Chapter 8: Administering Assessment

Considerations Prior to Test Administration

·         Scheduling Test

·         Providing Information to Students

·         Academic Dishonesty

·         Physical Setting

·         Test Assembly

·         Answer Sheets

·         Supplies

Test Administration

·         Time: Tell students how long they have at the beginning of the test, and give them time announcements throughout the exam to help them budget their time more effectively.

While collecting papers, check that each student’s paper is filled out correctly: name on all pages of test paper, all sections of the test completed, and all parts of the test present. Make notes of any irregularities.

·         Administrator’s Role: It is recommended that the test administrator (usually the teacher) maintain a friendly but stern demeanor. Make it known to students that you will not tolerate cheating or misbehavior during the test.

·         Test Security: Remind students about the test conditions. Rules that you might want to institute include no talking, no cellphone calls or text messaging, and the correct procedure for asking a question. Before the test begins, remind students of the penalty for cheating.

·         Grading: The most common grade system is the letter grades A being the highest grade, then B, C, D, and F the lowest. Numerical grades are common, and they are usually expressed in percentage form. Often numerical percentages grades are translated into a letter grade. A third type of grading system is Pass/Fail. Some institutions uses a new type of grading for which students agree to complete agree to complete work at a certain standard for a set grade.

·         Grade Availability and Expectations: Inform students when their results will be available. In some situations, teachers are not allowed to release grades until the school administration approves them. If you work in the situation, make it clear you must abide by the rules and cannot disclose student grade.  Also inform students about your school’s policy on challenging grades or asking for a review of the test paper. Stress the importance of fairness and accountability.

Issues in Test Administration

Surprise Test/Pop Quizzes

A good program does not have surprises. It should be transparent to all involve. Surprise tests or pop quizzes have no place in an assessment program as students have no chance to prepare for them. Students should always know when they are going to be tested, what are they going to be tested on, and how they will be tested. Never administer test or quizzes as punishment or to discipline unruly students.

Latecomers

Students who arrive late for the test should not be allowed to take it. You should inform them of the date and time of the make – up exam if applicable and send them to the principal’s or college administrator’s office to wait out the exam. If you do not do this, the latecomer who is allowed to take the exam and who does poorly could complain that his or her tardiness affected the grade.

Incident Reports

A mechanism should be in place to record and report unusual behavior or events that occur during a test administration. Hang a “Test in Progress” sing on your door to prevent needless interruptions.

Accommodations Policy

Make sure you have an accommodations policy for students who have medical problems or are physically challenged.