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Posted on October 15, 2015 5:51 pm
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jyteXa
jyteXa
Reps: 105
Students who struggle on test
During instruction and formative assessments, students seem to understand the content that I am teaching. They answer questions correctly, they complete work correctly and work well with their group members. However, when test time comes around, a great deal of students do not perform as well. I sometimes believe they have test anxiety. Some of the ones who score poorly on the test are ones who scored well on formative assessments. Any advice?
 
     
     
 
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Solution 1
Posted October 15, 2015 8:50 pm

Mandy Beverly
Mandy Beverly
Reps: 79
I try to incorporate test questions into my lesson and summarizers, so that the students are used to the language of the test. I was having the same issue until I started this strategy. I know that they understand the material but I don't explain or ask them questions the way that they sound on the test. Therefore, once I began incorporating the language of the test into my lessons they showed more growth on their tests.
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Dan G
Dan G
Reps: 190
I couldn't have said it better myself.
  Posted on: October 19, 2015 3:50 am

Kady Schlemmer
Kady Schlemmer
Reps: 202
This is a very thoughtful solution. It is very helpful.
  Posted on: July 9, 2016 7:49 pm

Kathy Allen
Kathy Allen
Reps: 200
This is a great idea!
  Posted on: February 23, 2018 7:36 pm

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Solution 2
Posted October 16, 2015 12:01 am

Morgan Zwissler
Morgan Zwissler
Reps: 81
The format of the test makes a huge difference. The students get used to the questioning style from the workbooks. If the tests look different, the students may start doubting themselves. I would create a test review that resembles the questioning format of the actual test. They'll be much more comfortable on test day.
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Solution 3
Posted October 16, 2015 12:32 am

PeSuQy
PeSuQy
Reps: 77
Would you consider differentiating the assessment format? Students could possibly complete projects or different types of assessments to express their knowledge versus traditional tests. If you give these tests to prepare them for standardized assessments, try having them break down sample questions to get used to the wording or to look for key words and clues in the answers.
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Solution 4
Posted October 18, 2015 9:58 pm

GaXyve
GaXyve
Reps: 76
It would be beneficial to first compare your summative and formative assessments. Are the assessments aligned? Have students had practice with the types of questions prior to the summative assessment? If testing anxiety is an issue, you could implement a mini lesson on the topic and offer solutions to addressing the issue.
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Solution 5
Posted October 18, 2015 11:11 pm

Dan G
Dan G
Reps: 190
Just the word "test" can make students anxious. Generally students with text anxiety get so worked up before a test they forget information they know. Try and plan a fun/amusing review activity before the tests to relieve some of the anxiety before the test.
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Solution 6
Posted October 9, 2016 9:25 pm

qyryMa
qyryMa
Reps: 203
Coming from someone who most certainly struggles with testing anxiety i can assure you this is a real problem. If the student needs an accommodation or has IEP plan i would encourage you take look into what you can do. Either extra time, or a verbal test too. You want to make sure this is approved before you go further though.
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Solution 7
Posted October 18, 2015 9:57 pm

qevaSe
qevaSe
Reps: 111
My advice would be to start with those summative test objectives. Be sure that these objectives are aligned throughout the unit. Also, I would break up the test so students simply do not get burned out from testing and starting marking any answers.
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Solution 8
Posted October 8, 2017 8:56 pm

Maritza
Maritza
Reps: 201
I think that you should decrease the number of questions that you assign on a test and if possible, read the questions to the students that do poorly on the tests to make sure they understand. Another good idea would be to split the test into 2 different periods to decrease test anxiety in the students.
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Solution 9
Posted October 16, 2017 10:38 pm

zuMyJe
zuMyJe
Reps: 100
Try reading the test questions out loud to the class.
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Solution 10
Posted October 18, 2015 7:02 pm

QuvuLy
QuvuLy
Reps: 78
As the professional teacher and content specialist you have the right to count any assessment as a test. As long as students can justify to you as the content specialist that they understand the material I believe that student deserves a good grade on that material. After all it is not about the grade, it is about ensuring students are successfully learning.
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Solution 11
Posted February 21, 2019 6:29 pm

Desiree Boyd
Desiree Boyd
Reps: 204
Create the test format the exact way as you do with all the other assignments that they seem to be doing well on. Having your test in a test format, creates the test anxiety and low test scores.
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Solution 12
Posted October 7, 2019 6:58 pm

eLutan
eLutan
Reps: 100
Test anxiety is definitely something that even I struggled with when I was in school. Something that you could try to do would be to work with the students before the test to see if you can help with some of the anxiety that they are feeling
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Solution 13
Posted November 11, 2022 4:55 am

HasuXa
HasuXa
Reps: 102
Make sure your grading scale is balanced, don't make tests a huge percentage of the overall grade. I find this also takes some of the pressure and anxiety away
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