Test yourself and get paid

Sometimes, taking a multiple choice test actually pays off—in cash.

At the request of the University of Colorado Regents, Director of Assessment Dr. Kenneth Wolf is administering a standardized test for seniors throughout late March and early April. UC Denver students who have completed more than 90 credit hours and volunteer to take the exam will be paid $25.

The actual test that is administered is the nonprofit Educational Testing Service's proficiency profile. Like many basic skills tests that are taken by high school students, the ETS test doesn't require any preparation whatsoever. It is used to show how students have developed throughout their college careers, and the results have no academic consequences on test takers. The same test is given to first-year students during the fall semester. Such exams are usually forced on students in the middle of class, but Wolf thinks the cash incentive alleviates the need to be coercive.

"I've considered making the test mandatory," said Wolf. "Some schools have people show up to class and say ‘You have to take this test, now!' but that's not my style."

According to Wolf, there is a variety of ways that these tests can benefit the campus. Since UCD has become a Research I university—a category given to quality research universities by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—Board of Regents members want to know how UCD compares to other competitive research schools, like UC Boulder and Colorado State University. Having good results on the test, according to Wolf, could help the school obtain more funding.

"We want good results," said Wolf. "But I'm more interested in accurate results."

Wolf believes that these tests can also help the university improve individual colleges and departments by showing how graduating students may lack skills in certain areas. With this in mind, Wolf hopes that students will take the tests seriously.

"Manipulation conditions [the student's ability to manipulate the test, or take it without trying] are a big issue," said Wolf.

However, the UCD Student Government Association also brought up other concerns regarding the accuracy of the tests. SACAB representative Carl McEncroe asked if there was going to be a way to differentiate from lower- and higher-achieving students, considering that the tests are used to represent the school as a whole and could affect funding.

"We're interested in all students," said Wolf.

Another concern raised was how standardized tests are heavily criticized for not showing students' abilities to think critically. However, Wolf said that the ETS test will not be the only way to assess students. Other tests will measure logic and reason skills as well as writing ability.

"We want our report to the regents to be nuanced and multi-dimensional," said Wolf. "We're planning on doing other tests as well—this is just the standardized test."

After the tests are completed, Wolf also plans to give students a way to know how they compare to their peers. However, the general results will be private.

For more information, contact Kenneth Wolf: kenneth.wolf@ucdenver.edu, 303-310-3034
To sign up, contact Ann Rutherford: ann.rutherford@ucdenver.edu, 303-315-2091
Tests start 2-3 p.m. Mar. 29, Lawrence Street Center Room 320. Detailed schedule posted at SGA office.