Today’s students are more anxious, overwhelmed, and overworked than ever before. They’re struggling to balance AP classes, extracurriculars, early college pressure, and the constant message that they must perform at a high level at all times. But as expert tutor Michelle Chasin of Advantage Testing explained in a recent conversation with Admittedly’s founder Thomas Caleel, the true solution to this anxiety isn’t more work. It’s a better structure.
Long-term standardized test preparation and academic tutoring do far more than boost scores. It rebuilds confidence, repairs skill gaps, and teaches students how to learn in a way that calms anxiety rather than inflames it. When done correctly, it becomes one of the most stabilizing forces in a student’s academic life.
Below, we break down why this approach works, how parents unintentionally increase pressure, and what students need to thrive.
How Does Anxiety Interfere With Academic Growth?
Most students who struggle with test prep aren’t lacking intelligence or potential; they’re carrying years of academic anxiety.
Chasin sees this every day: students who look successful on paper but feel lost or behind. That anxiety often comes from what she calls “missing pieces” – foundational skills that were never fully mastered.
Maybe a student missed a key concept in algebra. Maybe grammar never clicked. Maybe they learned to cram and perform but never internalized the material. That missing piece becomes a quiet burden they carry for years, and eventually:
- Every new concept feels shaky
- Every classroom feels stressful
- Every test feels like proof they’re falling behind
Long-term standardized test preparation works because it reinforces foundations before the pressure hits. It slows down the panic and shows students they’re capable of rebuilding and thriving.
Learn more about how Admittedly partners with Advantage Testing at admittedly.co/programs.
Why Does Consistent Practice Reduce Anxiety More Effectively Than Cramming?
Many families assume one long weekly tutoring session is enough. But as Chasin explains, learning doesn’t happen in a weekly “download.”
Students grow most when they:
- Practice consistently
- Build habits over time
- Connect learning to process, not panic
This is why Advantage Testing uses frequent, shorter sessions: steady reinforcement rewires the student’s relationship with learning itself. Instead of waiting for test day dread, students build calm, competence, and trust in their own thinking.
What Role Do Mistakes Play in Building Strength and Confidence?
One of the most powerful ideas from the conversation is this: Students must learn to fail safely before they can succeed confidently.
In school, mistakes are penalized. Homework is graded. Tests are high stakes. Students learn to fear being wrong and anxiety spirals.
In long-term standardized test preparation, mistakes become data. Chasin teaches students to ask:
- Where did my process break down?
- Did I rush?
- Did I skip a step?
- Did I misread a keyword?
This helps students understand that “careless mistakes” aren’t personality flaws. They’re patterns that can be fixed with the right structure. Confidence grows not because a student gets everything right, but because they finally understand how to improve.
Learn how your student can build this level of mastery through our programs.
How Can Parents Support Their Students Without Increasing Pressure?
Well-meaning parents often unintentionally raise stress levels. They want the best for their children, but their worry becomes the child’s worry.
Both Chasin and Caleel emphasize a critical point: Parents must create space, not pressure.
Here’s what effective support looks like:
- Share concerns with a tutor, not the student
- Allow students to speak for themselves
- Trust the long-term process instead of demanding short-term results
This shift not only reduces anxiety but also strengthens independence and maturity.
How Do Students Reconnect With Motivation When They’ve Burned Out?
Some students are bright but checked out. They aren’t lazy. They’re overwhelmed or disconnected from purpose.
Chasin’s approach is simple and powerful: help the student rediscover their “why.”
Not: “You need a 1500.”
But: “What excites you? What do you want for your future? How can your effort now open doors later?”
When students reconnect with identity and direction, motivation follows naturally.
Q&A: Common Questions About Long-Term Standardized Test Preparation
Q: Does long-term preparation really reduce test anxiety?
A: Yes. Anxiety comes from uncertainty and a lack of preparation. Consistent, structured learning builds familiarity, confidence, and emotional resilience.
Q: What if my student is already strong academically?
A: Even top students have foundational weaknesses. Process-based work helps them eliminate blind spots and perform consistently under pressure.
Q: What if my student is unmotivated?
A: Motivation grows when students understand their “why.” Long-term prep gives them purpose, structure, and ownership.
Q: How early should students begin?
A: Earlier is better. Middle school and early high school yield the strongest outcomes and the lowest stress.
Q: What makes the Admittedly + Advantage Testing partnership different?
A: It combines expert mentorship, academic foundation-building, and structured long-term planning. Learn more at admittedly.co/programs.
Q: Where can I listen to the full conversation?
A: The episode is available on the Admittedly Podcast wherever you listen. Watch on Youtube Here.
