How to Make Tests Fun
Tests are often a student's least favorite school activity. But, there are a few techniques a teacher can use to help make tests more fun. With the right attitude, activities and atmosphere, your classroom can become a place where tests are fun and students actually look forward to them. Try these techniques to turn your students into enthusiastic test-takers.
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Turn it into a game. Software that's widely available online can help your students look forward to the challenge of preparing for and taking tests. Games modeled after popular game shows can make testing fun, reminding your students of the shows they've watched on TV. Other fun games can also motivate your students to do their best. Some websites that provide these games are listed in the Resources section of this article.
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Make it a team effort. Tests seem so much easier and more fun when students don't have to face them alone. Allow them to work in groups, helping one another and working together for a group grade. An added benefit of this method is that it will help your students learn collaboration skills.
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Give prizes to everyone for working hard to take the test. While presenting the better prizes to those who score higher, give everyone something nice, including consolation prizes to those students who tried but didn't quite make it. This will give your students positive feelings about tests and make them look forward to trying again next time.
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Reward students for beating their own prior test scores, when tests must be given individually. They'll feel much better about taking tests and have more fun than they would if their grades were compared to those of other students. Be sure to give them lots of positive reinforcement when they match or beat their previous scores and plenty of encouragement when they don't.
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Offer special prizes at the end of the term for students whose grading on tests has steadily or substantially improved since the term began. Announce your plan to do this early in the term so they'll be motivated to improve and have plenty of time to work on it. Your students will find it fun to challenge themselves to gradually increase their scores. You might also try doing this in the middle of the term to keep their motivation high.
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Help your students feel better about tests by giving them fun quizzes every so often that are ungraded. Encourage them to prepare for these quizzes, and for tests as well, by studying together in groups. You might even set aside some class time specifically for this activity. Have them practice by quizzing each other.
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Allow ample time for your students to complete their written tests. This will eliminate anxiety that can be caused by feeling rushed. Some of the best students are more exacting and therefore work more slowly than other students. If you want tests to be fun for your students, they need to feel as if they have enough time to do their very best.
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