Suggestion 117. Give a diagnostic test at the begging of the semester

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Give personal help to students having difficulty

• Relate to students as individuals

• Know what knowledge and skills students bring into your course

Giving a diagnostic test at the beginning of the semester.

One biochemistry teacher frequently gives a diagnostic test covering knowledge and skills prerequisite to the course. The test, which is given in the first week, is not graded. "Its sole purpose is to help me identify those students who need extra help so I can begin working with them early in the course. The results are shared with the individual students."

"Students need to recognize their weaknesses and begin to correct them if they are to succeed in the course. But they have to be given the means for correcting deficiencies. I meet with those students whose preparation is inadequate and assign them special problem sets on a regular basis."

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  Courses with prerequisites
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

Next suggestion