According to conventional wisdom, a test taker should not change his/her first response to a multiple-choice, although empirical evidence has consistently supported such changes. Quizzes for masters level students in educational measurement and evaluation showed increments due to answer changing. Low anxious students tended to make more changes…

This study examined student and teacher perceptions and attitudes toward tests in a Navajo day school. The researcher found a discripancy between teachers' and students' perceptions. Students lacked an understanding of the seriousness and purpose of tests. This could be a factor resulting in their depressed academic achievement. (MD)

This study tests the hypothesis that student attributions of the causes of success on their examinations (ability, extra help, and extra effort) depends upon the test type (objective, problems, or essay). Findings supported the hypothesis. (AM)

Online practice tests and quizzes are commonly available to higher education students. The extent of student use of such study tools and the relationship of use to achievement, however, have not been fully investigated. One hundred twelve college students were encouraged to use optional online quizzes in preparation for proctored examinations.…

Grade A undergraduate psychology students used different test-taking strategies on a multiple-choice exam than did C or F students. In general, the strategies of the best students were characterized by a more thorough consideration of the alternative answers for each question. (RM)

It is well known among scholars and practitioners that stress and anxiety responses are genuine scientifically measurable reactions to a perceived stressor. It is also common knowledge that high levels of stress and anxiety have a multitude of negative psycho-physiological effects. These effects can contribute to the development of depression and…

The effects of two intervention methods on academic achievement as represented by spring semester grades in senior nursing curriculum courses were examined. The students were enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing education program at a predominantly black college. The sample of nursing students was divided into three groups based on the intervention…

The effect of three peer monitoring and retest conditions on student quiz scores, attitudes, study time, final course grades, and independent pretest-posttest scores was studied. The three conditions involved learning partners, unlimited number of retests, and a combination of learning partners and retests. Results indicate that some behavioral…

The amount of notes and textbook use were related to candidates' previously measured abilities in the area, to their scores on the examination; and to their responses to a questionnaire. Results indicated that those who devoted more examination time to using notes and texts obtained less good scores and had obtained low scores on previous…

This paper looked at the experience that college students have when taking exams. The sample population was made up of students completing their first exam of the semester. The study was designed to offer research-based support on how to help students improve their performance on multiple-choice exams. Student perceptions of the number of items…

The skills-acquisition group was superior in performance on the analogue test as well as in grade point average. They reported greater knowledge of effective test-taking skills and less attentional interference during testing. Results suggest that inadequate test performance be reconceptualized as ineffective test taking. (Author)

Evaluates the practice of providing feedback to students in a college psychology course. Findings indicated that reviewing test items improves subsequent scores on identical items, but not when the items appear in a rewritten format. (Author/DB)

Extended research on cognitive factors that may differentially underlie test anxiety and academic performance by assessing differences in (a) information-processing strategies used to encode course-work information, (b) degree of belief in one's negative self-statements, (c) Type A behavior, (d) test-taking skills, and (e) unrealistic expectations…

Argues for the involvement of parents in school testing programs and describes six ways parents can help their students prepare for tests. (HOD)

This study explored the relationship between time needed to complete multiple choice tests and college student test performance. Examination time and performance for midsemester and final exams were measured. Results indicated that the variables were relatively unrelated. Students tended to use a consistent test-taking tempo on relatively untimed…