Test encouragement notes
Test encouragement notes or award certificates, one for each student before the big day.
A good test encouragement note reminds a student of something real they have already done, so the confidence it gives them is earned, not generic. Add a few quick notes about each student, and we turn them into an award certificate, a note in your voice, or both, ready for you to review, change and hand out before state testing or any big day.
A class of 24, award certificates: $72 ($3 each)
By Scott Mackley, founder of learnerborn · Updated
What to write in a test encouragement note
Skip the score. Point to something they already did that took effort, and tell them you believe in them.
- One moment from this year when they worked through something hard.
- A strength they'll bring into the test: patience, checking their work, not giving up.
- One small reminder, said kindly, like slowing down or rereading the question.
- That you believe in them, whatever the score.
- Nothing that compares them with a classmate or mentions a target score.
Free template
Test encouragement note template
Copy it and fill in the brackets for each student. Slip it in a desk, a lunchbox or a test folder the morning of the test.
Want a different one for each person, without filling in blanks? That's what learnerborn does: you add a few notes about each person, and each one is written for you to review and print.
Letter template
Dear [first name], Remember when [a moment this year when they worked through something hard]? You didn't give up, and you figured it out. That's the same [strength] you're bringing into this test. Take your time, [one small reminder], and do your best. I believe in you, no matter what. [Your name]
Certificate template
The [their strength in a few words] Award Presented to [first name], [class name] For [the moment or habit you noticed], and for the courage to keep trying.
Two real examples
From a few notes to a certificate or a letter they'll keep.
Notes for two students, Eli and Maya, and what came back before a big test. Shown exactly as written. The names are made up.
Letter
CertificateFor Eli, from Ms. Rivera
What Ms. Rivera said
“Eli was really quiet in September. Last week he volunteered to read his poem to the whole class, and he did it with a big smile. He always cleans up the science table without being asked.”
The certificate
The Big Smile and Big Heart Award
You volunteered to read your poem to the whole class last week, and you did it with a big smile. That took courage, Eli. Back in September you were really quiet, and now look at you, standing up and sharing your words with all of us. You also take care of our classroom in ways that matter. You always clean up the science table without being asked, and that shows how much you care about our space and the people in it. You have grown so much this year, and I am so proud of the person you are becoming.
The letter that came back
Dear Eli,
I have been thinking about you this week, and I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.
Do you remember back in September? You were really quiet then. That was only a few months ago, but look at you now. Last week you volunteered to read your poem to the whole class. You stood up there with a big smile and shared your words with all of us. That took real courage, Eli. Watching you do that was one of my favorite moments of the year, because I could see how much you have grown.
I also notice the way you take care of our classroom. You always clean up the science table without being asked. That tells me you care about our space and the people in it, and that matters so much.
You have shown yourself what you can do when you step forward and try something that feels hard. Whatever is ahead of you, I want you to remember that. You have the courage and the heart to do this.
I am cheering for you, and I believe in you.
Ms. Rivera
Letter
CertificateFor Maya, from Ms. Rivera
What Ms. Rivera said
“Maya reads every animal book she can find in our class library, and she just started writing her own book about sea turtles. She is the first to help anyone who is stuck in math. Working on slowing down to check her work.”
The certificate
The Animal Expert Award
For reading every animal book you can find in our class library and becoming our go-to expert on all things animals. For starting to write your own book about sea turtles, turning your love of reading into creating something all your own. For being the first person to help anyone who is stuck in math, always noticing when someone needs you and offering your help without being asked. Your curiosity, your kindness, and your heart make Room 12 a wonderful place to learn.
The letter that came back
Dear Maya,
I am so excited for you as you head into this next challenge, and I wanted you to know how much I believe in you.
You have become our classroom expert on animals. Every time I see you with another animal book from our library, I know you are learning something new, and I love how much curiosity you bring to everything you read. And now you are writing your own book about sea turtles! That takes real dedication, turning what you love to read into something you create yourself.
Your kindness in math means so much to our class. You are always the first one to help when someone is stuck, and that generosity makes Room 12 a better place for everyone. You notice when people need help, and you give it without being asked.
As you keep growing, remember to slow down and check your work. I know you will get there, because you care about doing things well.
I am cheering for you, Maya. You have everything you need to do great things.
Ms. Rivera
Award title ideas
Awards that celebrate each person's own strengths.
Each student gets their own title, written from your notes. These are about the student, never the score, and none of them rank one student against another.
- The Big Smile and Big Heart Award
- The Animal Expert Award
- The Checks-Every-Answer Award
- The Brave Mathematician Award
- The Keeps-Going Award
- The Careful Reader Award
- The Calm and Ready Award
- The Asks-Great-Questions Award
- The Never-Gave-Up-on-It Award
How it works
About a minute per person, start to finish.
We use AI to draft each certificate or letter from only the notes you give us. Nothing is final until you approve it.
- 1
Pick the occasion and a design
Thanksgiving, the holidays, the end of the season, a thank you or just because. Choose a design for your certificates, your letters or both, and your group's colors.
- 2
Type or say a few notes about each person
A moment you noticed, how they grew, what you'll remember. Messy is fine, and the more you say, the fuller and more personal each one will be.
- 3
Review, change anything, print
Review each one, change anything you like and approve it. Then download print ready PDFs and print at home.
Before state testing, finals or any big day
Questions
Last names are optional, stay on your device and are never saved. Everything is deleted 30 days after your order is finished, or 60 days after an order is started and never finished.
Who writes the certificates and letters?
You do, with help. We use AI to draft each certificate or letter from only the notes you give us. Each one is about that one person, and each letter is in your voice. You review each one and change anything you like before you download, and nothing is final until you approve it.
Do the certificates or letters compare kids with each other?
No. Each certificate or letter is about one person and never compares them with anyone else. Award titles celebrate that person's own strengths and growth.
How long does it take?
About a minute per person once your names are in, start to finish, including the time you spend talking or typing. Most of that minute is you saying what you noticed. The writing, the design and the layout are done for you.
What do I get?
Print ready PDFs on US Letter pages: a file of certificates, a file of letters, or both, depending on what you chose. Print them at home or at any print shop. You can also email each one to the family straight from the app.
How much does it cost?
It depends on what you make and how many people are in your group. A certificate is $3 to $5 per person, a letter $6 to $12, and both together $8 to $15. The bigger the group, the lower the price per person, and you see the total before you pay. See all prices.
Send every student in with something true to hold on to.
Start with first names and a few notes. You'll have an award certificate, a note or both for each student, ready before test day.
Certificates from $3, letters from $6 each for groups of 16 or more.