The current NCLB/ESSA-generation [No Child Left Behind/Every Student Succeeds Act] of pre-service teachers in the U.S. received their K-12 schooling during the standardized test-focused education accountability era. There is little research exploring how they perceive the disconnect between their K-12 teacher-centered, test-focused school…

This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of parents who used stress-reducing interventions with children during home preparation for the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in Kingston, Jamaica. Eight Grade Six parents with children who participated in the 2010 GSAT were interviewed. Only parents with a Grade Six child…

Many states have limitations on the number of times a student may retake the bar exams, but a variety of preparatory techniques can increase chances of success: hypnosis, reduction of test anxiety, better studying techniques. (Journal availability: 1155 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637, $1.00.) (MSE)

This leaflet describes simple techniques for developing children's ability to do well on tests, as derived from research done through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Suggestions for parents are divided into five sections: (1) Why Test?; (2) Ask the School; (3) Avoid Test Anxiety; (4) Do's and Don'ts; and (5) After the Test.…

Four commercial test preparation programs were evaluated for their effectiveness in increasing scores of elementary school student on standardized multiple-choice tests. Focus was on determining whether: formal training increases students' test-taking skills, students can generalize the test wiseness strategies to improve their scores on…

A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a Stress Management Seminar and a Test-Taking Skills Workshop in improving the scores of pre-nursing and guidance examinees at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama. The 73 subjects took the Pre-Nursing and Guidance Examination (PNGE) in June 1984, September 1984, or January 1985.…

This paper summarizes some of the issues involved in educational testing. First, it describes four of the fundamental characteristics of tests: whether they are measures of aptitude or achievement, whether they require students to produce or just recognize the best answer, whether they are interpreted in relationship to the scores of other…

Suggestions for students, parents, and teachers on how to prepare students to take standardized tests are presented. The value of deliberate efforts to teach students test-taking skills is supported by research. Activities to prepare students include the following: (1) teachers should develop some of their tests and worksheets in formats similar…

This book, directed especially to individuals over age 30, takes a how-to approach to earning a college degree in the least amount of time for the least amount of money. The book explains how to use fast-track methods such as "testing out," which takes advantage of prior learning, and accredited shortcuts to earn an accelerated degree. The first…

Explores the cumulative impact of repeated standardized testing on student attitudes and motivation. By high school, a large number of students, especially low achievers, become disillusioned about tests, are less motivated to give genuine efforts, and increasingly use inappropriate test-taking strategies, undermining test validity and genuine…