Tools for Testing Season Practice
March 9, 2026
It’s that time of year again. Spring is trying to show up, the sun is teasing us, and standardized testing season is officially here.
As educators, testing season may not be our favorite part of the year. We’d much rather spend our time teaching than pausing everything for assessments. But because these tests are a reality for our students, it helps to have a few easy resources ready to go — both for classroom practice and for families to use at home.
In Episode 230 of the Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast, we share three free tools that can help students build confidence before standardized tests. Some focus on test content, and some help with something just as important: getting comfortable with the format of online testing.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is one of those go-to resources that seems to have support for just about everything, and test prep is no exception.
Their test prep section includes support for:
- SAT Math
- PSAT
- MCAT
- LSAT
- And more
What makes it especially helpful is how clearly everything is broken down. Students can work through specific topics like algebra, geometry, advanced math, and problem solving in manageable chunks. There are videos, practice questions, and unit-by-unit organization, so it’s easy to target exactly what students need.
Even if your students are taking the ACT rather than the SAT, Khan Academy still works well as practice for standardized test-style questions and skills.
ACT.org
If you’re specifically preparing students for the ACT, the best place to go is straight to the source: ACT.org.
Once you click into the Students & Parents section, you’ll find:
- Practice quizzes
- Practice tests
- Question of the Day
- Calculator help videos
- English, Math, Reading, and Science resources
This is a great resource to share with families, especially because students can create a free account and start practicing right away. The calculator support is especially helpful since using a digital calculator on a test is different from working one in class.
eSpark
eSpark is a fun option for younger students, especially when you want test prep to feel more like practice and less like pressure.
eSpark includes:
- Math and reading games
- Standards-aligned practice
- Grade-level filtering
- Activities for pre-K through 8th grade
One of the biggest things this tool helps with is online testing readiness. For younger students, it’s not always the content that’s hard — it’s the experience of typing online, using a mouse or trackpad, clicking the correct buttons, and following directions on a screen. eSpark gives them a way to build those skills in a more engaging format.
Why These Matter
Sometimes test prep isn’t really about “teaching to the test.” Sometimes it’s about helping students feel more comfortable with:
- reading questions carefully
- responding on a computer
- working through multiple choice and digital tools
- staying calm in a format that might feel unfamiliar
These three tools are easy to access, require very little planning, and can support students whether you’re using them in class or sending them home to families.
Testing season might not be anyone’s favorite, but free, useful resources? We’ll take those every time.
Go educate and innovate.
— Shanna
TECH MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE