As testing has taken on a more significant role in the college admission process and, more recently, in K-12 education through the increasing popularity of high-stakes testing, so have the urgency of questions surrounding test preparation initiatives, through both private and educational ventures and school-sponsored preparation programs. This…

The open-field activity of 140 children 3-9 years old was observed. Children were either told to stay in one part of the room and play or were given free play instructions. Findings showed that open-field activity decreased with age; parents' activity ratings were also lower for older children. (CS)

Attempts to obtain information in regard to children's willingness to skip passages when answering reading comprehension test questions. (RB)

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)

A study investigated whether M.D. qualifying and certification examinations produced the same scores, pass levels, and educational outcomes. Data from 72 students showed the tests produce similar results. These findings imply the tests can also be used to predict student performance and for screening and diagnostic purposes. (Author/MSE)

Assessed the effects of reinforcement on the test scores of middle- and low-income children labeled learning and behaviorally disordered. Each child was tested under conditions of no reinforcement, immediate tangible reinforcement, and immediate social reinforcement. Results indicated that test scores can be significantly increased by…

The impact of answer changing on the test scores of students studying educational statistics is investigated. The results show that students who make changes in their original responses significantly improve their overall test performance, and high-scoring students make a greater number of changes than low-scoring students. (Author/GSK)

Argues that rather than excuse students with special needs from testing, educators should allow them to participate, provided appropriate interventions are granted. Suggests that testing can become a valuable learning experience. Provides test-taking strategies for special needs students, such as using a multisensory approach when studying,…

Presents in "journal entry" form, one year of teaching in particular that stands out as the year the author shifted from teaching facts to teaching children. Concludes that preparing students to perform well on standardized tests does not have to be separate from good teaching and authentic learning. (SG)

Current coaching practices used in training test wiseness for analogy items on standardized test batteries were investigated in a 3-group design involving about 100 undergraduates in each condition. The largest improvement came in items in the middle range of difficulty, but overall effects of coaching were important. (SLD)

Research shows a significant positive relationship between student test readiness instruction and test score gains. Teaching test-taking techniques lead to more accurate and valid test scores. Discusses elements of a test readiness curriculum for rural schools. (KS)

Reports on introspective and retrospective accounts from test takers, in an attempt to examine the validity of reading and test-taking "skills." It is noted that there are clearly certain skills or processes involved in answering test items in a particular format that are not necessarily specified by the test writer. (15 references) (GLR)

Investigated relationships between test anxiety and test performance among 431 10th graders from 15 classes of 2 Arab high schools in Israel. Findings revealed two types of test-anxious students: those who lack test-taking skills and those who lack study skills. Findings suggest that deficit and interference models of test anxiety complement each…

Administrators should offer preparatory courses for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing Program (ACT) because most students are not well prepared to take college entrance exams. Principals can improve a high school's test-prep program by ensuring teachers' familiarity with the tests and choosing a test…

Examined effectiveness of metacognitive instruction of study skills and test-taking strategies on at-risk fifth and sixth grade students (n=16) and compared traditional instruction with videotaped modeling and video-assisted instruction. Significant group differences seemed to support video-assisted study skills and test-taking instruction as…