The thought of the high-profile Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) may frighten many students, from 3rd grade to high school.

Usually, for most people, it is the “Test of the Year,” something very important to their academic performance and school’s reputation.

Although students may be apprehensive about MCAS, with a useful few tips they can easily do their very best on the test.

Readers may be wondering what in the world is MCAS. MCAS is a statewide test for students in third to tenth grade that is designed to report on the performance of individual students, the school, and the district.

Testing in the subjects of English Language Arts, science, math and technology/engineering, MCAS follows Massachusetts’ learning standards, giving questions in different forms throughout the tests.

Towards the end of the upcoming summer or early in the next school year, the students and school staff receive the test scores, ranging from Advanced, Proficient, Needs Improvement, Warning or Failure.

The smartest kids do not always get higher scores than the others.

People who do not get enough sleep at night may be unfocused and too tired to do their best.

While some kids may drink coffee or soda to keep alert, caffeine in those drinks is not a good substitute for sleep or for your health.

The wisest students skip the caffeine and go to sleep early to give 100 percent during the test the next day.

Breakfast is very important, as it increases focus and concentration throughout the day.

Without breakfast, kids and teens may easily feel grouchy, under the weather and lazy.

A healthy, nutritious breakfast makes sure kids are ready to do their very best because they concentrate on their test instead of their hungry stomachs.

On test day, well-prepared students have had sleep, and breakfast.

The teachers, after morning announcements, tell students to sit at their desks and take #2 pencils out.

The teachers read the unforgettable MCAS speech, the same one the students hear every year, word-for-word.

Test booklets are passed out and testing begins.

They have one booklet containing problems to answer, and one for recording answers.

One by one, students must carefully read every problem, fill in the correct answer bubble or write in an answer.

Finally, when they finish the questions for the day, the students should look over their work again to make sure they did not make mistakes.

When the testing is over, students likely feel a sense of relief.

While teachers and many parents may eagerly await test scores, many students put the test out of their minds throughout the summer.

When the test scores come in the mail, however, students may be apprehensive about what is inside the envelope.

Whether the scores are good or bad, each student should try to learn from his or her test taking experience, to find areas of improvement in both the MCAS subjects and in the way they prepare for tests.

Jack Gordon is a 7th grade student at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School.