Every year, as test season rolls around, we all ask the same question: How do I get my students ready for the math test?

And every year, we come to the same conclusion: the best test prep isn’t something we do in the weeks leading up to the test; it’s what we’ve been doing all year long.

In a previous post, I talked about effective vs. ineffective math test prep strategies and how last-minute drills aren’t the answer. Instead, activities like analyzing mistakes, justifying reasoning, and evaluating incorrect solutions build real problem-solving skills.

But there’s another side to test-taking that’s just as important: managing anxiety and helping students recall what they already know.

We also (unintentionally) add to that stress by talking so much about getting ready for the test, when really, they’ve been preparing all year. Instead of last-minute cramming, what they need is a strategy that helps them access what they already know.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is a brain dump.

What’s a Brain Dump?

A brain dump is exactly what it sounds like: as soon as students start the test, they dump out everything they might need to remember onto a blank sheet of paper. This helps free up mental space, so instead of stressing about remembering formulas or facts, they can focus on problem-solving.

Think of it like an anchor chart, but one they create for themselves, right at their seat.

If you regularly use and reference anchor charts in your math classroom, you know how powerful they are. Students naturally look to them when they need help, even if they aren’t always aware they’re doing it. And here’s the cool part: even when anchor charts are covered up on test day, their brains still “see” them.

A brain dump taps into that same recall ability, giving students a way to recreate their mental anchor charts on paper before diving into the test.

How to Teach a Brain Dump

Studies have found that incorporating activities using retrieval practice into your teaching not only decreases anxiety, but can increase your students’ learning. (WU Center for Teaching and Learning) The key is to practice this throughout the year so it becomes automatic. But even if you’re just introducing it now, it’s not too late. Here’s how I teach it:

1. Model it first. I take a blank sheet and do a brain dump in front of the class, saying things like, “Okay, what’s something I always forget? Oh yeah—labeling my units! I’ll jot down a quick reminder about that.”
2. Have students practice before assignments. I ask them to do a quick brain dump before independent work, exit tickets, or review activities.
3. Use it as part of test prep. Before practice tests, we start with a brain dump. I remind them: “This is your safety net. Get those key ideas out of your head and onto paper.”
4. Make it personal. Every student’s brain dump will look different. Some will list formulas, others will jot down “quick checks” for their own common mistakes.

By the time test day comes, they won’t be scrambling to remember concepts or strategies; they’ll already have a strategy to get them out of their brains and on to the page.

What Might a Brain Dump Include?

✅ Math facts – addition facts, multiplication tables, factors, fraction rules
✅ Key formulas – area and perimeter formulas
✅ Reminders – find the math main idea, check for reasonableness, simplify fractions

Here’s an example from a 4th grade teacher.

The Final Pep Talk

At this point in the year, our students already have everything they need to succeed. Our job is to remind them of that.

I used to tell my students:

“You’re ready because we’ve been preparing all year. When you see a word problem, use a Structure of Equality. If it’s something we’ve referenced on a chart, your brain will remember, even if the chart is covered up. You have all the knowledge you need.”

A brain dump is just one way to help students feel more confident and in control on test day. When we teach students strategies like the brain dump, we’re not just helping them pass a test, we’re giving them tools to think critically, manage stress, and trust their own problem-solving abilities. And that’s a skill that will serve them far beyond test day.