In many ways, testing does encourage students to learn.  The added goal of a test applies pressure to a student to study.  Testing itself, is, of course, a controversial topic; nonetheless, the added study time that students devote to test preparation benefits learning.

To help de-stress testing, the 7th grade World History course grading system emphasizes studying, homework, class participation and organization, while taking the grading pressure off tests. Tests constitute 30% of the overall World History course grade; therefore, even a low score of 50% on all tests can still result in grade of 88% overall, provided that all other work is done well.

Getting 50% on tests but 100% in all other categories is rare, however, because the other categories (homework, the notebook, and class work) support the tests.  In fact, test questions are often directly taken from notebook worksheet questions.  For example:

Study Guide (Chapter 4, Lesson 3) :

The Umayyad leader who established the Islamic Empire in Spain was:  __________________  (Abd al Rahman) 

Test (Islam #3)

12.  The Umayyad leader who established the Islamic Empire in Spain was __?__

    a)  Muawiya

    b)  Abu Jafar al Mansur

    c)  Abd al Rahman

    d)  Al Hakam

    e)  Abd al Malik 

In all test-related cases, students are encouraged to use any of the following study methods for test preparation:

1.) Use flash cards for new vocabulary words and people’s names. 

2.) Use memory techniques

3.) Re-read the chapters at home.

4.) Outline chapters or take reading notes.

5.) Write a summary of the chapter and the history.

6.) Write a timeline with details and dates.

7.) Take pre-tests on ca.hss.glencoe.com

8.) Attend a pre-test study session.

Most important: Understand the information as a story.