Do Practice Tests Really Help? Here’s What the Science Says (and How It Helps Your Child)
Let’s be honest—standardized tests can feel like a lot. Between school stress, packed schedules, and the emotional ups and downs of teenage life, your child probably doesn’t need one more thing to worry about. And as a parent, neither do you. So when we hear the question, “Are practice tests really worth it?”—we get it.
The short answer? Yes. The long answer? Practice tests are one of the most powerful tools your child can use to prepare for big exams like the SSAT, ISEE, SAT, and ACT. But it’s not just about checking a box. It’s about how these mock exams help students actually learn better, feel more confident, and show up prepared when it really counts.
Let’s explore the science behind why practice tests work—and how you can use them strategically to boost your child’s performance and peace of mind.
What Science Says: Practice Tests Actually Boost Learning
There’s a powerful brain-based reason why practice tests work—and it’s called the testing effect. Decades of research show that the act of recalling information (rather than simply re-reading or highlighting it) actually strengthens your child’s memory and ability to retrieve it later.
In one well-known study by Roediger and Karpicke (2006), students who were tested repeatedly on what they learned remembered up to 60% more a week later compared to those who only reviewed the material. Another similar study found students who used recall-based strategies retained 50% more after just one week.
Why does this happen? Because our brains are wired to learn through retrieval. Every time your child takes a mock test and pulls answers from memory, they’re not just checking what they know, they’re training their brain to access that information more easily the next time.
So when your child sits for a full-length SSAT, ISEE, SAT, or ACT mock test, it’s doing double duty: it’s both a diagnostic tool and a powerful learning tool that improves retention and recall.
Practice Makes Progress: Finding Strengths & Gaps
Another big win? Clarity.
Mock exams are like academic x-rays—they show exactly what’s going well and where things need work. Maybe your child nails math but struggles with pacing in reading. Maybe grammar is solid, but geometry? Not so much. A single practice test can reveal all of that—before it becomes a surprise on test day.
Here’s something we always tell parents: you don’t want to find out your child struggles with key concepts the week before the exam. Practice tests give you a clear, data-driven snapshot of your child’s strengths and areas for improvement. Think of it as GPS for their study plan, every wrong answer is a helpful signpost pointing the way forward.
At Now Test Prep, we take these insights and turn them into customized prep strategies. No guesswork, no wasted hours—just targeted, efficient prep that makes the most of your child’s time and builds real confidence along the way.
Reducing Testing Anxiety
Test anxiety is real, and it can affect even the most prepared students. But here’s the good news: familiarity breeds confidence.
Taking practice tests under test-day conditions: timed, quiet, no distractions— helps students feel like they’ve already “been there.” By the time the real exam comes, it doesn’t feel scary. It feels like just another Saturday they already know how to handle.
As one parent told us, “Myles didn’t just help our son study—he helped him believe in himself. After just a few sessions and practice tests, our son walked into the SSAT with confidence, crushed his exams, and got into his dream school.”
Strengthening Testing Skills: Timing & Stamina
Let’s talk timing. You could have a math genius on your hands, but if they run out of time on the SAT or ACT, their score won’t reflect what they know. Practice tests help build time management skills and pacing instincts — learning when to push through, when to move on, and how to tackle sections under time pressure.
They also build stamina in concentration. These tests aren’t short. Without practice, students burn out halfway through. But with regular mock tests, they build the mental endurance to stay sharp through the final question.
Parents: How You Can Support the Process
You don’t have to be a tutor to help your child succeed. Here’s how you can make practice tests more powerful:
Create a real testing environment: Just like the real test, you want phones off, no interruptions or help, and timers on. If you want to go all the way, please reach out to schedule a mock test with us in Brooklyn.
Encourage one full sitting: It’s tempting to split the test across two days, but the best benefits come from doing it all at once.
Debrief together: Instead of asking, “How did it go?”, try “Which section felt the hardest and easiest?” or “How was the timing on each section?”
Celebrate effort, not just scores: Even if the first test feels rough (and the first one almost always is), remind your child that it’s just the start of their growth curve. The prep works. We often tell students ‘It’s a test of I will, not IQ.’
Final Thoughts: Practice with Purpose
So, do practice tests really help? The research, results, and our real-life experience and feedback from families say a resounding yes.
Practice and mock tests are more than a dry rehearsal — they’re a smart, science-backed tool that strengthens memory, reduces anxiety, builds confidence, and teaches students how to perform under pressure.
At Now Test Prep, we’ve seen the transformation firsthand. Students walk in to baseline tests timid, unsure, and overwhelmed — and by the end of the process walk out feeling prepared, empowered, and proud of their progress.
Want to help your child turn practice into progress? Let’s build a smart prep plan together!
