An attempt to help college students who felt that they understood the subject matter but couldn't pass the tests was made. For purposes of this study, test-wiseness (TW) is defined as a cognitive factor, one which is measurable and subject to change either through specific test experience or training in a test-taking strategy. The specific purpose…

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)

In order to assess the validity of the technique employed in selecting items for the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), 58 male and 62 female undergraduates took the BSRI under three different sets of instructions. The results support Bem's assertions that the scales are consistent with widely held sex-role stereotypes. (Author/CTM)

Teachers and testers should encourage children to repeat or restate verbal stimuli in order to enhance their comprehension. Changing the administration of a language comprehension test to include such restatement significantly raised the mean test scores of four- and five-year old Head Start children. (CTM)

POI Fakability during counselor selection procedures was investigated through two test administrations with a group of 21 new graduate students in counseling. Subjects were not given self-actualization information. The results imply new counseling students have sufficient information about self-actualization to disseminate Personality Orientation…

This research examines whether instruction in test wiseness would result in higher test scores, using both standardized and specially constructed tests as criterion measures. (Author/RK)

Examined the effects of separate answer sheets on the California Achievement Test scores of third, fourth, and fifth graders. Students recorded their answers on their test booklets, separate answer sheets, or separate answer sheets after being trained in the use of separate answer sheets. Found no response mode treatment effect and no evidence of…

Discusses aspects of psychological testing as a job screening tool. Examines sampling errors, cumulative effect of bad tests, measurement of specific personality traits, test standards, using tests correctly, test validity, cut-off policies, demographic questions, and practical tips for taking such tests. (CT)

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)

Examines the accuracy of students' perceptions of whether enough has been learned from a text to pass a test in the experiments. Reveals consistent, although nonsignificant, increases in accuracy of perceived readiness for examination performance (PREP) from before reading to after reading. Indicates that only the before-reading to after-testing…

Provides a sampling of recent program development ideas that show the varied nature of test wiseness instruction. Warns that teachers are unsophisticated test writers. (ARH)

Criticizes the game-playing of students who participate in Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) preparation courses, are tutored, and take the SAT again and again to render themselves eligible for the college of their choice. Advocates the matching of academically compatible students and colleges without this artificial score boosting. (KS)

This article investigates positional response bias, testwiseness, and guessing strategy as components of variance in test responses on multiple-choice tests. University students responded to two content exams, a testwiseness measure, and a guessing strategy measure. The proportion of variance in test scores accounted for by positional response…

Offers a method for teachers in the content areas to teach study skills, specifically, strategies for allocating study time, reading, note taking, and learning for tests. (SRT)

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…