ABSTRACT
Many countries require owners of cars of a certain age to have an annual or biennial test of vehicle safety.1 Before that test some motorists bring their cars for a service to check out the essentials and repair what’s broken. By doing so they feel more confident when the car is checked by vehicle safety test staff. If the car needs a service, bringing it for a vehicle safety test wastes time and money. Teachers test children to check their mastery of what’s taught. But just as doing the vehicle safety test won’t ensure the smooth running of a car, testing children alone does little to enhance learning. Like a car needs regular servicing, teaching requires assessment approaches that go beyond testing.
