Test prep season is an inevitable part of the school year, often met with a mix of stress and determination by both teachers and students. Standardized tests are designed to assess student progress and school performance, but they also bring added pressure for teachers, working to ensure students are prepared. While it’s tempting to shift into full test-prep mode with endless practice tests, this approach can be overwhelming and disengaging. Instead, integrating test preparation into daily instruction can make the process more manageable and effective.

Rather than treating test prep as a separate unit, teachers can weave essential skills into their regular lessons. By incorporating critical thinking exercises, targeted reading activities, and scaffolded writing tasks throughout the year, students build the stamina and confidence they need for test day. This approach not only reduces last-minute cramming but also reinforces deeper learning that extends beyond the test. When done strategically, test prep becomes less about “teaching to the test” and more about equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in any academic challenge.

To help make test prep engaging and meaningful, I’ve gathered a collection of free resources from some of my teacher-author friends. These materials are designed to reinforce key skills while keeping students motivated and actively learning. Whether you’re looking for quick review activities, interactive games, or targeted practice, these resources will help you seamlessly integrate test prep into your daily instruction.

1. Untangling the Reading Rope

A competitive test prep activity that provides a little metacognition lesson on how our brains learn to read. Students will race to untangle their group’s reading rope with each question that they answer, learning about the different components of skilled reading, in student-friendly language. Get the activity for free and check out my other posts about #SoRin2ndary for more information.

2. Context Clues Lesson and Notes

Standardized tests can be full of lots of unknown words. Many of Lit Literature with Lo’s students get bogged down with unfamiliar words… which is exactly what this FREE context clue lesson helps you avoid. With this resource, your students will know how to tackle those tough words with confidence. 

3. ELA & Reading Test Prep Task Cards

Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns offers these ELA & Reading Test Prep – Review Task Cards – Digital & Printable. They will help your students look forward to getting ready for assessments! This resource includes 70 ELA & Reading Comprehension Review Task Cards on text structure, point of view, and literary test prep.

4. Engaging Reading Passages

Looking for a stress-free way to get your students test-ready? Transform test prep into an engaging, confidence-boosting experience! Designed to target essential standards and mirror test-style questions, reading comprehension activities, like the Bermuda Triangle passage, help students build mastery in a way that feels fun and empowering. It’s perfect for sharpening reading skills in class, giving students plenty of practice analyzing texts, drawing inferences, and answering evidence-based questions—just like they’ll need to do on test day. Say goodbye to drill-and-kill—and hello to meaningful, effective review that actually gets results!

5. Sink It – Self Checking Game

Testing season and test preparation can be a challenge, but Stephanie from The Creative Classroom has a secret to share with you. Turn test prep into a game that motivates and engages students in their work. This Sink It! Game is a self-checking activity featuring both fiction and nonfiction texts related to Arab American heritage. Students will practice their reading comprehension skills to earn chances to sink the ships and win the game. The best part is that it requires no prep and no grading on your end!

6. Literary Terms Review

Ever asked your students to define literary devices or come up with examples as a test prep activity, only to get a mishmash of responses that are all over the place? Let’s be real—our students are not taking the time to make sure they have accurate definitions or appropriate examples!

Rather than be frustrated (again), Three Heads Works put together an epic list of over 115 literary devices and elements—complete with student-friendly definitions and easy-to-follow examples. And because they’re all about making life easier (and even a little more fun), they’ve included links to FIVE Kahoot! Challenges. Host in-class competitions or assign them for extra practice before test day.

Accurate definitions. Classroom-ready examples. A game-changing resource. You know you want this—grab it now. Your students will thank you later!

7. End of Year Review Activities for ELA Classrooms

The last few weeks of a semester can go by in a flash, so how do you fit in much needed exam prep when time is at a minimum? Katie from Mochas and Markbooks likes to incorporate fun and creative review tasks as bellringer activities, exit tickets or early-finisher work. Her resource End of the Year Review Activities for ELA Classrooms contains 15 engaging tasks such as “Course Reflection Scattergories,” “Character Memes,” and “Find Someone Who – Character Edition” to help prepare students to end of the year culminating activities and the final exam. Students will be so busy having fun, they won’t even realize they’re doing test prep!

8. ELA Around the Room – Academic Vocabulary

Test prep doesn’t have to be dull! This ELA Around the Room activity turns review time into an interactive and engaging experience. Focused on essential Academic Testing Vocabulary, it helps students build confidence and familiarity with key terms they’ll encounter on state tests. It’s the perfect way to make test prep meaningful, active, and effective!  

9. History of Easter PowerPoint & Note Taking

Easter is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, rich with historical, religious, and cultural significance.  This engaging and informative The History of Easter PowerPoint presentation and note-taking set provides students with a deep understanding of Easter’s origins, meaning, and traditions.  From the historical connection to Passover to the symbolism of eggs, lambs, palm branches, and the cross, this resource covers everything students need to know.  Additionally, the presentation explores how Easter is celebrated around the world and how commercialization has influenced its traditions.  Whether used in a classroom or homeschool setting, this resource encourages critical thinking and meaningful discussions about the true essence of Easter.This resource assists students/homeschoolers in test prep by:

• improving reading comprehension
• enhancing vocabulary
• improving critical thinking
• helping students/homeschoolers identify main ideas and supporting details
• encouraging students/homeschoolers to take notes

10. Article of the Week – Leveled Nonfiction

Need a no-prep resource to help your middle schoolers tackle test prep with confidence? This Article of the Week includes a leveled nonfiction article paired with a targeted question set covering main idea, text evidence, vocabulary, writing, and more. Perfect for review, small groups, or independent practice, this resource helps students sharpen their skills while building stamina for test day. Save time and boost engagement—because test prep doesn’t have to be boring! 🤩