Skill Application Tests
Skill application tests in an AMT (Aircraft Maintenance Technician) course are the practical and oral exams, which are administered after passing the written knowledge tests and are required for FAA certification. These tests gauge a student's ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world tasks, such as performing troubleshooting, repairs, and using technical manuals (TMs), tools, and equipment correctly.
The purpose of the practical exams is to evaluate a candidate's practical skills and ability to perform hands-on maintenance tasks.
Examples of specific content of the practical exam are as follows:
· Logbook entries,
· Riveting,
· Safety wiring
· Hydraulic lines
· Multi-meter usage
· Cotter-pin installations
· Connecting fluid lines and fittings
· Proper use of nuts, bolts, and washers
Various testing methods have their pros and cons and it's helpful to have outlined scenarios where each type is most effective.
There are many different ways to assess a students level of understanding of a subject, and using the correct type of test can help the student to demonstrate their knowledge.
multiple choice questions can help in covering more material than essay questions .
Many ways to test students
The type of test utilized will differ based on the general goals and objectives of the course and the intended application of the material for the students moving forward.
Testing should align with actual written and O&P
Teachers and Intructors have multiple ways to pull information progress through testing in different styles
It was very interesting to learn about each style of testing and how they all pull from different styles of learning.
There are various ways to assess student learning.
I believe we need to use more of all kinds of assessments. It will let students shine.
Different types of tests and their effectiveness. When to apply one test from another. How to construct a test and why tests are crucial to the learning process.
This lesson helped me to understand the different types of assessments that are available to use. These tests are more for understanding the student's comprehension of the material than just a grade. It also helps the instructor know if what they are teaching is getting through to the students.
when creating a test format for a class you should know what it is you are trying to measure. make sure its constructed fair, accurate, and allows students to demonstrate their knowledge
This module really clarified for me that assessments aren't just about assigning grades—they’re tools that help measure true understanding, identify gaps, and guide instruction. I appreciated the clear breakdown of different question formats and their strengths and limitations (John Hennings, Aidan McFall). For example, multiple-choice questions with more than one correct answer require extra care to avoid confusion and ensure fairness (Andrew Gradall).
What stood out most is the emphasis on validity and reliability (Frances Diaz, Mark Galan). Assessments must accurately measure what students are supposed to be learning—not just what’s easy to grade. That includes aligning assessments with the course objectives and ensuring they reflect both knowledge and the ability to apply skills in realistic contexts.
Another important reminder came from Katina Young’s point about choosing assessment types that give all students a meaningful chance to demonstrate what they know. This reinforced for me the importance of using a variety of assessment types—not just written tests, but also practical demonstrations, projects, and reflective writing.
I was very interested in the specific guidelines for each kind of question. Those are very useful.
This module introduced me to a variety of assessment options, and I realized that selecting the appropriate test format requires careful consideration. I need to ensure that the format I choose is fair, accurate, and provides students with a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
determining which testing method will best identify what your students have learned
I like the encouragement of variety in question type but keeping things a clear as possible, for example by using capitals and not lower case in response cues.
I appreciated the insight that multiple choice with 2 or more correct answers effectively makes it a series of true and false statements instead, with all their pros, cons, and needed careful writing techniques included.
