What to Do When Students Finish Testing Early
- Dr. Nadine O'Garro
- May 1
- 2 min read
SuperTeachers,
There’s no need to panic when students finish testing before time is up. Whether it’s state testing season or a class-level assessment, it’s going to happen ... students will finish early.
I remember, early in my career, trying to “fix” this by making my assessments long enough to take the full period.
Rookie mistake.
Here’s why:
Grading overload: Unless you enjoy drowning in papers, stop making assessments so long that you resent grading them.
Quantity ≠ Quality: More questions don’t necessarily mean better assessments. Thoughtful, aligned, and concise tests yield the best insight into student learning.
The vibe shift: When a test drags on because its too long? Students groan and then protest. I should’ve taken the groans as a clue… but I didn’t, early in my career, I had no clue about the signals (data points) students provide before they stop working with you.
Here's a Smarter Approach to Assessments
Keep it concise & aligned:
Exit Tickets: 2–3 short-answer questions (because student responses provide the best data for instructional decisions).
Quizzes: 5–7 questions, mixing multiple-choice, short answer, and written responses.
End-of-Unit Assessments: 10 well-constructed questions—enough to assess learning without the unnecessary bulk.
Too often, when we pull in extra “better” questions, we unintentionally lower rigor and misalign our assessments. Stick with the resources already built for success!
Use the best resources (without reinventing the wheel!):
Your assigned curriculum is already aligned with your grade level standards, use the provided assessment questions.
Released state test items give insight into the rigor and format of grade level questions. Be sure students opportunities to answer questions directly for the state test throughout the school year.
If you’re looking to refine your assessment strategies, we go deep into this work in our coaching community.
This August, the Academy is launching a 1-year virtual residency for K-12 teachers, a space to sharpen your assessment practices, build student-centered instruction, and elevate your teaching.
If you’re ready to make strategic shifts in your classroom, let’s connect!
Drop a ✏️ in the comments if you’re ready to assess smarter, not harder!
In partnership,
~ the Academy
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