Confident, Calm, and Ready: A Parent’s Guide to Preparing for the EOG & EOC Tests

What are EOG & EOC?

If you’ve heard the phrases “EOG” or “EOC” tossed around at school this spring, you’re not alone—and you’re not the only parent feeling a little anxious.

End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests are part of North Carolina’s statewide assessment system, measuring how well students are mastering key standards in math, reading, and science. While they’re often framed as high-stakes exams, the truth is: they’re just one piece of your child’s academic picture.

Still, it’s completely natural to want your child to feel confident and supported heading into test season. These tests can be accompanied by feelings of anxiety which can have a lasting effect on how children react to testing in their future, so it’s a good idea to intervene early if your child is exhibiting any signs of stress. Whether your student is on track or working through challenges, here are a few ways you can help:

Mindset Matters

Remind your child that the test is a snapshot, not the whole picture of who they are as a learner. Encourage them to see it as a chance to show what they know—not something to fear. A calm, confident mindset goes a long way! Affirm that they are more than just a number.

Sleep & Breakfast Still Work

It sounds simple, but it’s true: a good night’s rest (shoot for 8 hours!) and a protein-rich breakfast set the tone for success. Skip the sugar overload and aim for something that will keep them focused. If you’re able, opt for a homemade breakfast on testing days and offer something that may be more filling. 

Strategies for Smarter EOG & EOC Testing

It’s likely, if your child is in a testing grade, that the teacher has been preparing the students all year by teaching useful and practical testing strategies. These are helpful for working smarter, not harder on test-day. Ask your child if they know how to:

• Use the tools provided

  Calculators (where allowed), scratch paper, and test booklets are there to help. Make sure your child knows how and when to use them.
  

• Click or bubble carefully

  Encourage your child to double-check they’re clicking on (if using a computer) or bubbling in the correct line—especially if they skip questions and come back.
  

• Eliminate & guess

  If unsure, teach your child to eliminate wrong answers and make their best guess. There’s no penalty for guessing but unanswered questions can hurt their score.
  

• Use all the time

  Speed isn’t the goal. If they finish early, they should use the extra time to review and double-check their work.

Take a Breath

If a feeling of overwhelm or stress happens during the test, remind your child to take a moment and just breathe. Have your child practice “belly breathing” by placing his or her hand on the belly and breathing in slowly while pushing the hand out. The belly should fall as the exhale happens. Another method is “box breathing” in which the child inhales slowly while finger tracing a line up for 3 seconds, holds the breath for 3 seconds while drawing a line over, exhales for 3 seconds while drawing a line down and then holds for 3 seconds while drawing the line back over to the starting point (creating a box). These breathing exercises can help reduce the heart rate, refocus the nervous system and bring mental clarity and focus. 

Cramming Isn’t Helpful, but Preparation Is

Last-minute cramming isn’t helpful and can often cause undue stress and more anxiety. However, revisiting key concepts and reviewing chapter summary pages in textbooks can jog memory. If your child needs extra support, you can also look into one-on-one tutoring options to build and reinforce skills ahead of the test.

Hopefully these tips will be useful in helping your child feel confident and ready for the test days ahead.  A little preparation—and a lot of encouragement—can go a long way!

Helpful NC EOC Resources:

Free EOG Practice Test
Test Anxiety Management

NC EOG FAQs:
What happens if you fail an EOG?

Students typically have the opportunity to retake the test. If a parent decides against requesting a retest, the principal evaluates whether the student will advance to the next grade or be retained. This decision is based on factors such as test scores, classroom performance, and other considerations.

What is a passing EOG score in NC?

The NC End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests are scored across four performance levels, ranging from “Not Proficient” (the lowest), Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 (the highest). Students who achieve Level 3 or higher are deemed proficient, while those scoring at Level 4 or 5 are considered college and career-ready. More details here.

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Written by Guest Blogger : Emily Anne Jones-Executive Director, Thrive Tutoring