Unlocking Student Potential: Pre-Tests and Post-Tests

As educators, our goal is to help students build academic skills and grow in confidence at school and beyond. To achieve this goal, we need a clear understanding of where each student is at in their learning journey to monitor their progress. One way we do this is with pre-tests and post-tests. 

Pre-Tests: These diagnostic assessments are non-graded evaluations conducted at the beginning of a learning segment. They help determine what students already know about a subject matter.   

Post-Tests: These are also non-graded evaluations; however, they are given at the end of a learning segment. They evaluate whether students have gained knowledge as mapped out in their Learning Plan and identify what accommodations educators need to make. Post-tests reveal how much each student’s knowledge has grown and the extent of their improvement.  

Why Pre-Tests and Post-Tests Matter 

When used together, pre-tests and post-tests are powerful tools for educators and students. Here are three key reasons why they are essential in our RISE One-to-One learning support:   

1. Pretests Establish a Baseline of Student Knowledge. Pretests identify a student’s prior knowledge, providing instructors with a clear guide to plan future sessions effectively and set up meaningful learning goals. By understanding what students know at the outset, instructors can tailor their lesson plans to address gaps and build on existing knowledge, ensuring that each student receives personalized and targeted instruction.  

2. Post-tests Measure Academic Progress. Post-tests offer teachers real-time progress monitoring, allowing them to adjust instruction to better meet students’ academic needs. This continuous feedback loop ensures that teaching methods are effective and responsive to student progress.  

3. Enhancing Student Engagement and Motivation. Seeing a student’s progress can be a powerful motivator, keeping them invested in learning. This tangible evidence of their improvement fosters a sense of accomplishment. This growing confidence is crucial for neurodivergent students, who may face additional challenges in their learning journey.  

Pre-tests and post-tests are not just assessments but essential tools that guide our educational approach and measure student growth. By using these assessments, we can tailor our support to meet the unique needs of each student, ensure they are on the right path, and celebrate their achievements. LDS is committed to providing the best possible support to unique learners, and pre-tests and post-tests help us make this happen. Let’s continue to unlock every student’s potential and help them build academic skills and confidence. 

– Sofia Lopez Nakashima, Senior Manager, Assessments

LDS is a community of dedicated professionals who write collaboratively. We recognize the contribution of unnamed team members for their wisdom and input.