Learning Strategies, Study Skills, & Paired Courses - College ...

Two-Stage Testing Process
Description
Use the two-stage testing process when you do not have time to fully cover a concept. Explain
this to students in advance.
1. Give individual students the test.
2. Form students into working groups as they turn in their tests. (So they can’t collaborate
and plan for one member to "throw" their score and can’t avoid people they prefer not to
work with!)
3. Next, give each group the same test to complete together.
4. Take half of the difference between the group average and the group test score and add
that to their individual score.
Using this testing process, students are assessed on what they know individually, as well as what
they collaborate on and learn from each other. Furthermore, test anxiety is reduced because
students know they can rely on help from their group. This is a “learning goal” method rather
than a “performance goal.”
Contributor
Shawn Bixler, Interim Coordinator, Reading and Study Skills Division, Department of
Developmental Programs, The University of Akron, OH (sbixler@uakron.edu)
40.