MEGA Cross Categorical Special Education Practice Test

A student with short-term memory deficits struggles most with which task?

1. reciting the alphabet

2. self-correcting written work

3. following multistep oral directions

4. recognizing sight words

The correct answer is: following multistep oral directions

The task most challenging for a student with short-term memory deficits is following multistep oral directions. Short-term memory plays a crucial role in retaining and processing information over brief periods, which is essential when executing multiple tasks or directions in succession. In this scenario, when a teacher gives multistep directions, the student must hold onto the information long enough to understand and execute it properly. If the student's short-term memory is compromised, they may forget earlier parts of the instructions by the time they reach the later steps, leading to confusion or incomplete tasks. In contrast, the other tasks involve different memory functions or skills. Reciting the alphabet primarily requires long-term recall of a well-practiced sequence, self-correcting written work typically relies on a combination of skills that may not be as heavily dependent on short-term memory alone, and recognizing sight words often involves visual memory and pattern recognition rather than the active retention of verbal instructions. Thus, the complexity and demand for active retention in following multistep directions makes it particularly difficult for students with short-term memory deficits.