A test before the test is sometimes the best practice for a spelling student. After taking some time to look over the words, give the student a blank sheet of paper and a pencil and give him the words to write down in a list. Say the words clearly and use them in a sentence. If you know the method that the teacher uses to give the actual test, then try to mimic it as much as possible. Grade the test and challenge the student to beat his own score the next time. Hearing and then writing will help the student visualize the words instead of simply memorizing them.
Saying, spelling and then writing a word will help students commit words to their memory. Have him look at the spelling word then say it out loud. Get the student to close his eyes and spell it verbally out loud. Tell him to look at the word again and confirm he spelled it right, and then write the word on a paper. Repeat this several times with all the spelling words to make the words sink in thoroughly.
Part of the reason some kids do not like to study is because they find it boring and simply no fun. Making studying fun can make a world of difference in study habits. With the Internet, it's easy to make studying for a spelling test fun. Log your student on to spellingcity.com and enter your spelling list into the spaces provided. Without a membership to the site, you can take practice tests and get the computer to pronounce and use the words in a sentence. With a premium membership, you can use several other study tools to improve your student's spelling. There is also a classroom membership for teacher use.
Flash cards have been a method used for studying spelling words for many years. Although flash cards are primarily a memorization exercise, they can be an effective tool for quickly learning the spelling words for an upcoming test. Simply write the words on one side of a card and ask the student the word. They spell it and then you show them the word so they see it and spell it.