Purpose Of Test Retakes For Students

Test retakes in middle and high schools have become more popular, allowing students to retake not only final and midterm exams, but also many regular tests if they don’t get the score they want. While some parents may be confused by these decisions, the truth is that test retaking can actually impede student learning. Retaking tests may give a false impression of success, making it hard to learn from failure or understand why it’s important to put forth your best effort the first time around. With this in mind, educators must carefully consider why test retakes are bad for students and why taking a test only once should still be encouraged for all high school students– even if they think they can do better if “I retook the test”.

Teachers that like this practice believe that the retakes allow students who know the material, but struggle with test taking get another chance. Many also claim that retakes boost student retention of the material. Teachers also point out that even though it takes students longer to grasp the material and that this retake policy allows them to get a fair chance at a higher grade. Lastly, tests are anxious experiences for students and if the students have another chance they might be less anxious and will get better scores because they are able to think calmly and rationally.

Teachers and parents that dislike this practice say that the practice of retakes may encourage students to not make their best effort the first time if they know that they can have a do-over. They also think that this creates an environment where students argue with the teachers over their grades.

Many teachers’ response to this is that retakes allow the students to grasp the material and that students study more before taking the test again, but they still encourage students to be prepared the first time.

This is rooted in the way the teachers grade. Usually at the end of each unit there is a big cumulative assessment and teaching specifically for this test does not promote true learning, according to some teachers. The retake option puts the focus on the learning instead of the test.

A teacher’s retake policies vary. Some require meetings before a retake, and some allow the students to retake a slightly different test the very next day. Some teachers only offer a partial retake where only certain sections are retaken or the students are encouraged to recognize their mistakes.

Some teacher who do not allow retakes will go over the test with the class sometime after the test is graded to ensure that they understand the processes that go into the problems and have mastered the material.

Either way students need a safe place to be able to try, fail, and learn without fear of a permanent consequence. This process is more meaningful then the grade and is helped by school retake policies.

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