Hard Skills Tests for Teachers: How to Measure What Students Know
Assessing students’ hard skills is one of the most time-consuming and difficult tasks teachers must perform on a regular basis. Luckily, there are many ways to test hard skills more efficiently, so you can spend more time with your students discussing and practicing the skills they need the most. Read on to find out how to do just that!
What are hard skills? + examples
Hard skills are tangible skills that students learn in school and on the job. Some hard skill examples include math facts, grammar knowledge, typing speed, tool proficiency, and computer programming knowledge. When you write your resume or search for a job online, it is sometimes important to list hard skill qualifications in addition to soft skill qualifications.
The primary benefit of practice tests
Practice tests are a great way to measure what students know. They can help you assess a student's understanding of hard skills like math and science, but they also cover soft skills like writing, speaking, and reading comprehension. That way, you can both find out who your top academic performers are and identify the kids who might need extra help in class so that they'll be prepared for future work.
Ask multiple choice questions
Hard skills are a type of knowledge and skill that can be easily observed. These skills are often what employers look for on a resume and are the type of knowledge that can be easily tested with a multiple choice question. For example, if you ask students the answer to a Pythagorean question, they will have to answer with an answer option. If they answered correctly, then they have demonstrated hard skills as it relates to math.
Want to try out multiple choice questions for testing hard skills? Get the pre-made template!
Put time pressure into tests
Hard skills tests are designed in order to measure what students know. You should consider adding tests that put time pressure on students. This will help with measuring hard skills because they are being tested under time pressure and they need to be able to process information quicker.
Include low-level recall questions
The best way to see how hard skills are being learned is by asking low-level recall questions. Low-level recall questions are easy enough that most people can answer them, but they still require some background information to answer correctly.
Challenge the students to summarize your lesson
Your students' hard skills can be tested by giving them an assignment where they must summarize specific details from your lesson. By the end of the lesson, everyone will have a full summary of all the necessary information for the topic.
Incorporate open-ended questions
Open-ended questions are a great way to test hard skills. They allow students to demonstrate their proficiency in various areas, but they also require them to think critically and communicate what they know. It's a win-win!
All the examples given above are testable through our hard skills template! Including all the different testing methods mentioned above. Enjoy exploring what we've got in store for you.
Anouk Baltus
Anouk’s passion for presenting started when she was very young: from voluntarily giving presentations in primary school to winning a speaking award with a self-written and presented speech. This adoration comes to life while working for Sendsteps. A passion for giving and writing speeches turned into writing blogposts about these subjects to help others find their passion in presenting.