ROLE OF TEST CONTROL IN STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM AT TECHNICAL HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The article deals with the role of test control in the students' knowledge assessment system at technical higher educational institutions. Its basic concepts, definition of the notion of test, place and role of testing in the process of controlling quality education are determined in the present research. Different approaches to the classification of tests, principles and criteria of their structuring have been analyzed. The methodology of test control implementation in the process of students' knowledge assessment at technical higher educational institutions has been investigated. An experimental study of the use of test control compared with other forms of control of students' knowledge has been conducted. The second and third year students of Odessa State Academy of Technical Regulation and Quality have been involved in the study. The aim of the study was to determine the optimum form of control of the knowledge of technical subjects. It was assumed that the data about knowledge assessment with the help of solving tasks and the answers to theoretical questions (traditional form) in CG (control group) and answers to the control testing in EG (experimental group) would vary. A significant difference in the study between the high level of knowledge on the comparative stage of the experiment (34% in EG and 26% in CG); sufficient (36% in EG and 24% in CG); average (20% in EG and 30% in CG) and low (30% in EG and 20% in CG) has been observed. The data give reason to claim that the result of control of the knowledge really depends on the type of control. Results of the study showed the need for further development, research and implementing the system of testing into practice of technical higher educational institutions. It has been proved that the pedagogical testing shows objective level of students' educational achievements, provides improvement of organizational and management activities and management of quality of higher education under the condition of the systematic usage of pedagogical assessment in educational practice as a teaching method and a factor of personal development of students at all stages of education. The use of testing as control means over technical higher educational institutions educational process promotes activation of teaching and cognitive activity and professional self improvement. However, it is important to take into account that students and teachers do not have a clear idea of didactic opportunities and qualimetric potential of testing and as a result, the use of tests in modern higher educational institutions is infrequent and thus ineffective.