Test...Redo or Not? That is the question

UNLIMITED TEST?

As a new school year is about to begin (for some, it has already started), I reflect on my classroom expectations and rules.

One of these that bothers some people it how I allow students unlimited attempts to retake tests. Yes, you read that correct, UNLIMITED attempts.

First, full disclosure; I give my tests on a computer. Most questions are multiple-choice with a few short answer questions. (A later blog the differences between good and great multiple-choice questions). The short answers I manually grade. But even with these short answer questions, the students have a good idea if they passed the test or not.

Also, when students retake a test, I use the same questions, but the questions are randomized the second time around.

THE FUN TAX

So, when a student wishes to retake a test, they must do the following:

• 1) Students will handwrite all the incorrect questions and answers; this means in the entirety. This means ALL the distractors and the answer to each question. Not just the question with the correct answer.
• 2) Then they indicate the correct answer with a check or star.
• 3) Students can not retake test during class. They must take it before or after school.
• 4) If, after retaking the test, the student is not happy with the grade, they can retake it. Even if they passed the test, but they want a better grade.

This is the reason I call it the "Fun Tax"? So for students to retake the test, it happens on their time. For many students, they would rather hang out with their friends, play videos, or just about anything "fun," instead of retaking a test in my classroom before or after school. So, the students pay with their time to retake the test.

Finally, I have encountered those who feel giving students unlimited attempts to retake a test in some way is disingenuous. But as a former driver education instructor, people have unlimited opportunities to retake a drivers test. So, why not allow students unlimited opportunities to retake a history test?

How about you? Do you allow students to retake tests? Only once, twice, or unlimited?

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