The predominate measure of success in schools has always been the test. Therefore, from a non-educator point of view the mission of schools has been to raise students' test scores. Short term memory work, cramming, getting the score, and puzzle solving are familiar images for many students, young and old. Today the demands of the information age requires complex thinking, in-depth understanding, collaborative problem solving, and new habits of mind. The ability to construct insightful questions, rather than parrot simple answers for a test, is a better guide to a solution.
Most educators recognize the purpose and limits of the memory tests.
Today the challenge is to align significant content and real life skills with performance-based tasks and authentic assessments. However, these approaches also raise a number of issues, requiring new questions. Learning is preparing for performance. Performance is demonstrating learning. Self-reflection turns performance into a learning activity.