Episode
272: Why Is My Teen Bombing Tests?
- Published
- May 19, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2092
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Your teen does everything right. Homework done. Pays attention. Stays organized. Has study skills. And still struggles with tests. Sound familiar? You're not alone, and this is not your kid's fault. In this episode of “Ask Lisa,” clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan dig into one of the most frustrating and confusing problems parents face: the capable, motivated teen who just can't seem to perform on assessments. Drawing on the science of learning and memory, Lisa explains exactly why this happens, what's actually going on in your teen's brain, and how you can help without turning study time into a battleground. 💡 YOU'LL LEARN: - Why being great at class has almost nothing to do with being great at tests - Why the transition to high school catches so many teens (especially boys) off guard - The study habits that feel productive but actually don't work (and what to do instead) - A step-by-step approach to starting the study skills conversation with your teen - Why your teen probably won't take your advice, and who they will actually listen to - How to broker the right kind of help so your kid feels supported, not managed Whether your teen is heading into finals, is making the jump to high school, or has been struggling for a while, this episode gives you real, research-backed tools to help them turn things around. BOOK: Outsmart Your Brain by Daniel T. Willingham, PhD ________________ Today's Sponsors: Task Rabbit: Get fifteen dollars off your first task using promo code ASKLISA with the Taskrabbit app or at https://www.taskrabbit.com. Donors Choose: Have your gift matched today at https://www.donorschoose.org/asklisa. iRestore: Receive discounts on their red light therapy devices at https://www.irestore.com/ Children&Screens: Check out Screen De…