Background Essay: Utilizing Right and Wrong Answers

Sometimes students don’t fully grasp a lesson. Tests and other assessments can help gauge what's not understood. Students can also assess their own knowledge during review of a test.

Testing can inform an instructor about which parts of his method worked and which did not. It can also show whether there were added benefits to the lesson. For instance, an instructor may not be aware that he has taught material beyond what was originally planned. This additional learning might increase student knowledge—or increase student confusion about the lesson's key objectives.

Properly calibrated tests can determine whether the lesson was successfully taught. If the tests indicate otherwise, the instructor can consider redesigning and adjusting the lesson.