Essay questions
Essay Questions
Essay items, like short-answer, are constructed-response questions. However, essay answers are typically much longer than those of short-answer, ranging from a few paragraphs to several pages.
Advantages:
Essay questions are the only question type that can effectively assess all six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. They allow students to express their thoughts and opinions in writing, granting a clearer picture of the level of student understanding. Finally, as open-ended questions, they assess recall over recognition.
Disadvantages:
There are two main disadvantages to essay questions: time requirements and grading consistency. Essays are time-consuming for students to complete, and require careful instructions on the part of the test writer. Scoring can be difficult because of the variety of answers, as well as the “halo effect†(students rewarded for strong writing skills as opposed to demonstrated mastery of the content).
Most appropriate for:
Assessment that cannot be accomplished with other question types. Because essays are the only question types that can effectively assess the highest levels of student mastery, they are the only option if the goal of testing is the assessment of synthesis and evaluation levels.
Bloom’s Levels:
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
The subjective disadvantage can be handled by creating rubrics for each essay question. I've found that essay questions on midterm and final exams give me an indication of just how much knowledge students have gained in the course and the value they may place on that knowledge, shown in their ability to analyze and synthesize.
I agree - most of my students moan when they hear they will have to write something but I find that once they get going they enjoy expressing themselves.
I agree essay tests assess higher order thinking skills. Disadvantage can be that it is subjective.
Eassy questions are the most difficult of all for many students.
I agree with pam students need to understand the reasons why they are doing things in their field of choice not just because someone said so. So by doing essay questions you get a good sense if the student undertstood it.
Hi Pamela - I also like to use essay questions for the same reasons that you mention. To answer effectively, students must analyze, synthesize and certainly use critical thinking skills - all skills that will serve them well in the workplace.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The main reason I use essay tests is to help the student understand that memorization only gets you through the test. I need to know from time to time the students understand the concept and application for their success in their future careers. The students find out that they score much better than they anticipated as long as they support their statements.
Hi Changhiz- Your response to the question about essay questions was very well written as well as being most thorough! Susan
