 Test IdeasTesting my niece on her colors!
Here are a few test ideas or ideas related to giving tests or even types of test you can give just a collection for your bag of tricks.
1. Cumulative testing- All my tests are cumulative to allow a constant practice of all the material. If the students and teachers are going to be evaluated on a final test that is cumulative then I'm going to practice with the same standard. This also allows the weak student at the beginning of the year to catch up. If they fail the first 4-5 test but pass the last 3 then I can justify passing them because they have learned the material they did not know on the early tests. Plus I don't need as much review time at the end of the year.
2. Take home make up tests- Put the test in an envelope and send it home let the parents monitor the test and send it back with a signed note. OK I can hear the yelling now "They will cheat!" Well first of all if a student has parents that would lie or cheat for them they have bigger problems then school. They still have to look up the answers, I do not mark the correct answers on students scantron sheets when I return them so no one has all the right answers and I scramble the questions and answers in the test generator. I also circle any take home grades to compare to in class grades. We just need to work smarter not harder.
3. 24 hours in advance- Read my "give them the test" column in past column site of this web page. I give out all my test 24 hours in advance.
4. D or F open notes- If a student has a D or F during the previous grading period they may use open notes, open book or divine intervention on their tests. You don't know it look it up! You had 24 hours to work on this then open notes - NO Excuse! This documents lack of effort!
5. Who gives a Good Gosh Darn Test- This review test makes a student write the material down once, makes sure they have the right answer once, and documents who does not even try. Give the kids the test (100 problems) on Monday. Help them look up and figure out the right answers. Don't you do it! Let them look it up and confirm correct work. Homework for the week is to study the work each night and write out the work from class every day. Friday give them the exact same test. This rewards the pluggers, reviews the material correctly and documents the non-participants.
6. Eduware remotes- I give test using Eduware polling test and student held remotes. The kids think paperless tests are fun. The polling software grades, does item analysis and takes roll for me. Read my Eduware column!
7. Long multiple choice test- When I coached my practices were always longer than the games. So when I test my tests are longer then the end of year state standard exam. Any standardized test should be the easiest tests they take all year.
8. SchoolIsland.com- Every other week I test using the Internet site schoolIsland.com. (Not study island!!) This is an excellent computer based testing and extra credit site.
9. All or nothing grading- No partial credit! Right or wrong!
10. Make all your test harder than any state standardized test or year end exam. Students must practice at a level above to achieve excellence.
Remember to reward a job well done!
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