Innovative approach to testing to support student success.

• Testing is often a dominant method of student evaluation and assessment in programs of nursing and test scores can impact students, faculty, programs of nursing, and society. • This paper adds to the existing body of knowledge by introducing a consistent, holistic approach to three interrelated components of testing, (1) pre-test active learning activities, (2) testing, and (3) post-test reviews. • A holistic and diversified approach may serve to reach a nursing student population that includes not only dominant groups but also racial/ethnic minorities, and ESL, low income, and first-generation nursing students. • Pre-test active learning, testing, and post-test reviews strategies introduced in this paper can be implemented by faculty. Testing is often a dominant method of student evaluation and assessment in nursing programs. Test scores can impact students, faculty, programs of nursing, and society. A holistic and diversified approach may serve to reach a nursing student population that includes not only dominant groups but also racial/ethnic minorities, and ESL, low income, and first-generation nursing students. Student success on faculty-constructed tests is enhanced by knowledge, test-taking skills, remediation, and confidence. Faculty can cultivate these attributes through a consistent, holistic approach to three interrelated components of testing, (1) pre-test active learning activities, (2) testing, and (3) post-test reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]