Özet:

Formative tests are used with feedback and correctional education programs to help increase student achievement. The purpose of this study is to apply formative tests at the end of every subject, to recognize students’ learning deficiencies and help them learn Biology topics. In addition, extent of formative tests for improvement of student achievement level are assessed. Experimental design was used to test the effect of monitoring tests on student achievement. This study was conducted during the first semester of the 2014/2015 academic year and applied to 9th and 10th grade students in attending a secondary school in Ankara. Before the implementation, Placement Test (SBS) data were used to show that experimental and control groups were identical. Experimental group n = 27, control group n = 28; 10th grade experimental n = 28, control n = 27, total participants n= 110. Four formative tests were administered to the experimental groups only, at the end of each topic. To measure achievement of both groups, the exam contending the same questions was administered. Exam scores of both groups showed normal distribution. SBS scores of experimental and control groups did not differ significantly (for 9th grade p = .557, for 10th grade p = .671). The results are interpreted as experimental and control groups’ achievement scores to be equal before the study. Formative tests consisting of twenty questions were prepared for experimental groups after each topic and before the exam. Formative tests were applied after each topic, questions were solved in class and feedback were given to experimental groups. In order to test the success of the experimental and control groups, average exam scores were analyzed. Significant statistical differences were found between both 9th and 10th grade of experimental and control groups concerning average exam scores (for 9th grade p < .001, for 10th grade p < .001).  Moreover high and positive correlation was found between the exam and formative test average scores of the experimental groups (9th grade r = .712, 10th grade r = .822). In conclusion, formative tests help increase student success and contribute to higher achievement scores in exams. There is a positive correlation between the students’ exam results with formative tests scores. By considering data obtained from formative tests, students’ learning deficiencies can be reduced.

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