TESTS: ​Are they REALLY as bad as people say?

Tests. It seems nobody really likes them. And that it’s almost a dirty word these days.
 
Nobody likes their instruction time to be taken away… let alone for another standardized test.  
 
And believe me, I am one of the first to agree!
 
I don’t agree with making our kids take endless amounts of tests.  What is the real purpose anyways?

But I also think we need to be realistic. Tests are part of our culture and our society way of life. 
 
Test taking is a skill. For some, it comes easy. For others, it doesn’t and they have to work at it.
 
I believe it’s our duty to prepare our students for what’s waiting for them beyond our classrooms.

Teach them how to learn while you teach your content.
You don't need a separate elective to build stronger students. My Study Skills Framework gives you the tools to integrate note-taking, reading, and organization into your daily lessons without losing a minute of instruction time.
Think about it… How many tests did you have to take to be a qualified teacher?
 
Even for those who take the trade school route, there are tests that need to be taken.
 
To become a certified welding inspector, my husband had to take an intensive course and an exam with a very low success rate.
 
Many jobs require tests in different forms so you can show your skills in order to get hired.  You can thank Wu Di from ancient China’s Han dynasty for establishing that system!
 
Even to obtain your driver’s license, you must take a test. 

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The purpose of a test is to show what you know. 
It is up to us as teachers to help students understand how to prepare for a test and be successful when it comes time to perform.
 
I have seen many teachers balk at the notion of giving their students tests. They insist on projects being their final form of assessment. That’s nice and everything, but if you ask me, they are doing their students an injustice by not teaching them how to be successful at test-taking.
 
In my social studies class, my students have a test at the end of each 4 week unit. I also give them a map quiz half way through the unit that focuses on improving their memorization skills.
 
Even in my study skills course, there is a final test. I want my students to show me what they’ve learned.
 
What about you, do you give tests?

​Do you teach your students how to prepare for the test?
 
Do you provide study guides? And do you teach your students how to use the study guide?
 
We are trying to prepare our students for their future. And reality is that no matter what occupational direction they choose, they will most likely have some form of test to take. Shouldn’t we be trying to help them learn the skills to be successful test takers?



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Teaching with Textbooks | Teach Like Midgley

I’m Hillary Midgley, and I help teachers move students from academic struggle to total confidence with a 9-week study skills framework that actually works. New here? Start with the Framework.