Case
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?

Posted on: 10/15/15 | Views: 1130
Solution #1
Top Solution
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.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

This is a very thoughtful solution. It is very helpful.

This is a great idea!

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Solution #2
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
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 #4
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 #5
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 #6
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 #7
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
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
Try reading the test questions out loud to the class.
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Solution #10
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 #11
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 #12
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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Solution #13
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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