.

• Decide how many days per week you should spend studying and find free time in your schedule. For example, if you have free time in the evenings on some weekdays, set aside a couple of hours after dinner to focus on your work. If you're a morning person, set aside some time each day after breakfast to review your class notes.

Avoid distractions. Make sure that the television is turned off and that your phone is put away before you begin studying. It is easy to get distracted by the sounds of your favorite show or by text messages from your friends. These distractions shift your focus from your schoolwork, and they make it more difficult to pay attention to your studies.

• If you work better in a quiet environment, visit your local library or study hall at school to avoid interruptions and study in peace.^[19]

Join a study group. Being a part of a study group is an effective way to improve your next test score. Comparing your class notes with your peers can help fill in some of the information you may have missed in class. Your peers may offer a helpful perspective on a tricky topic or share their own successful study tips. Plus, study groups can motivate and support you as you prepare for your next exam. You’ll learn a lot, have a lot of fun, and be ready to take on the next exam with confidence!^[20]