Tests
Of course, a test must be created that covers whatever content was gone over. I personally prefer matching and true and false for my comprehensive tests; every instructor is different. Sometimes, students will seem a bit apprehensive that the testing will be an essay or short answer. I like my students to know what type of test they will be doing before so they know what to expect.
In our school we have a choice of multiple choice, true/false, essay or completion questions. I personally use true and false and multiple choice. I was using some completion questions but I realized that the students that don't have good mastery of the English language were failing the test because of those questions. When I eliminated the questions I noticed a great improvement in their test grades.
I always have multiple choice, true/false, and short answers in my tests. The thing I change up is the difficulty level. If it's something they are taking in class I will make it easier than something that they may need to take home due to lack of in-class time.
We tend to use MC tests. We find the student still has to think but they are gently guided as well. We don't make it to easy though. We use words that sound similar but have a differnt meaning so they still have to know the information.
I think it is best for the students to know what the format of the test is going to be before they take it. I also think that a mix of multiple choice, true and false, and fill in the blank are affective to know if they are retaining the information you have given them.
I perfer to make a test that has the multiple choice gives them an oppertunity to do thinking and also critical thinking as they go along.
