Kevin, This is a perfect opportunity, when we know little about students prior knowledge. I look at the course objectives, select between 15 to 20 questions that I'd expect these students to know when they were through with my class, and see how many are fairly clear on some of the material. Greater emphasis can be given in the class to needed instruction, and less emphasis to areas students are already familiar with. I also don't grade the test. Therefore, students are more willing to try their best if they know their performance won't affect their grade. Barry Westling