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Most tests actually check what your students don’t know rather than what they do (unfortunately this is the very nature of most testing). However, it doesn’t need to be like this. Here is an idea to make the whole process far more useful.
Divide your students into small groups (between 3 and 5 students is best).
Ask the students to look back over what they have been learning (you might want to set a time limit).
Then, ask the groups to write a test for the other students. The tests can then be exchanged and each group try another test. Once the tests have been done the original group can mark it.
Finally, collect all the tests in and take a look at them – particularly at the questions, not just the answers.
Oops!
Make a note of 8 sentences that contain mistakes that your students make – these can be from written work or from when they speak. You will need two pieces of paper (for larger classes you may need more).
On one piece write down the eight sentences, but correct 4.
On the other piece of paper write down the same eight sentences, but correct the four sentences that on the first piece of paper were left incorrect.
Now divide your class into two groups and give each group one of the pieces of paper.
Ask the students to work in their groups and decide which sentences are right and which are wrong.
Tell the students to correct the sentences that are wrong. The students should make their own copies of the sentences.
Next, put the students into pairs – so they are working with someone from the other group – and compare their answers.
Finally, collate and discuss as a class.
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