I don't like tests.  I avoid them when I can.  But in life we're faced with tests of all kinds like Spelling and Math tests. Some tests come as we face decisions.  We must decide how to respond to our sibling who's singing obnoxiously in our ear just to make us crazy. Whether to lie or be honest in a difficult situation is an example of a test.  Maybe most weighty on my mind, this week, would be the STAAR test.  (Just looking at all the capital letters makes me feel intimidated -STAAR!!!!.....it's scary).  I am giving the STAAR test this week. It brings back familiar test feelings.  Those feelings got me to thinking.

Thoughts about Tests

First things first. Tests are only a small measure of performance.  Tests only measure specific things like your knowledge on certain skills on a given day like the threes on a multiplication timed-test. One test might measure your ability to do pull-ups with a belly full of the pizza you had at lunch. You may have a test on the playground which requires choosing if you will stand up for someone being mistreated or if you'll do nothing.

Tests don't ever fully measure who you are.

Let me say that again in case you weren't listening.

Tests don't ever fully measure who you are.

If they did, King David wouldn't measure up too well. He messed up big-time on a number of tests. I think it was his heart that God was concerned with. Don't be too hard on yourself when every test is not met with star-student/get-it-all-right- performance.

But being that this is a test you have to take and you're expected to do well, here are some tips to help you do your best:

Be prepared.  By the time you're faced with a test it's too late.  Either you have what it takes to ace it, or you can eeny, meeny, miny, moe your way to the answer.  Tests will come.  In school and in life, listen,....study,......read the book.

Eat breakfast. This advice comes from one who didn't eat breakfast and fell asleep one time taking an important test when she was a Junior in High School. Embarrassing.  Make it a healthy breakfast too.  An oatmeal cream pie isn't the same as oatmeal, though I wish it was.  Eat healthy.

Pray.  Pray for a clear mind; that you would be able to remember those things you've learned.  Pray for calm.  Pray that God will help you know that He is with you during this test (well, any test). He's the big deal.  Not this test.

Rest well. Know that tests sometimes bring about weird dreams....or nightmares. Thank goodness they're just dreams.

Weird dreams about tests are normal. I think...... Weird and normal probably shouldn't be in the same sentence.  But for me, I have weird dreams when I'm facing tests.  Just last night as I was getting ready for my test to give the STAAR without breaking one of the rules in the really, really thick book teachers have to study to give you the test, I dreamed that I had to microwave the test for it to be ready.  Anyway you can't do much about weird dreams.  I mainly wanted to tell you about mine so you wouldn't feel so strange if you dream that your STAAR test booklet grows fur and fangs and tries to eat you.

Don't stress out. Worry doesn't help; it makes the tests you face harder.  Either you will do well on the test, or you won't do as well you wanted to.   If you don't do well on a particular test, just expect lightning to come from out of nowhere and strike you.  Nah, not really.  So don't worry.  Pray, like I suggested earlier.

Here's a biggie!!

Tests are not final. Tests are given to inform.   I tested a Jiffy Hamburger Casserole recipe tonight.  It was awful.  So where do I go from here?  Maybe I look more closely at the recipe next time.  Maybe I switch things up a bit.  Maybe I try something new.

Abraham Lincoln wasn't successful at every thing he attempted. Neither was George Washington Carver.  Look them up. There were times they didn't achieve what they had worked hard for.  So they continued to work hard.  Test results are a starting mark. They tell you what you may need to do for better results next time. Don't sweat this.

Get on your mark, 

Get set.

get your No. 2 pencils

and get on with it. 

This.......is just a test.

P.S. Feel free to share your weird test dream.  Surely I'm not the only one.