Why
Test-Taking Is An Important Skill
If you are a student, it
is obvious why you would want to learn a few tricks to help you do
better on tests. Some parents and teachers, however, may not be sure
this is such a good idea.
One problem with teaching test-taking skills is that students may become
more focused on how to "beat the test" than on learning. Of
course, the best way to do well on an examination is to be thoroughly
familiar with the course content. Learning a few tricks is no substitute
for learning the course!
Nevertheless, it is important for parents and teachers to make sure
their students know these basic skills. Here are three good reasons:
- If
some students know these tricks, while others do not, test results
will be invalid.
- Such results are
unfair. Good students may lose out in competitive situations
to weaker students who know less, but who nevertheless achieve
higher scores because they are test-wise.
- Such results are
also misleading, providing teachers with wrong diagnostic
information. Test-wise students who need help may not get it if
their scores are artificially high.
By teaching all
students the same strategies, we achieve a level playing field.
- Test-wise
students may have less test anxiety.
- Students
may be less intimidated by tests if they have some strategies for
dealing with them.
- Test-wise
students demand better tests.
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