People know that coaching for verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests can improve scores, although gains can be modest. Nevertheless, scores on retaking such tests can remain stable or even decrease following coaching. People do not know if such findings apply to coaching for tests of attainment. However, research into formative assessment shows…

The authors investigated in this study the effects of two electronic notes conditions (complete vs. partial) and two testing conditions (immediate vs. delayed) on three types of tests (fact, structure, and application). A 2 x 2 factorial multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) yielded no significant main effects for notes conditions on the fact…

Although past research indicates that giving brief quizzes, administered either regularly or randomly, may lead to improvement in students' performance on major exams, negligible research has targeted daily writing activities that require the processing of course information at a deeper level than might result from simply reading course materials…

As part of a larger project, we studied how a foreign language test got discursively constructed in the talk of upper-secondary-school leavers. A group of students were asked to keep an oral diary to record their ideas, feelings and experiences of preparing for and taking the test over the last spring term of school, as part of a high-stakes…

Among techniques which can be used by foreign language teachers to help learners use multiple-choice tests (after reading a text) to become better readers are: have students attempt to answer questions before reading the text; rearrange the order of the questions; and have students make up multiple choice questions. (CB)

This experimental study was conducted to: (1) provide further information on the susceptibility to special preparation of three Graduate Record Examination analytical item types; (2) determine the efficacy of self-study test familiarization materials for these types; and (3) ascertain the effects of several different components of special…

Concludes that teaching fourth- and fifth-grade children to ask themselves questions about key points in a story significantly improved their performance on tests about story content. (FL)

Determined whether test-wiseness training would influence the achievement of students in math and reading. Significant effects were noted in math for fifth-grade students. Race effects favored White students. (Author/ABB)

Studies of the predictive validity of the Dental Admission Test have been reported, but none suggest how an admissions committee should assess the scores of applicants who take the test twice. Improvement on the test scores might compromise their utility for purposes of student selection. (Author/MLW)

Prepublication copies of an extensive test familiarization booklet were sent to a random sample of Scholastic Aptitude Test candidates. The booklet had little, if any, effect on test scores, but it did alter examinees' tendencies to omit questions and improved their confidence with various aspects of test taking. (Author/PN)

Chicano college students who participated in a study skills program based on self-monitoring and self-reinforcement, supplemented with instruction and reinforcement from the program director, reported that time spent studying and performance on tests improved as a function of training and that the improvement was maintained. (CM)

Describes the uses of and reactions to, various preparation resources, and a large national sample of SAT candidates. Data suggest that students have a variety of attitudes about preparing for the SAT, but most believe in the efficacy of some method of preparation, and use more than one method. (RC)

Highlights biases, that is, learning styles and test bias, involved in testing low income Blacks with norm-referenced achievement tests. Offers suggestions to assist counselors in improving their students' test performance. (Author)

A discussion of strategies for helping the growing number of students with learning disabilities succeed in college work looks at classroom and organizational techniques the teacher can use, the value of notetaking and test-taking skills, and the advantages of coordination between faculty and related school services. (MSE)

Contends that young children have little experience in answering test questions and misunderstandings easily arise when they are subjected to tests. Reports on a study of the impact of testing expectations on 110 Dutch primary school students. Finds that clear explanations about the testing situation leads to better performance. (CFR)