TUTMathematics Basic Skills Test & Remedial Instruction

Tuomas MyllykoskiResearch Assistant

Department of Mathematics

Basic Skills Test • The Basic Skills Test is organized at the

beginning of every fall semester• Approximately 700 students take the test• The test is carried out in a computer class• The length of the test is 45 minutes

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Basic Skills Test • The test contains 16 problems from eight

different areas of high school mathematics, two problems from each

• The problems are randomly generated and the answers evaluated by using the STACK system

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Basic Skills Test • Students can use pen and paper to solve the

problem, after which they enter the solution into the computer program

• The STACK system evaluates the answer• Students have 3 attempts for each problem

(excluding syntax errors)

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Basic Skills Test • Students are divided into five possible

categories by a self-profiling question that the students answer at the beginning of the test

• The possible categories are:• Surface oriented learners, Peer learners,

Students needing support, Independent learners, Skillful students

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Basic Skills Test • In 2011, 700 students took the test

• Average score was 9.07 / 16• 172 students were directed to Remedial Instruction

• In 2012, 710 students– Average score was 8.91 / 16– 163 students were directed to Remedial Instruction

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Remedial Instruction • Students who do not pass the Basic Skills

Test are directed to Mathematics Remedial Instruction (about 20 % annually)

• The Instruction contains revising and training exercises which are carried out using Math-Bridge

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Remedial Instruction

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Remedial Instruction • Contains 10 different areas with 6-11

problems for each area• Unlimited number of answer attempts• Independent performance, time limit for the

Instruction is four weeks• An optional manner of performance for the

Basic Skills Test

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Remedial Instruction • Math-Bridge collects log data from users

(such as visited pages, number of attempts on a problem, viewed example answers, time between clicks etc.)

• This data can be further used to study and develop university studies and teaching

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Summary • The Basic Skills Test is used to assess new

students’ abilities in mathematics• Those who do not pass are directed to the

Remedial Instruction program• After the Remedial Instruction, the new

engineering students are better prepared for the challenges of our math courses

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Thank you!