I have always said you learn three times… before the test, during the test, and after the test. The after the test part is crucial since math builds on itself. As we prepare for algebra state testing, my colleague and I devised a different way to learn after the test. This started when we got a new online testing platform in our district and it is not easy to “give” students their tests back and go over them. In the past, we would hand back paper tests and let the students ask questions, or with certain online programs, we would make a simple click to reveal questions and answers. Many times the people asking questions when we “go over the test” are the ones who got only a few wrong. Teenagers don’t want to ask questions, especially not in front of each other.

With our new online testing platform, it is very easy to see which questions were “most missed”. My colleague puts together a “Most Missed Quiz” and we assign it to our students. Here’s how it works.

1. Students “take” the Most Missed Quiz (usually about 10 questions, 10-20 minutes) but they do not hit submit.
2. After my timer goes off, they confer with their table mates for about 5-10 minutes but do not hit submit. No one knows the correct answers, but, as they discuss, argue, and explain, they may change their answers at this time if they wish. These conversations are amazing to witness.
3. After my timer goes off again, I project the questions and lead a robust discussion. If they’re paying attention, everyone should know all of the answers after about 10 minutes. But, I do not circle any answers on the board or flash an answer key. They have to pay attention. Then they hit submit. The online program allows them to see their results instantly.

You would think that everyone in the class would score a 100 on their Most Missed Quiz. But they don’t. However, days we do most missed are still some of my favorite because students are so invested in their learning.

NOTE: We don’t have time to do this after every major assessment, just a few comprehensive ones as we lead up to the algebra state test.

In AP Calculus and AP Statistics I don’t do “most missed” with them — we still use paper / pencil tests because their end of course exam is still paper / pencil. Those students must come to my classroom before or after school and do “Test Reconciliation” where they sit with my test (answer key / solutions) and their test and reconcile the differences for themselves. That is the subject of another blog post.