Verification of a Model of Test-Taking Behavior of High School Seniors

Abstract

Thirty-six test-wise and 41 test-naive high school seniors were individually tested using a 14-item test designed to assess their abilities to apply selected test-wiseness principles (Millman, Bishop, & Ebel, 1965) according to a proposed model of test-taking behavior. Students’ approaches to their answers were recorded and analyzed. Overall, the results (a) suggest that before students can profitably apply test-wise skills, they must first possess knowledge about the content of the stem and/or options to eliminate an option or options or to take advantage of item cues and (b) support the proposed model of test-taking behavior.