According to the ACEN Glossary, High Stakes Testing is the use of a single test or examination (written, electronic, or demonstration) to determine an important outcome, such as a student passing a course or graduating.
The use of high stakes testing should be based on current evidence and best teaching/instructional practices; high-stakes testing is not a best educational practice and should not replace other faculty-developed evaluation methods specific to the program’s curriculum. Third-party testing products should be used only for the purposes and within the guidelines recommended by the developer.
Q: A program requires students to meet a benchmark score on a standardized exam offered in the final semester to graduate?
A: This is considered high-stakes testing. This is a single examination where the score determines if students are permitted to graduate.
Q: A program requires students to meet a benchmark score on a standardized exam offered in the final semester to graduate? However, they have three attempts to achieve the benchmark, are required to remediate, and historically all students have been successful by the third attempt.
A: This is also considered high-stake testing. Despite multiple attempts, this is considered a single exam, and the policy would prevent the student from graduating if they don’t meet the benchmark.
Q: A program utilizes a standardized exam in the final semester that counts as 50% of the course grade?
A. This could be considered high stakes testing. If the weight of the score on this exam could cause a student to fail the course regardless of the scores on other course evaluation methods.
Q: A program is administering a dosage calculation exam that students are required to pass? Students are provided remediation and have three opportunities to pass the exam.
A: This is a patient safety consideration and would not be high-stakes testing according to the ACEN definition of high-stakes testing.
Q: A program has skills check offs that students are required to pass to progress in the program? Students have more than one opportunity to pass the check off.
A: This is a patient safety consideration and would not be high stakes testing according to the ACEN definition of high stakes testing.
Q: A program utilizes standardized testing in all semesters? One of the standardized exams is counted as a unit test score for grade calculation.
A: This is not considered high stakes testing if the weight of this exam is consistent with other exams in the course.
Q: A program requires students to achieve a passing score on the final Clinical Evaluation Tool in a course?
A: This is a patient safety consideration and would not be high stakes testing according to the ACEN definition of high-stakes testing.
Q: A program requires students to take a standardized exam offered in the final semester? Students are required to complete remediation for any areas on the exam that do not meet the benchmark.
A: This is not considered high stakes testing, if completion of the remediation activities is all that is required.
Q: What is the impact of high stakes testing on students?
A: High-stakes testing can create undo stress and pressure for students. This pressure can affect student performance and well-being and influence educational outcomes and future opportunities. In addition, standardized exit examinations are intended to be a predictor of first-time NCLEX® success and may provide aggregate data for program evaluation as well as information for individual students to prepare for the licensure examination. Standardized exit examination should not be used as a tool for “weeding out” individuals who may not pass the NCLEX®.
Q: What is the impact of high stakes testing for nursing programs?
A: If students are successful in all courses and assignments in a nursing program and then fail to achieve an expected score on a standardized examination, the faculty should assess the program policies, curriculum, and resources, to better understand how to support student learning, performance, and preparation for practice.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.
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