Is testing just a memory test?

Post date: May 27, 2018 2:07:45 PM

By: Kennadey Schroeder

In each school district, that district is bound to encounter a quiz or test. In any class or any grade, receiving a test is normal for any student in the MHS district. Whether it is cramming for a ninth grade English test or an eleventh grade chemistry test, when teachers give students a test, they are mostly looking to see if students can figure out how to do a problem or certain questions or even to see how fast we can learn. Has any teacher really noticed if their tests are actually trying to see if students can figure that problem out, or is the test like a memorization game? In some cases, students remember things right before the test, but when looking at it, they go blank. When discussing whether tests are memorization or if they are just learning skills for students, there will always be two opinions.

Hanson believes that testing is a mix of memorization and learning skills. “I believe that tests should require the use of material that needed to be memorized, such as formulas, but then require students to apply what they know to analyze and solve problems. I do not like to, for the most part, test that students have simply memorize things. I am more concerned that they can use what they have learned.” Hanson is a math teacher, so when studying for one of her exams, what is the best method of study? Do you memorize what you need to learn, or do you wing it because math revolves around formulas? Memorization of formulas will help students a tremendous amount. Hanson reflected on how she felt that students could benefit from memorizing the information given to them, “No. I believe that there are things that need to be memorized, such as formulas or types of angles, but using that knowledge, students should be able to think through and complete the problems that are asked. If students only memorize how to certain problem, then they are not think about the math they are doing, they are simply completing steps. My goal is for my students to think about and understand what they are doing.”

Everyone can look at a test and go completely blank about a question or problem, but students never hear any teacher claim they go blank. When asked if Mrs. Hanson has ever gone blank on a test or quiz, she stated with “I have felt this way regarding certain topics, but never an entire quiz or test. I can't remember the topic right now, but in one of my economics classes in college, I forgot an entire section that we were being tested on, but I was able to answer the remainder of the test. I also used what I did know to try to attempt the problems that I had forgotten. It happens. That is one of the reasons that I allow students to retake their quizzes.” Every teacher worries about the students that seem to fall behind other students, when asked if she worries for kids who can't memorize the certain curriculum. She said by saying “First, I don't think an entire has to be memorized. As for students that struggle with memorizing the content that is necessary. I try to offer suggestions.” She also told her geometry classes that one way she knows formulas so good is “One way that was just discussed in your 7th period geometry class today was why I write the formula every time I do a problem. If you write the formula every time you use it, which would be numerous before a test, a student is much more likely to remember it. I have also had students make flash card to help with content, such as definitions that have to be memorized.”

All in all no matter if the students believe that the tests are testing memorization and not knowledge, it helps give the teacher an idea of where we are all at with a lesson or if they are teaching too fast.