• test performance can become more highly valued than what is being learned;
• testing can reduce the self-esteem of lower-achieving pupils and can make it harder to convince them that they can succeed in other tasks;
• constant failure in practice tests demoralises some pupils and increases the gap between higher and lower achieving pupils;
• test anxiety affects girls more than boys;
• teaching methods may be restricted to what is necessary for passing tests (eg neglect of practical work).