Investigates the reliability and validity of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Presents evidence illustrating the potential for considerable inequity: LSAT scores appear to be influenced both by the version of the exam taken and by the presence or absence of short-term coaching. (SK)

Suggests techniques for teaching students to comprehend test questions in a manner that requires them to think about both what is in the question and what could be in the passage. (HOD)

Examined the usefulness of subtle personality scales in which test respondents are provided with knowledge and motivation to distort self-presentation. Results indicated that subtle scales were not superior when faking occurred. Scores under these faking conditions were less valid, failing to support the utility of disguised approaches. (Author)

Examines the relationship of study techniques and test-taking strategies to success on the "O" level of the British General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination. Findings showed that teachers and students felt that course reviews, including study of past examinations, was the best preparation. (AM)

A poem reviewing the plot of "Macbeth" is a sample of what teachers and students can create as a review exercise before examinations. (RL)

Suggests ways of teaching students how to successfully take essay examinations. (DD)

Uses Lipsky's concept of street-level bureaucrat to identify how English teachers in two Chicago public schools respond to student failure within the context of district accountability agenda. Finds, for example, that teachers responded to testing policies by allocating significant classroom time to "teaching to the tests," but employed…

Composite math and writing scores for 353 General Educational Development (GED) graduates who had successfully completed the GED test were analyzed. For those who had attended classes and received coaching, significant differences were found on the writing skills test but not on the math test or overall test scores. (SK)

Summarizes a study surveying 153 K-8 teachers to determine their attitudes about standardized achievement tests, tests' usefulness, perceptions of how others view them, and perceptions of how best to prepare students for them. Results indicate that teachers felt negatively about the tests, and many engaged in practices that threatened the tests'…

Studies beliefs that psychometricians have about learning through interviews with 50 school district testing directors. Disputes about legitimate test preparation and teaching to the test are explained by differing beliefs about learning and implicit learning theories. Discusses implications for testing practices. (SLD)

This article discusses how test preparation helps students with deafness to develop the skills required to do well on standardized reading tests by examining test-taking strategies and common language structures used in test items. Common errors made by students are listed and helpful remedial classes are discussed. (Contains four references.)…

Provides helpful guidelines for creating exams and grading. Three main questions are addressed: (1) If it is known what content is important, then why not tell the students?; (2) Should students compete against each other or compete against course content?; and (3) What is the best way to handle cheating? (SAH)

Parents are an essential component in their children's SAT success, says Starlett Craig, director of outreach and enrichment programs at Clemson University in South Carolina. Clemson is home to a successful two-week SAT summer camp, where students are immersed in workshops that prepare them for the exam. But whether a child goes to a SAT camp or…

"Naturalization Test Redesign Project: Civics Item Selection Analysis" provides an overview of the development of content items for the U.S. history and government (civics) portion of the redesigned naturalization test. This document also reviews the process used to gather and analyze data from multiple studies to determine which civics…

This action research project was designed to maximize learning for all students by addressing different learning styles and implementing various strategies. The students in the targeted school exhibited difficulty in experiencing academic success while exposed to conventional teaching strategies. The two target schools consisted of an intermediate…