1) Tests are a good indicator of knowledge

Often students will tell me that the test is not a good indicator of their knowledge in the class. However, when I sit down with them one on one (after they have already reviewed the test with a partner), I often realize that the test was actually a great indicator of their knowledge. That while they thought they were making sloppy mistakes, they really did not have a total command of the concepts.

2) Taking a test multiple times leads to improvement

To strengthen the idea that tests are a way to learn, I sometimes allow students to retake tests. So, for example, after the midterm all my students spend 45 minutes with a partner reviewing each others’ mistakes. After that, if the student wanted to come after class to re-take the midterm, they had to write test corrections for each wrong question. The test corrections were their pass to retake the midterm. 15/18 students improved their midterm score, which to me demonstrates the power of learning from the exam.

3) Students find it helpful to take practice tests

Another example: Any time I am going to give an exam, I give the students a practice exam that they can take at home. With the practice exam I include an answer sheet so that students can check their work and learn from their mistakes. The day of the exam I am in my room 45 minutes before school starts to answer any questions that they have from the practice test. In surveys that I do with my students they feel that these practice tests helps prepare them for the exams (and research suggests that in this case, they may be right).

4) Tests can help teachers plan what material to cover

A test, of course, is also a great assessment for teachers. The other day my students did poorly on a Loanable funds test. That forced me to incorporate loanable funds in my lesson today, with a couple of quick questions to ensure that the students understand the material. I will post multiple-choice questions and have students write their response on their personal whiteboard. We then hold them up so I can be sure that the class understands each concept.

5) Feedback after a struggle leads to learning