Summary

Teaching beyond the test is a method for designing test-preparation classes in which teachers prepare students to take a test but they break out from the traditional forms of language learning, this way teachers make the learning process more meaningful. Focusing first in the abilities of students and not a lot in what is the final grade of a test in a piece of paper.

Let us understand some important points about what a teacher can do to improve the way students receive the assessment in this case the exam. As we already know an assessment is a tool that helps teachers to evaluate the ability or knowledge of students, for this reason it should be an effective process to get the convenient results. By teaching beyond the test: which is a skills-based focus, the quality of the test and content improves because this method takes away the pression of a piece of paper that serves just for grading and focuses on the abilities of the students creating an unstressed environment. The teacher develops a good concept of the test showing to students that test is merely a stepping stone on their path to success.  in the other hand as teachers it is necessary to design a more effective class, based on clearly stated goals, developing the four skills in students with essential knowledge, also we can have testing items to measure skills making the test more meaningful, in other words making authentic assessment which are assessments that are worthwhile, significant, and meaningful. For many years teachers and students lost the control of the exams, but this method measures the skills that students need and prepares them for life after de exam.

Different purposes for testing:

•          Classroom tests allow teachers to assess students’ knowledge or abilities, usually in relation to content covered in the class, and to assign grades to students.
•      Program or institutional tests are generally given for admission to special programs, for placement within programs, for monitoring students within a program, or for exiting students from a program.
•      The large-scale, standardized tests, such as the TOEFL. These tests are high stakes in that the results are often used to make decisions that can significantly impact a test-taker’s education, career, or life.

Reasons why teacher should include adequate test items in order to practice them on the class:

1.    Familiarity tends to lead to improved performance

2.    Decreased test anxiety

3.    Students develop an awareness of their strengths and weaknesses and learn how to pace themselves

Teaching Beyond the Test Activities

Closed-ended activities: these activities are effective for introducing test items and they are also appropriate for lower-level students.

Take in it to the next level: these are activities that require higher-order skills such as organizing and rephrasing.

Higher order skills: activities that require higher-order skills help them to develop abilities like analyzing and synthesizing.

Self-assessment

Having students asses their performance helps them to develop a sense of where they are and where they want to go.
Through self-assement students can: 

• Identify their own skill gaps or where their knowledge is week.
• See where to focus their attention in learning.
• Track their own progress.