The Exam-A-Day Procedure Improves Performance in Psychology Classes

Abstract

Students in 4 classes had a short exam at the start of every class. Grades were significantly better than in previous classes where the same material was taught but with only 4 exams, and there were fewer withdrawals from the exam-a-day classes. Students taught with the exam-a-day procedure also performed better on a retention test than did students from classes taught using less frequent exams. Responses to anonymous questionnaires administered in all 4 classes indicated that most students believed having an exam every day led to more studying and better learning than in their other classes and that they liked the procedure.