In Dutch elementary schools, the results of the students are measured with the so-called 'Cito toets' (Cito test). In this article we will talk about how the Cito tests exactly work and what materials are the most recommended to prepare for these tests.
What are Cito tests (Cito toets)?
The school administers tests for language and arithmetic/maths. For language, technical reading, reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary are often tested. Many schools also administer the Three Minute Test (DMT). It seems like a lot of competences are assessed with the Cito tests. However, it is important to realize that the grades for maths and reading comprehension are the most crucial for the teacher to determine the student's development.
The Cito tests from group 3 to group 7 are mostly taken around January and June. The schools are free to choose exact dates for the examinations. In group 8, the Cito system works differently, since a school advice for secondary education will be given besides the normal grades. More information about the group 8 Cito tests can be found here.
How to prepare for Cito tests?
According to Cito itself, it is not necessary for the students to prepare for the tests. However, in order to reduce anxiety and to build confidence during the exams, it is strongly recommended to practice throughoutly before the cito tests.
Every student has it's preferred way to become ready for the exams. Here is a list of approaches to prepare for the cito tests:
Reading books: By reading books, the student will not only enhance it's Dutch vocabulary, but also the spelling. After seeing certain words for several times, the student will recognize what the word means and how it is spelled.
Ask the teacher for extra help: Elementary school teachers in the Netherlands are very willing to provide extra support for their students if they want to improve their weak spots. The teacher can help by clarifying difficult concepts in maths or grammer or by explaining how to approach certain exam questions.
Extra preparation materials for Cito tests: Practice makes perfect. By regularly practicing particular exam questions for maths and reading comprehension, the student will become comfortable with the questions on the real exam, resulting in favorable grades.
Highly recommended preparation materials for Cito tests
Personally I prefer to work with the practice material made by Junior Einstein. Their practice questions are the most similar to real Cito exam questions, which makes praticing with Junior Einstein very efficient. Besides, the lay-out of the Junior Einstein preperation materials is very structured and is also the most similar to the real cito test lay-out.
Choosing Junior Einstein for Cito test prep is therefore strongly recommended. It mirrors the real deal, easing nerves. The familiar format makes practice efficient, helping you target skills and manage time. The laid-back structure boosts confidence, and practicing with realistic conditions and feedback is key for improvement.
Junior Einstein has preparation materials for group 4 to group 8 students. There is preparation material available for various subjects as reading comprehension, maths, grammar and vocabulary. For students in group 6~8, Junior Einstein has a preparation package including all the exam subjects. With this package, the student can practice for all the subjects in one go!
Hopefully this blog provided more insight about how to prepare for Cito tests. If there are any further questions, feel free to let me know in the comments!
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