Presents a musical play designed to orient students to standardized tests by promoting appropriate test-taking skills and attitudes. Suggests effective staging techniques. (ABB)

Surveyed 90 elementary and secondary school counselors to examine strategies employed in test preparation programs, degree to which counselors follow structured curriculum in presenting test-taking activities to students, extent to which counselors target particular strategies, and how counselors evaluate program success. Found counselors more…

Describes a classroom guidance unit designed to assist middle school students in exploring their skills, habits, and attitudes related to taking examinations. By presenting appropriate test-taking habits and attitudes in a stimulating, group-oriented format, the unit offers an opportunity for students to acquire important academic skills.…

Compared the effects of an examination preparation unit offered in small group counseling or classroom guidance formats on the performance of low-achieving and underachieving middle school students (n=77). Results indicated the intervention was generally ineffective. (ABL)

Reviews several currently available test preparation options and discusses some recent studies on the effects of these methods of preparing for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. While special test preparation may not dramatically affect scores, some methods can improve students' confidence and familiarity with procedures. (JAC)