Set the tone for a successful testing period by holding a pep rally for elementary school students. Play music to inspire the students to want to perform well on the tests. Challenge classes to yell the loudest for their teachers. Pass out pencils with an encouraging phrase written in gold lettering, such as "I'll do my best on the test!" Give students a mint or small candy just before the tests have been distributed and tell students it's a focus mint, especially designed to give students a boost for testing.
Award high achievers on state-mandated tests by raising students' grades. Establish a point system for determining how many extra points are added to each student's grade based on standardized test performance. For example, raise a student's grade from a C to a B if the student scores 4 out of 5 on a standardized test, or bump the grade up to an A if the student scores a 5.
Stir up students' interest in performing well on tests by giving sample test questions in the weeks leading up to the tests. Grant a special raffle ticket to each student who correctly answers the sample questions. Collect desirable prizes, such as gift cards for restaurants or movie theaters, or even bigger prizes, such as MP3 players, and hold a raffle drawing prior to the actual tests.
Set a goal for a single class or grade level to achieve on standardized tests, be it a 5 percent increase in total scores or an increase in a certain subject. Ask students to vote on a party or field trip they would like to receive if the school meets its goals. Include all students who participated in each day of testing or restrict entrance to the party or field trip to those individuals who met the goal.