Renee, assessments have their place in the learning and subject delivery models. The critical factor is to not focus a majority of a grade on just a few instruments. If students know they can make up for missed questions or if a bad test does not impact their grade then you can better manage the fear associated with tests. What would be wrong with a weekly assessment that does not count against a student but is used to prepare for other assessments? Practice makes perfect so by removing the fear of damaging a grade the instructor can have frequent testing but the instruments are used to enhance learning versus making up the course grade. There are many models available that can reduce the anxiety associated with tests. James Jackson