Initial Test in Serbian Language and Literature Classes in Elementary School

Starting from the premise that initial assessment within school subjects is defined by the Rulebook on Student Assessment in Elementary School and is mandatory for every subject, we were interested in understanding how much importance students attach to this type of assessment, given the fact that it is not graded. We also aimed to explore how important the results of the initial test are to them, considering that the outcome of this test serves the teacher as a tool for planning future lessons and monitoring student progress. In line with this, the objective of the study was to determine the significance of applying the initial test in the subject Serbian Language and Literature among upper elementary school students. To achieve this goal, we conducted a survey among students to examine their attitudes toward the results of this test. Statistical analysis indicated that, regardless of the test's purpose, there is no significant correlation between the initial test results and students’ final academic achievement. The conclusion of the study suggests that students perceive the test as a mere formality, do not dedicate enough attention to it, and that its effectiveness and purposefulness in the teaching process are therefore questionable.