Considerable evidence indicates that self-efficacy, task value, anxiety, and the use of language learning strategies are related. However, there is currently an insufficient understanding about their relations in high-stakes testing contexts. The author aimed to investigate how well social factors, test value, anxiety, test performance, and…

Performance on subtests of the California Achievement Tests was compared for students in grades one, two, four, and five who had been assigned to one of two groups, one of which had received formal instruction in test-taking skills. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

The SCORER learning-strategies approach was used to teach 28 middle school students how to take tests. SCORER refers to Schedule, Clue, Omit, Read, Estimate, Review. Benefit of instruction was measured in terms of near and far generalization. Results are discussed and recommendations are made. (Author/MT)

Contrary to popular belief, and in accordance with research over a long period of time, changed answers to objective test items tend to be correct. (MJB)

This study investigated the generality of the negative suggestion effect in objective tests. College students read text passages and took objective tests. Later, they rated statements' validity, including statements from the initial test. Students were more likely to consider objectively false statements true if they had appeared on the earlier…

The effectiveness of test-taking skills training was studied by calculating test performance quantitative indices of effect magnitude from data in 24 studies. Longer training programs produced significantly greater achievement gains than shorter programs, supporting recommendations for test-taking training in schools. (Author/MT)

Test anxious students were less likely to have effective study habits and more likely to delay academic tasks than those showing low debilitating anxiety. (Editor)

Researchers examined the effects of student-generated knowledge maps as a learning strategy. Eighty-one college students learned to make knowledge maps then participated in in-class and out-of-class testing sessions. Mapping positively affected their performance on recognition and recall tests, positive effects which were maintained. (SM)

A causal-comparative analysis was made of college students' performance on a program of tests and retests. Gains in test scores, student response to testing and retesting, and characteristics of students who chose to be retested are discussed. (CJ)

A question is raised as to how much emphasis should be placed on the use of technical terminology in lectures, reading assignments, and tests, particularly in introductory college courses, if all that is facilitated pertains to factual recall. (JD)

The effect of using separate answer sheets on a standardized test was investigated by administering the test and requiring children to either answer in the test booklet, use an answer sheet without prior practice, or use an answer sheet with practice sessions. Significant effects on test scores are examined. (Author/MT)

This study assessed the effects of an intensive 64-hour Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) coaching program on urban, gifted students' test scores. Ninety-seven students participated in the summer coaching program; 47 formed the comparison group. Results are discussed and analyzed. (JL)

At intervals during the reading of an article, college students were asked to stop and state how they were preparing to answer an unspecified question about the article. Those students who had attempted to discern the question had significantly superior performance to those who had not devised such a strategy. (JN)

To examine the effect of motivational manipulated conditions on students' mathematics scores, elementary students received either ordinary standardized test instructions or special instructions (do as well as possible for themselves, parents, and teachers). Those given special instructions scored significantly higher in the test, implying that…

Chinese students, in this study of fifth-, eighth-, eleventh-graders, were consistently lower in test wiseness than their American counterparts. (MJB)