Test taking strategies among adult learners / Azmila Mustafa

The B. Ed. TESL Out Campus Programme and Distance Learning Programme consists of adult learners of different ages taking part-time degree in B. Ed. TESL. Most of them are working and they have to balance their time between job, class hour, family commitment and social obligations. Thus, these adult learners experienced a certain level of anxiety especially when facing tests and examinations. Individual differences in term of ability level, age, experience and attitudes also called for different preferences for methods of instruction and different strategies in learning styles and preparation for tests and examinations.

The purpose of the study is to determine the strategies adopted by adult learners in preparing for tests. Data for this study was only gathered from questionnaires. The results of the study indicated that there are many gaps between adult learners from Open University Malaysia, Kelantan (OUM) Distance Learning Programme and from Universiti Teknologi Mara Terengganu (UiTM), Dungun Campus. A great emphasis on class attendance is stressed on UiTM students compared to OUM students. This is because OUM students have to attend the class twice in a fortnight while for UiTM students, it is compulsory for them to attend the class every weekend.

The study also reveals that high number of respondents from both universities experienced a high level of anxiety when preparing for tests. Yet, they do have a positive attitude towards tests and assume that test is very important that can help them to prepare for their final examinations. Even though the adult learners do put an effort in preparing for tests and examinations, it is observed that they still need some guidance and assistance especially in adopting learning
strategies.