Retest Management

Scheduling and managing retest attempts for failed tests

Retest Management

When students fail a test, they need an opportunity to retest. Zion tracks the full retest workflow from scheduling through completion, with configurable attempt limits.

Understanding Retests

When Retests Occur

A retest is needed when:

• Student scores below the pass threshold
• Grades 1-4: Score <90%
• Grades 5-12: Score <80%

Retest Limits

Default Configuration:

• Maximum 3 attempts per test (including original)
• Configurable per school in settings
• System enforces limits automatically

Retest Flow

1. Original Test Failed: Score below threshold
2. Retest Scheduled: Date set for retry
3. Student Studies: Reviews material before retest
4. Retest Taken: Student attempts test again
5. Score Entered: Linked to original attempt
6. Pass or Repeat: Continue until pass or limit reached

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Viewing Failed Tests

Access Failed Tests List

1. Navigate to Grading in the sidebar
2. Click Retests submenu
3. View list of failed tests

Failed Tests Display

Each failed test shows:

Field	Description
Student	Name and grade level
PACE	Subject and PACE number
Score	Original failing score
Pass Threshold	Required passing score
Attempts	Current attempt count
Max Attempts	Maximum allowed
Status	Needs scheduling / Scheduled / Completed

Filtering Options

• By Centre: View specific learning centre
• By Status: All / Needs Scheduling / Scheduled / Completed
• By Date Range: Original test date range

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Scheduling a Retest

1. Locate Failed Test

   Find the failed test in the retests list

2. Click Schedule Retest

   Opens the scheduling dialog

3. Select Date

   Choose a future date for the retest

4. Confirm

   Retest is scheduled and tracked

Scheduling Rules

• Future Dates Only: Cannot schedule for past dates
• School Days: Consider scheduling on school days
• Study Time: Allow adequate time for review

After Scheduling

• Status changes to “Scheduled”
• Scheduled date displayed
• Visible in supervisor’s upcoming retests view

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Entering Retest Scores

When a student takes their retest:

1. Navigate to Retests

   Go to Grading → Retests

2. Find Scheduled Retest

   Locate the retest (filter by “Scheduled” status)

3. Click Enter Score

   Opens retest score entry form

4. Enter New Score

   Input the retest score (0-100)

5. Submit

   Score is linked to original attempt

What Happens After Entry

If Passed:

• Retest marked complete
• Student achieves PACE mastery
• No further retests needed

If Failed (Attempts Remaining):

• Attempt counter increments
• Can schedule another retest
• Process repeats

If Failed (Max Attempts Reached):

• Student has exhausted attempts
• May need alternative intervention
• Consult with administration

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Attempt Tracking

Viewing Attempt History

For any failed test, view all attempts:

1. Click on the failed test row
2. View attempt history section
3. See each attempt with:
   • Attempt number
   • Date taken
   • Score achieved
   • Pass/Fail status

Attempt Linking

All retests link to the original attempt:

• original_attempt_id references first test
• Attempt chain maintains history
• Full picture available for analysis

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Canceling a Retest

If a scheduled retest needs cancellation:

1. Find Scheduled Retest

   Locate in the retests list

2. Click Cancel

   Opens confirmation dialog

3. Provide Reason

   Explain why canceling (optional but recommended)

4. Confirm Cancellation

   Retest removed from schedule

After Cancellation

• Status changes to “Cancelled”
• Can schedule new date if needed
• Cancellation recorded in audit log

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Pending Retests View

For Supervisors

See upcoming retests for your students:

1. Navigate to Grading → Retests
2. Filter by “Scheduled” status
3. See list of upcoming retests with dates

Planning Your Week

Use the pending retests view to:

• See which students have retests coming
• Prepare test materials in advance
• Remind students to study
• Schedule adequate supervision time

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Configuring Retest Limits

Administrators can adjust retest limits:

1. Navigate to Settings → Grading
2. Find “Retest Configuration” section
3. Adjust maximum attempts (default: 3)
4. Save changes

Considerations for Limits

• Lower Limits (2): More rigorous, less margin for error
• Standard Limits (3): Balanced approach
• Higher Limits (4+): More opportunities, less pressure

Changing Limits: Changes apply to future tests only. Existing tests retain their original limit to maintain fairness.

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Retest Analytics

Retest Rate Metrics

View overall retest statistics:

• Retest Rate: Percentage of tests requiring retests
• Pass-on-Retest Rate: How often retests succeed
• Average Attempts: Mean attempts before passing
• Max Attempts Reached: Students exhausting limits

Using Analytics

High Retest Rate:

• May indicate content difficulty
• Could suggest teaching adjustments needed
• Review specific subjects/PACEs

Low Pass-on-Retest Rate:

• Students may not be studying effectively
• Retest scheduling may be too quick
• Consider study support programs

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Best Practices

For Scheduling

• Allow 3-5 days between attempts for study time
• Don’t batch too many retests on same day
• Consider student’s overall schedule
• Avoid scheduling during stressful periods

For Students

• Require study plan before scheduling retest
• Review problem areas from original test
• Consider peer tutoring or extra help
• Encourage but don’t pressure

For Tracking

• Monitor students approaching max attempts
• Intervene early with struggling students
• Document intervention efforts
• Escalate persistent failures to leadership

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Troubleshooting

Cannot Schedule Retest

Possible Causes:

• Max attempts already reached
• Test already passed on retest
• Not a failed test

Solution:

• Check attempt count
• Verify test status
• Confirm this is a failing score

Retest Score Not Linking

Possible Causes:

• Entered as new test instead of retest
• Wrong PACE selected

Solution:

• Always use the retest entry form
• Not the regular score entry
• Contact admin if entered incorrectly

Student Disputes Attempt Count

Process:

1. View attempt history for the test
2. Check audit trail for all entries
3. Verify each recorded attempt
4. Correct if system error found

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Related Guides

Grading Overview

Complete overview of the grading system

Test Score Entry

How to enter test scores

Grading Overview

Complete grading system overview

Audit Trail

Tracking all grading activities