Positive Testing Experience

If you've been reading our blog regularly you've heard a lot about
cheating and the general difficulties of administering tests in
Mozambique. While testing hasn't been all bad, we are pleased to
report a very positive experience we had giving our students oral
tests. Due to some of the previous frustrations with written testing
and scheduling issues due to finals being held three weeks before the
end of the trimester, we decided to experiment with oral tests.
Students were very excited by the idea and even applauded the
announcement. Since every indoor space at school is continuously in
use, we took students outside one by one and quized them, often
creating small crowds of spectating students, teachers, and
passers-by, which be had to periodically shew away so our kids
wouldn't get too nervous. When it rained we had to commandeer part of
the computer lab or take shelter under the roof eaves in the outdoor
walkway. Many students with low literacy performed much better on this
type of test, showing us that they really had learned something in
class. And best of all, it was virtually impossible for them to cheat
and we had no paperwork to grade at home!