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Using Quizzes Before Class, Labs, and Exams to Improve Learning: 5 Practical Tips

Written by Ellen Ovenden | Jul 18, 2026 5:11:55 PM

Students who take frequent, low-stakes quizzes may have more than twice the odds of passing a course

The value of an assessment depends on where it’s used. A short quiz can confirm pre-class preparation, reduce lab errors, reinforce a difficult concept, or reveal a learning gap early while there's still time to address it.

Here are five practical ways to use quizzes across a STEM course.