Middle School

Exams and the testing effect

This week our Year 7-11s have been completing their mid-year examinations. From many of the Middle Years students this is a challenging and stressful time, while others see this as great opportunity for learning. With our students completing exams both mid-year and at the end of the year, this gives them a great deal of experience when they sit their final Year 12 VCE examinations and it is also an example of what cognitive psychology research describes as the testing effect.   

The testing effect refers to the finding that taking tests (or exams) on previously learned material enhances long-term retention more effectively than simply restudying the same material. In other words, tests or exams are used as a training tactic, rather than an end result. By devoting time to completing exams throughout their schooling, performance in final examinations can be improved. For best results of the testing effect, feedback is key; the learner should receive feedback on their performance and learn the correct answers. Findings from the testing effect suggest that practice tests or exams during learning may slow the rate of students forgetting the information they have learned throughout the unit, semester and academic year.

While students will be relieved that the examinations are finished on Friday, next week is a key time for our Middle Years students to receive feedback on each of their exams and ensure they pay attention and reflect on their responses to ensure that the feedback aspect of the testing effect is maximised and becomes part of their learning process. It’s also a good time to stop, reminisce and enjoy the feeling of getting through a tough and challenging week of exams.