Factors Impacting Test Performance: SAT Ergonomics

mechnesium
Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:10:38 +0000

I can’t help but think about all of the multivariate factors that come together to influence negative test performance and, ultimately, score. It is worthy to note that people become more sensitive to their environment when such levels of concentration are required. This means that ordinary conditions - which people are exposed to everyday and are undoubtedly acclimated to - can become minor or major concerns. This analysis may seem absolutely absurd, but let’s face it, boredom gets the best of us. Let me take a look at just a few of these confounding variables when it comes to test performance/score (with brief elaboration). Not intended to be a ‘here’s what you can do to prepare’ guide, but useful insight when it comes to raising awareness about such matters. Only you know what you can handle; only you know what you can do to prepare.


Environment temperature: This is self explanatory, arguably both a physical and psychological impact. If you are not comfortable, you are probably not in full concentration; this varies from individual to individual, but it will most likely have some effect if conditions are intolerable enough for your needs.
Environment lighting: Lighting in a testing environment may have an effect on individuals exposed to levels of light that they are not typically subjected to - this is especially the case when testing in unfamiliar locations. Typically not a concern but listed for obvious reasons.
Environment odor: Face it, some places smell odd. Whether a room was just painted, or the person in front of you let a big one off, odor can no doubt detract from your concentration which can result in time lost, or in extreme cases cost you a question.
Environment noise: Whether it’s the school lawn-man mowing the grass on a sunny Saturday, roofers repairing the corner of the room that got burned down in that section of the science department building, or even a car crash that was heard a quarter-mile from impact, noise is something that cannot be overlooked - or in this case, overheard.
Environment size: Mainly a psychological affect. If you are one of a few people (and I say few because many people tend to inappropriately diagnose themselves with it) genuinely suffering from claustrophobia, this can be an issue. If you have a very large self esteem, perhaps a small room can have a negative impact on your massive demeanor.
Environment color: Mostly psychological, possibly physical (bright colors can induce the photic sneeze reflex). Maybe you ran over a cat on your way to the testing site and a bright red room with paper machete kittens hanging from the ceiling doesn’t help. Perhaps the color teal reminds you of something from your past…
Environment flooring: Some people prefer carpets, some prefer tile. What if there’s a patch of water on the floor from someone’s leaking water bottle, or maybe a bad A/C unit? You slip, hit your head on the ground, and wake up in the hospital room two days later with a diagnosis of mild damage to the frontal cortex. That may impact test performance.
Seating comfort/posture: If your seat is too small, too large, too low, too high, too saggy, too stiff, or anything that lies outside of your personal comfort level, it’s up for you to decide if it will or will not affect your level on concentration over the time frame of a few hours.
Position in environment: Either you’re near the door, or placed in the back of the room, perhaps it is an area that you are not used to sitting in. Perhaps you are easily daunted by room placement. Perhaps the back of the room is poorly lighted. Perhaps the area near the windows is unsanitary. Maybe being positioned directly under the air conditioner isn’t quite your cup of tea.
Desk layout: A possible psychological phenomenon, desk layout may have an impact on performance. It can even have a literal impact; for the academically dishonest, close desk formation can encourage cheating. If one cheats, permitting that their answers are equivalent for each question, this is a certain impact on test performance as the answers on two different test forms would be incorrectly translated from one another.
Identity of proctor: Maybe the proctor is your neighbor. Maybe the proctor is a new face. Perhaps the proctor is a favorite teacher or administrator. Perhaps they are the same bigot that surely saw to it that you did poorly in their class. Perhaps they are your mom or dad. Whoever it may be, be aware that concentration on the test is more important than the proctor pacing your desk/intently overlooking the class from their desk.
Identity of other students: Maybe there are students in the classroom with rough personalities; rowdiness, loudness, and general disorderly conduct. It is also quite possible that, by some chance, your girlfriend or boyfriend is seated in close proximity to yourself. Test performance could be severely impacted, should invalidation of the room occur at some point due to one particular person’s behavior.
Meteorological conditions: Loud thunder, streaks of lightning, hail, snow, sleet, tornadoes, and earthquakes are all in mind here. Meteorological conditions can cause substantial impact on test performance, whether the noise disrupts your concentration or whether you couldn’t make it to the testing site due to severe inclement weather.
Health of individual: If you have tuberculosis, chances are you are not going to be testing. The same goes with other severe and/or acute conditions. Physical impairments may also have an effect in some way or another, be it two broken arms or temporary blindness.
Clothing of individual: Personal comfort is always one of the most important things when it comes down to testing day. If the clothing that you are wearing is not ideal for long periods of deep and sedentary concentration, do not wear it. That simple.
Testing materials used: Either you prefer a pen or pencil for the writing portion, or the width/length/grip of the utensil you ended up with is not suitable for your needs, this is important. Poor erasers can impact scores if large amounts of smudging cause incorrect answers on the multiple choice. Be careful out there.
Presence of a clock: If you are time conscious, time spent looking at a clock or timepiece on your wrist can add up if done excessively. If you are a slow reader/bubbler/writer, it is critical that you budget your time. Every second counts.
Seriousness or lack thereof: If you do not anticipate the SAT, or do not take into account it’s importance, or perhaps you are relying on the ACT instead, this may impact score and performance.
Level of familiarity with subjects to be tested: Self explanatory (unless probability is on your side when it comes to random guessing).
Underlying personal factors: Problems at home or at school; mental or physical; tangible or intangible; these issues can be significant components when it comes to test performance and your resulting score.


*I am positive that there are MANY other factors involved: keep in mind both physical and mental hindrances. Of course, this elaboration is a bit pessimistic - there are factors that influence positive performance as well.