When should pre-test data be gathered?

At pre-test students are generally motivated to engage testing with reasonable levels of effort, so pre-test data can be gathered by testing entering students as early in the instructional program as possible, ideally in the first session if not prior to the first session.  Pre-testing the entire group of entering students is optimal.  However, a representative sampling of individuals may be sufficient for aggregate pre-test to post-test group comparison.  Because a less than representative sampling can result in misleading aggregate data, permitting individuals to self-select into or out of pre-testing (or post-testing) is not recommended.  Contact Insight Assessment educational testing specialists to discuss alternative approaches to the timing and gathering of pre-test data.