The Worry Every Parent Knows
Sarah sat at the kitchen table, staring at the crumpled test paper her daughter Emma had brought home. Emma was bright, curious, and often raised her hand in class. Teachers praised her for solving tough problems out loud. Yet, when it came to exams, everything changed. Her child freezes during tests, leaving blanks where answers should have been.
Sarah’s heart ached. “How can she be so confident in class but stumble on test day?” she wondered.
Why a Child Freezes During Tests (And Why There’s Hope)
That night, Sarah scrolled endlessly through parenting forums. She discovered that many children, even those excelling in class, struggle with performance anxiety. According to a study by the UCLA School Mental Health Project, tiety is a common form of anxiety that many students face, and it can impact their performance in school.
Emma wasn’t alone, and neither was Sarah.
A Familiar Struggle in Many Homes
Weeks passed, and Emma’s grades slipped further. She still excelled when working with her teacher or at home on assignments, but the test room triggered fear. Sarah tried gentle encouragement, extra practice sheets, even small rewards. Nothing seemed to help.
One day, during pickup, another parent shared:
“My son had the same issue. We found that working with a math tutor gave him tools to manage stress and structure his thinking. Maybe it could help Emma too.”
That suggestion planted a seed of hope. Sarah realized it wasn’t about Emma’s ability — it was about giving her the right support.
Finding Help in the Right Place
Sarah reached out to STEM Prep Tutoring. What she found was more than academic help — it was an approach designed to build confidence. The tutor explained that children who freeze in tests often need strategies beyond memorization. They need to practice under calm, supportive conditions that simulate testing environments.
This approach worked across subjects — from reading tutoring that strengthened comprehension, to an online math tutor who helped Emma tackle equations step by step. For some families, the tutors even guided students through challenges like tutoring for dyslexia, ensuring every child had tools tailored to their needs.
The Turning Point: Learning Strategies That Work When a Child Freezes During Tests
The tutor shared three simple steps Sarah and Emma could practice together:
- Break problems into small parts – Instead of staring at the entire test, Emma learned to focus on the first question only.
- Practice calm breathing – Just two minutes of deep breathing lowered her stress before she began.
- Use mock tests for confidence – By simulating test conditions at home, Emma slowly rewired her brain to see tests as familiar instead of frightening.
Sarah felt a mix of relief and gratitude. There was a way forward.
How to Help When Your Child Freezes During Tests
After weeks of support, Emma’s progress became clear. She no longer panicked when a test began. Instead, she applied the techniques her tutor had shown her. She began finishing more questions, and slowly, her scores improved.
The strategies weren’t complicated, but they were life-changing. Sarah realized that while she could offer encouragement as a parent, working with a reading and writing tutor or tutoring in mathematics gave Emma professional guidance she couldn’t provide alone.
You Don’t Have to Walk This Road Alone
Sarah often reflects on those first painful weeks when she felt powerless. Now, she knows the importance of reaching out for expert help.
If your child freezes during tests, remember that you’re not alone. Many parents face the same challenge, and there are proven strategies to help. At STEM Prep Tutoring, we specialize in creating personalized, one-on-one plans for students in Math, ELA, Science, and test prep — from PSAT 8/9 to the SAT.
📌 Learn more or connect with a tutor today at STEM Prep Tutoring and also visit our blog page for more tips and insights.
Because every child deserves to feel confident, not fearful, when it matters most.
