Chad,
Understood, and no one is suggesting that pretesting become a standard or frequent activity. I use them ocassionaly, when I feel it will benefit me in planning. One use mid course is for a mid-term exam review, sort of like a "toe in the water" for what the test may bring, and assist the student in their personal preparation. But like any tool, it should be reserved for when it needed, and not routinely, necessarily.
Barry Westling
