Student-Generated Test

Groups write test items covering recently studied grammar or vocabulary, which are then compiled into a class test that everyone takes.

Procedure

1. Ask students what grammar or vocabulary items they found most useful or important over a given period. Decide together what should be included in the test.
2. Assign each set of items to a pair or group. Ask them to prepare test items. You may provide a framework (multiple choice, cloze text), offer patterns to choose from, or give total freedom.
3. Groups complete their work in class or as homework, depending on complexity.
4. Collect the test pieces, make necessary corrections, and compile them into one comprehensive test (or use selected components). Administer to the whole class.
5. Correct and mark yourself or together with the class.

Tips

• If you don't want to evaluate individual performance, let groups work on the test together.
• Each group can administer their own section: students receive test items written by another group, complete them, and return answers to the authors for correction.
• Preparing a test requires students to check their own knowledge — it's a valuable formative assessment tool even though students helped create it.
• Lowers test anxiety and gives students ownership of the assessment process.
• May require more time than studying for a teacher-written test, but significantly increases understanding of the material.