CSI: New York : a study of the effects of Crib Sheets on the Math Test Preparation of College Students.

Abstract

This study examines the effects of a well thought-out crib sheet and how it influences test grades. A "Crib Sheet, " also known as a "Cheat Sheet, " is a test-taking aid in the form of a sheet of paper or note card. The students are allowed to place any information of their choice on the crib sheet, which can then be used on an exam or quiz. Students from three different classes were told by their respective teachers that they would be allowed to use a crib sheet on their next exam. The students were also informed that they could fill out an optional questionnaire following the exam on how they felt about crib sheets. The crib sheets were scored by a set rubric and compared with the test scores. On average, a crib sheet score did not have a high correlation to test score. However, for students who suffer from high anxiety, having a well thought-out crib sheet significantly contributed to a good test score.