Teaching Test-Taking Skills to Elementary-Grade Students: A Meta-Analysis

An exploration of the use of eye‐gaze tracking to study problem‐solving on standardized science assessments

“…While some research has shown that differences in problem-solving can be related to test-taking skills and strategies (Scruggs et al, 1986;Mastropieri & Scruggs, 1999), of particular interest to educators are the studies that have shown differences in problem-solving behaviour related to individuals varying levels of expertise within a content domain (Chase & Simon, 1973;Chi et al, 1981;Dillon, 1985b). Research indicates that the differences in problem-solving approaches used by two different test takers likely depends on their level of knowledge and experience.…”

Methods for Improving Standardized Test Scores: Fruitful, Fruitless, or Fraudulent?

“…Indeed it is somewhat conflicting in results. Scruggs, White, and Bennion (1986) reviewed the literature and computed 65 mean effect sizes based on 24 investigations of programs that specifically taught test-taking skills. They computed separate effect sizes for methodologically adequate and inadequate studies and for criteria they categorized as achievement tests, tests of test wiseness, selfesteem, and anxiety.…”

The Effect of Training in Test Item Writing on Test Performance of Junior High Students

“…Flippo and Borthwick (1981) found similar results among elementary students trained in additional testwiseness strategies as compared to students who received extra art and library time. Scruggs, et al (1986) reviewed forty-four studies comparing test preparation with achievement and found that training in test-taking skills has limited effects on achievement scores, even though there were some differences noted among some subgroups. In contrast, Seaton (1992) detected in a meta-analysis that all subgroups can benefit from test preparation seminars, although he questioned the value of coaching for a single test.…”