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Re-Tooling the Multiple Choice Test

3. An untraditional approach to traditional multiple choice

This course is about alternative assessment. So, how can you take a traditional assessment tool like the multiple choice test, turn it on its head, and use it differently? 

If you are going to use MC tests (because you have to or you want to), you can help your students be successful in the following ways:

  • If your students need to write registry or ITA exams, be a learning coach. Teach memory and test-taking strategies. Give plenty of opportunities for low-stakes practice under simulated conditions. Train students to apply the correct thinking skills.
  • Have students write exam questions for each other. Direct them to identify answer options that are: almost correct, commonly mistaken, trick answers…etc. In doing so, they are identifying what something is, and what it isn't. This is a great way to consolidate conceptual understanding.
  • Use Kahoot or another online quizzing tool to add some fun!
  • Get students to do a practice test alone, then with a partner, and then put the pairs together to discuss the questions. Compare answers. 
  • Analyze the correct and incorrect responses on a practice test (was it a lucky guess, confident response, or misunderstanding of the question; did you not know the material, or knew the answer but couldn't extract from memory?)
  • Help students dissociate the results of their tests from their competence as a practitioner or tradesperson.
  • Give graded summarization assignments. For example, have them create an exam cheat sheet, or a “book-for-dummies” as a unit assignment.

Other things to consider when adapting the traditional approach to multiple choice testing are:

  • will it be open-book or closed-book; timed or not; independent or collaborative; invigilated or not
  • will it focus on content recall or the application of knowledge.
  • at what point will the test/quiz fall in the course
  • the weightiness of the results (i.e. the implications of success or failure)
  • how an electronic version is set up (can you scroll back, skip questions, do you get instant feedback per question…etc.)
  • how the results should be interpreted (what might it mean to be successful or unsuccessful on this test/quiz). 
  • whether the student has the opportunity to learn from or do something with the results.

STOP, THINK & CONTRIBUTE: Have you used multiple choice questions and quizzing in a way that supports learning? If so, share your tips & tricks, and success stories to the Daily Conversation Forum. Let's repurpose this tool for the good!