Open Book Exams Pros and Cons for Novel Study Tests
So, your students finished reading The Tale of Despereaux, or Charlotte’s Web or Wonder and absolutely loved it! What comes next? A novel study test for comprehension, right? Well, when it comes to giving novel study tests, I ALWAYS give them as an open book test. Did you just gasp?! Hear me out & let me tell you about the pros & cons of open book exams…
What is the meaning of an open book test?
To start off on the same page, (get it ‘page’ since we’re talking about books?!) let’s define an open book test. To me, an open book test is just as it sounds. Students have full access to the novel while they are taking the test. I encourage students to keep the book handy, but only use it as necessary. Some students will never even touch the book, although they are allowed. While other students will refer back to it 3 to 4 times during a typical test to confirm their correct answers. Learning how to skim for information is an important life skill, especially for those times when Google isn’t available!
From a study from the Journal of Effective Teaching, “We assert that consistent open-book testing approaches will enhance learning and better prepare students for the real-world decision-making they will encounter. Our research approach also revealed preliminary indications that our students value their textbooks more, and used them more frequently and extensively, to prepare for class using open-book testing protocols as opposed to using traditional closed-book testing procedures.
Why are open book tests better than closed book tests?
Simply put, they test comprehension instead of just memory. Picture it, you’re a 3rd grade student who just finished reading a 259-page book, like Esperanza Rising. You sit down to take the test, confident because you read the story, enjoyed discussing it and remember a lot about it. But they you come to a question about a very specific detail and you start to question yourself.
Would you rather?
A. Be allowed to quickly flip through the book where you know where to find the answer
B. Panic as you struggle to comb through your memory of all 259 pages, even though you remember the story well!
The practice of going back to look in the book to find the answer is a necessary life-skill. As adults, we don’t expect to remember every word we ever read. Why do we expect young children to do the same? Isn’t it more important to know where to look to find the answer?
The Pros and Cons Open book Tests
Benefits of Open Book Test
#1 Test Comprehension, Not Memory: If a student didn’t actually read the book, there is no way they are going to finish it and finish the test in the allotted time. However, if they read it and simply are fuzzy on a specific detail being tested, they should be able to quickly flip to the correct point in the book and find the correct answer.
#2 Ease Test-Taking Anxiety: This article from Eastern Oregon University states the following, “The problem with closed book exams is that they instill a sense of panic into the student. Perhaps their hands begin to sweat, or their heart begins to race as they try to recall the answer to the first question on an exam worth 25 percent of their final grade. Closed book exams do not help a student who has a fear of exams. If a student knows they can turn to their book for a brief brush up, or to double-check their answers, the student will feel more at ease and will likely perform better on the exam.”
Disadvantages of open book test
#1 Length of Time Allotted: Some students may take too long looking up every single answer in the book to confirm they were correct. In that case, I would advise them to only use the open book when they were really unsure of an answer and to trust their gut on the other questions. This happened most frequently with students who would be branded as ‘perfectionists’.
#2 Students’ Reading Speed: Every students’ reading level varies of course, which may cause slower readers to have trouble utilizing the text to confirm answers. I strongly believe that open book novel tests help increase the skill of skimming and quick reading for information.
What are your favorite novel studies in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Grade?
As a 3rd grade teacher, my favorites were: Frindle By Andrew Clements, The Tale Of Despereaux & The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane By Kate DiCamillo.
My MOST favorite resources to create for teachers is novel study assessments. Not only do I get to discover and read new-to-me books, but I get to save teachers’ valuable time by creating a ready-to-print novel test. My tests are typically 4 pages long with a variety of short answer and essay questions. Tests always include an answer key (hurray for easier grading!)
Need a novel test that is not already in my Happy Teacher Happy Students TPT store? Email me your novel study assessment ideas at happyteacherhappystudents.com and I will work on it for you!
