Testing
I don't test well, is usually an excuse for I didn't study.
If a student tells me they don�t test well,
I advise them to come in for tutoring.
If they don't want to come for tutoring, the question is answered.
When they do come in for help, we sit down and try to figure out what I can do, what they can do, or if we need outside help to build skills.
I do ok in testing if I am I back of the room. If I am up front testing I get distracted when some would walk by and I start feeling that I should hurry. Now when it comes to instruction in class I have to sit up front.
HI Troy - Thanks for your post to the forum. Good idea - "testing" is always intimidating so trying to make it less so is very worthwhile! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The word "Test" is enough to make a student scared, hesitant, and insecure. Try to get creative with the word test. Such as calling it a "Knowledge Assessment" instead. It works for me.
Sometimes they have genuine phobias, and I suggest they play an "inner game" of imagining the test beforehand and that they are doing it well. I also go over how to take tests (get relaxed, read the questions, don't miss trying to answer each one, etc.) and that takes out some of the mystery. But yes, some are just lazy or don't plan their work very well. Cramming at the last minute is a poor way to study, but no matter what I say some do it. No sympathy here.
Heck, I've had to get some of my college students to remember to bring pens just to check the attendance sheet. If you are not ready it will show.
Testing can easily be thrown off by distraction... Much like running through this course with the copier running, people talking, my door opening, phone ringing, emails popping up etc etc.... A good testing environment is IMPORTANT
I have found that if in class we have good test review and cover all key points of the lesson. Students tend to do better on their test.
Hi Richard-Thanks for your post to the forum. If students don't understand the material even memorizing facts is difficult because they don't have the context. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I have found that students who don't test well typically don't understand the material. They may have memorized some facts, but they cannot apply the material. They do not have a flexible, deep understanding.
In my tutoring classes I have found that alot of students try to get buy with just memorizing the answers to test questions and not realy understanding the material. I make sure that my students have a good understanding of how they arrived to the answer that they have given. This not only helps them on tests but helps them with the hands on part of the lab assignments.
Hi Shoaib- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree- sometimes students actually do know the matreial but just "freeze" on exams. Of course we need to work to help them overcome that problem if possible, but we can also use varied assessements like projects, assignments etc. to supplement assessments. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I want to add to this discussion that some students even though they are good in daily class activities and have good participation, once it comes to exam, they don’t do good. In another word, they are not good test takers.
Hi Frank - Thanks for your post to the forum. You did make an interesting point - if the student really wants to improve they will find a way to come in for tutoring. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
