Testing what the student doesn't know!
I do realize we are to challenge the students in a class and have them think outside the box. However, numerous times I have seen Multiple Choice exams with "Trick Questions!" The questions are so close to the correct answer or could be swayed as a correct answer, yet the student fails, falls behind and becomes discouraged. Seems like some testing is more about trying to fool the student than to just directly give an honest and straight foward evaluation.
Susan, how do you deal with this issue?
I am in agreement, there is no reason to have trick questions on an exam.
Hi Mark- You insight about "trick questions" is right on. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
I don't really think that trick questions can be a fair way to asses the student's knowledge. At best, they may put doubts into the student as to whether or not they have a good grasp on the subject. And at worst, the student may begin to believe the trick answer as the correct one.
Hi David,
I have not employed the multiple choice option in my questioning lately, although, I am thinking about doing so. I hope I would not be tricky in my answer options. In teaching multiple shortcut options to questions, I do not know if that would be perceived as tricky as many modifier keys could be utilized in answer to questions.
Most of my test questions therefore have been fill-in-the-blank with a small amount of true and false.
Jo
Some input:
I try to rely on a variety of tests/exams and projects for assessment, and multiple choice tests are not ones I rely on the most.
I do know it depends on the subject matter you teach, and the time constraints.
However, I do not find multiple-choice tests most condusive to learning.
Hi David - welcome to ED 103! I totally agree with you - there is no place for "trick questions" in assessment of students.
