A formative case study on test performance of elementary school students between morning and afternoon sessions

Avine Maharaj; Sandhi Maharaj

Authors

Avine Maharaj Siam Technology College
Sandhi Maharaj Education, Siam Technology College

Keywords:

test performance, time of day, morning tests, afternoon tests, elementary students, CEFR, educational assessment, Thailand, test timing, student performance, optimal test timing

Abstract

This formative research study explores the potential impact of test timing on the performance of elementary school students in Thailand. The study investigates whether the time-of-day influences test results by examining performance differences on a multiple-choice grammar test administered at 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Conducted with a group of 5^th grade students, the research employs quantitative methods (paired sample t-test) to identify the optimal time for test administration to achieve the best student outcomes. The results of our study reveal significant differences in test performance between morning and afternoon test sessions based on the time of day, suggesting that morning assessments may yield better outcomes for elementary level students, compared to the afternoon. These findings can inform educational policies and practices, promoting optimal learning and assessment conditions.

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