Teaching to the Test

Educational systems using standardized tests generally induce a variety of adaptive practice strategies to improve student achievement. These are commonly known as teaching to the test. Most strategies lead to a prioritization of test-relevant subjects and, within these subjects, to an exaggerated focus on test-relevant content. The overall result is a better achievement when tested but a general disregard of higher-level-thinking skill acquisition. A number of strategies at the institutional and personal level can contribute to closing the gap between teaching to the test and the general aims of education and standardized testing in a specific country or region.