Issues involved in high stakes testing are reviewed, with emphasis on the proper role of instructional preparation. The recent focus on educational accountability has increased pressure to raise test scores. One way of improving test scores is to teach what is on the test. The following guidelines concerning appropriate instructional strategies…

This paper focuses on Smith's (1982) concept of test-wiseness strategies, describing several approaches that may maximize guessing on multiple-choice exams. Several previous studies indicated that the average level of performance increased when guessing was encouraged and decreased with instructions advising against guessing. Several studies were…

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: In general, coaching improves student scores on achievement and aptitude tests--including the SAT--but not very much. While the SAT is not invulnerable to coaching programs, only a few students have found impressive results. Coaching produces the following average gains: On the SAT, .15 standard…

This list of resources for use in classrooms and media centers as well as for individual use describes a range of materials about preparing for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). It does not include every available resource, however. Only items submitted by publishers or vendors within a specified time period and that received positive…

The booklet offers techniques to help language learning disabled college students and their tutors improve test-taking performance. The importance of mastering time management and study skills is stressed. Basic notetaking guidelines are presented, including use of a two-column system so that material on the right may be consolidated and…

This guide book was developed for use by school staff, parents, and students. It outlines strategies and test-taking skills which may be taught in the classroom. The guide provides sample instruments to determine what students know about test taking, and practice tests at the elementary and secondary level. Time management hints for test takers…

The authors state that this monograph provides information on how teachers and other school officials may assist students to score better on tests. The emphasis is on the development of test-taking skills, rather than on cognitive development. The contents include: (1) matching objectives, instruction, and testing; (2) assessment and test anxiety;…

In 1987, a study was conducted to evaluate the ability of several variables to predict student performance on Florida's minimum competency test for rising juniors, the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST). The variables included grades received in required courses; semesters elapsed prior to taking required courses after entering college;…

In January 1986, the Texas State Board of Education established performance standards for the Texas Examination of Current Administrators and Teachers (TECAT), an examination resulting from the passage in 1984 of Texas House Bill 72. This Bill called for Texas public school educators to pass a test in reading and writing as a condition of…

The Kaufman-Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), a new individually administered intelligence and achievement instrument, includes several subtests on which the examiner may teach the task to the subject. The purpose of this study was to determine if teaching or training could influence the test outcome and thus, lower the reliability of the…

The effectiveness of small group instruction in test taking skills was evaluated with 85 learning disabled or behaviorally disordered students in grades four to six. Trained students scored significantly higher than nontrained students on Stanford Achievement subtests of word study skills and mathematics concepts. (DB)

Describes an adaptation of the Guided Reading Procedure which was used both to help bridge the gap between students' abilities in Spanish and the reading material contained in their content textbooks and to prepare them for taking the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination. (SED)

This synthesis of findings from 40 studies showed that students can raise their test scores by taking practice tests. The size of the gains were a function of three factors: identical vs. parallel forms of the test, number of practice tests, and ability level of the student. (Author/BW)

This critique of standardized tests begins by placing the use of such tests within a social context. It then addresses the matter of standardized testing in theory and practice in relation to teaching. The substance of standardized examinations, their common content, and the things they do not test are also explored. The relationship of good…

This guide suggests that the responsibility of teachers is to provide rigorous academic instruction that will lead to improved performance on the Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I). Content-area literacy is especially important for the verbal section of the SAT I, and it suggested that all teachers should infuse reading and writing instruction…