This article describes a study, from a Canadian technical institute's upgrading mathematics course, where students played a role in developing the final closed-book exam that they sat. The study involved a process where students developed practice exams and solutions keys, students sat each other's practice exams, students evaluated classmates'…

Explores how social, legal, and demographic forces threaten to dethrone the most widely used college entrance exam. New criticism focuses on the use of what is essentially an IQ test to measure students' ability to learn. (EV)

The history and institutional use of cutoff scores is reviewed, emphasizing the changes in these scores used over the years and the rationale used in selecting cutoff scores. A brief description of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is provided, as is background about how it works. Cutoff score recommendations of the American Council on…

Reports on two studies that indicate Role Category Questionnaire-based indicators do not reflect differences in construct system development. Shows that respondents reported their actions were intentional, goal- and other-directed, and communication. Reveals a substantial correlation between verbal efficiency and number of abstract descriptors,…

A strength of this exploration of testing and test use in the United States is the concern for how tests affect student conceptions of learning and student relation to knowledge. A weakness is a persistent confounding of classroom and large-scale assessment for state and national purposes. (SLD)

"Assessing Student Performance" sets forth arguments for looking at testing and assessment. The exploration is more about morality and epistemology than about technology and politics. A principal assumption is that mainstream assessment and testing philosophy is flawed. (SLD)

Presents examples of test bias and test misuse. Discusses FairTest (National Center for Fair and Open Testing) program areas and initiatives at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels. Discusses keeping the community informed. (RS)

Discusses how the cult of examinations continues to affect both teachers and students in China, and concludes that any serious reform of Chinese education depends on thoroughly rethinking the role of examinations in learning. (SR)

In a study of student teachers (N=70), National Teacher Examination Core Battery tests screened out a large percentage of secondary physical education majors, with the result that they did not qualify for state certification. Physical education majors also scored significantly lower than other majors on two of the three tests. (IAH)

Summarizes educators' and researchers' concerns regarding the use and misuse of standardized reading tests. Suggests a different model for reading assessment. (RS)

The Nelson Denny Reading Test (NDRT) is probably the most widely used test of reading comprehension at the college level in the nation. However, reviews of the test, as well as recent reports of its failure to adequately measure gain or lack of gain of college students enrolled in reading improvement courses, do not support the popularity it has…

Current practices for assessment of language in bilingual students frequently involve the use of tests translated from English to the target language or tests designed for, and normed on, monolingual people. This Digest explains why these common approaches are not well suited for a bilingual population and provides guidance regarding more suitable…

The diversity in college admissions policies is described and the relationship between these policies and admissions testing is explained. The consequences of government regulation of testing is discussed. Colleges are urged to defend their autonomy in admissions and to act responsibly in that respect. (Author/AL)

Reviewed is research which supports retesting students to enhance learning. Evaluation results, materials and methods used to implement the procedure are described. Included are tables on student responses concerning involved groups and the value and benefits of retakes. (RT)

A program allowing students to retest at a scheduled time during the course to raise a grade, by taking a variation on an original test, is described, and its advantages and disadvantages are outlined. Suggestions are given for making the technique more successful. (MSE)