The influence of authorized crib cards on horticulture student test performance, study habits, and test anxiety

Understanding study habits and test anxiety is important for providing a well‐rounded education. Authorized crib cards have been utilized in classrooms for decades, yet their specific influence on horticulture student performance and test anxiety remains under‐researched. This 2‐year study (Spring 2023–2024) evaluated the impact of authorized, handwritten crib cards in an introductory turfgrass science course ( n = 29). Utilizing a design with four traditional and four crib‐card‐allowed assessments annually, the objectives of the study were to gain a better understanding of student study habits, crib card use, testing performance, and the influence of the crib card on test anxiety. For most students, there was a <2% change in their average test scores with traditional testing (i.e., no crib card) compared with crib‐card‐allowed tests (i.e., quizzes and exams); however, students did report that the crib cards “help[ed] motivate me to study” and assisted in helping them create a “plan for what I didn't know” while studying for the test. The crib cards were most helpful for lower performing students, including those with a grade point average ≤2.65. Regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between crib card completeness and test performance ( R 2 = 0.13, p < 0.0001), and survey data confirmed that card creation significantly reduced test anxiety and improved study organization. These findings suggest crib cards are a valuable pedagogical tool for anxiety mitigation and study support, particularly for at‐risk students in horticulture curricula.