Indicator 26: Testing in Mathematics and Science Classes
The use of weekly tests or quizzes by teachers provides an indication of the extent of regular monitoring of student progress, which research studies have associated with high student achievement. Weekly tests or quizzes can also provide students with an understanding of formalized tests and test settings, thus preparing them to perform well on other examinations such as national entrance or exit exams. However, as is the case with homework indicators, statistics concerning weekly mathematics and science examinations do not include information about the quality and applicability of the examinations administered or the effort and care students take in completing them.
Table 26: Percentage of 13-year-old students who took a test or quiz at least once a week,/1 by subject and country: 1991
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Country Mathematics Science ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ G-72 Canada 53 (0.9) 26 (1.1) France 64 (1.3) 47 (1.4) United States 68 (2.1) 69 (2.0) Other Hungary 17 (1.3) 27 (1.6) Ireland 19 (1.5) 18 (1.1) Israel 36 (2.2) 28 (1.9) Jordan 68 (1.5) 73 (1.8) Korea 28 (1.9) 21 (1.6) Slovenia 28 (1.5) 18 (1.0) Soviet Union (former) 52 (1.5) 88 (1.2) Spain 31 (1.7) 42 (2.6) Switzerland 40 (2.5) 18 (1.2) Taiwan 87 (1.1) 67 (1.2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: See supplemental note to Indicator 26 for details on indicator calculation for Canada, Israel, the former Soviet Union, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.
SOURCE: Educational Testing Service, International Assessment of Educational Progress, Learning Science, 1992; Learning Mathematics, 1992.
Figure 26: Percentage of 13-year-old students who took a mathematics or science test or quiz at least once a week, by selected country:* 1991
*Countries are sorted in descending order by the percentage of 13-year-olds who took a mathematics test or quiz at least once a week.
SOURCE: Educational Testing Service, International Assessment of Educational Progress, Learning Mathematics, 1992; Learning Science, 1992.
Notes on Figures and Tables
In some cases, countries limited assessments to particular geographic areas or language groups. A description of these limitations follows.
Canada, Israel, the former Soviet Union, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States
See supplemental notes for Indicator 8.