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Tests are intended to assess performance of students. However, tests can also be used as an educational tool. Current patterns in education have produced a group of students with weak learning skills, limited confidence in their own abilities, an underlying hostility or distrust of the educational system, and an inhibited attitude towards self-help activities. This paper describes a straightforward technique to reduce these patterns. The method called "Challenge" encourages students to engage in self-directed analysis of their mistakes on objective tests. Since there can be genuine disagreement about answers to multiple-choice questions, students are asked to defend their answers on tests in writing by the start of the next class after the test. Credit is given on the basis of the quality of logic or evidence directly stated in the challenge. There are numerous pedagogical and psychological benefits that can result. The method inhibits alienating effects of objective tests and large classes. The process encourages greater student understanding of course content, improves methods of test taking, and enhances conceptual abilities. Self esteem and a sense of personal empowerment may also increase. (Author/LL)