The Intent of The Test

What's the answer? Better than that, what's the question? Remember the days of being in a classroom sitting face to face with a test that could make or break you? How well you answered, how well you recalled and applied what's been taught would determine whether or not you would move on or be held back. Assessments can be critical. There was a time when I thought exams were given so the teacher would know who was dumb and who was smart, or who to pass or fail. So if I passed a test...great. If I failed a test, oh well, on to the next one. Now I know better. 15 years of being an elementary school teacher has taught me the intent of the test. When I give a test, I pretty much know who will and will not pass before I ever hand that test out. How could that be? Because I know my students well and because when I introduce and overview lessons with them, I am already taking into account each child's response. When I walk the class and interact with the kids, I'm surveying strengths and weaknesses. It's not by accident when I question a child although they never raised their hand to be called on. If a child gets invited to my round table for a one one one session, it's for a reason. So when the set time comes and the district pacing guide requires us to move on to the next objective and I have to assess, likely the assessment will tell me what I already know. Little Johnny will need some more one on one time with this skill. Little Susie knows the content better than I do. So then why test? Good question. The test verifies for the student his/her strengths or weaknesses. When a student gets something right, they need to know that their thinking was on point. When a student gets something wrong, they need to know that they got it wrong and more importantly, they need to know how to change their thinking. So I tell my students all the time, it doesn't mean anything to know you got a 100, 90, or 50 unless you pay attention to how you were thinking and listen for how your thinking needs to change. That's where the power of the assessment lies. That F that you made on exam could be a life catapulting F if you pay attention to the results of that test and listen to the instructor on how to change your thinking. Wow. I know that's a long prelude to the point, but stay with me I'm at the home stretch. As Christians, we are very familiar with the idea of God testing us. The confusion I think comes in on our understanding of the intent of the test. The prevalent misunderstanding is that God gives us tests to see how well we will handle them. That just doesn't make sense, though. The God we serve is the beginning and the end. This is the same God that knew us before we were ever formed in our mothers' wombs. Why would such a God need a test to show Him what we are going to do?  He already knows us better than we know ourselves. No, that's not the intent of His tests. God assesses us for us to get a  better picture of ourselves. When he puts us in trying situations, it gives us a snapshot of our own growth or lack thereof. If we pass His tests, great! If we don't pass the tests, it could still be great if we pay close attention to the Instructor and learn how to change our thinking. We all have areas in our lives that we are tired of being held back in: careers, finances, diet, relationships, etc. The only way to finally be promoted is to stop focusing on the fact that we keep getting it wrong and start seeking out insight on WHY we're getting it wrong? What do we need to do differently? God is our teacher. He already knows we need more one on one time at His roundtable, but He needs us to know it too. That way we'll be more attentive students when he tells us where our thinking went wrong. You know that teacher you had? The teacher who always said, "Failure is not an option." Well God's got that teacher beat. He already has your cap and gown waiting in the wings for you. Listen to him. Learn from him. He is compelling you to pass. It's graduation time.

Prayer: Lord, you know us down to the very number of hairs on our heads. Help us to know ourselves as you know us and help us to get to know you better each day. You have already established a purpose for each of us and our contentment is contigent upon fulfilling our purpose. So we pray that you will keep strengthening  and compelling us to be good students. Give us eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that understand. May we study to be approved in your sight.