I generally teach a student success class and the testing format is not only dictated by what I want to measure, but also where we are in the term. My tests are generally simple when we start and test at a higher order as the class progresses.
My testing formats depend on a few variables such as class length, class ability, amount of content to be covered, etc. I frequently use short answer tests (I teach math) since that allows me to examine students' ability to work problems out as well as arrive at the correct solution.
Hi Migdalia, Thanks for your post to the forum. Using assessments of varied types does provide the best evauations for students with diverse learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
My main goal is to give everyone one a chance to do well in the segment of the test they are most comfortable with. This is why I use all the test type this class has mentioned.
Just like other people on the posts. I use multiple forms of testing modalities depending on the class content and the skills
I like to use a mix of multiple choice and essay. Also since I teach adult learners, sometimes for those who use convient excuses to miss tests frequently, they are given an all essay exam versus a multiple choice exam. It encourages 100% attendence on test days.
I teach mathematics, so I never tend to give multiple choice tests. I am more concerned with students understanding of a particular concept more than their arithmetic, and I can't "see" their process if I give multiple choice test. I usually give 20-25 questions test where students recall specific mathematical rules, work problems, and determine where a mistake, if any, was made in problems already worked out for them. I also try to create test questions that have varying levels of difficultly.
We use a standized test and a skills test. It would seem the skills test fits the field our students are trying to get into, for the practiacl learning and the standardized testing prepares them for their certifications.
This is something new that I am learning so I will review and educate myself better on different ways of testing
I like to mix up my tests, multiple choice, true/false and essay. Sometimes the students writing abilities make essays difficult to administer.
Type of learnings, size of class, importance of topic as it relates to students career goal
Hi Shannon, You are clearly using a great mix of assessments - well done!
Have a great week-end! Susan
Susan Polick
I tend to use a variety of several ones to make my test. For instance, I'll have 20 true/false, 20 multiple choice, 9 fill in the blanks and 1 essay. I will also select a few of the multiple choice from standardize test. This also helps in figuring out how the student learns as well as test on several different fronts.
For introductory physics' quizzes, I prefer to see the students' work on a simple problem that demonstrates that they have mastered the concepts. A typical quiz will have ten problems. However, for advanced work preparing students for their qualification board exams, I use four-answer multiple choice tests. This is necessary because some students will experience "brain-freeze" when confronted with this system for the first time.
I usually make my exams with true/false, multiple choice, matching, completion, and/or short answer. Depending on what the students learning is how I create the exam. If there is material that is highly important to their learning process, I will use a few completion or short answer. This helps me to see if the students are comprehending what we discuss.
It depends on what I teach. Most of my students don't like true and false, so I have stay away from them. I mostly give multiple choice questions because right now I am teaching beginning classes.
I use the objectives to help steer me in the path of testing formats. The students know what to expect if I use that. Afterall that is what I am telling them they will be expected to learn.
Hi Cathy, Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that the more comfortable you can make your students with the National Exam, the better!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Of course the specific class will play a part, but the National Certification test for massage therapy is a multiple choice test and by giving massage students multiple choice test (especially in Kinesiology), it helps the students get accustomed to the standardized format and in fact eases their worries of taking the test that determines if they get to apply for a massage license.
I like giving multiple choice and completion tests. I teach coding and billing and also a lot about health insurance. Multiple choice helps because it give the student a wide range of what I may have instructed on in each chapter. Completion lets me know they understood the information and can put it together on their own. The coding and billing is more trial and error(hopefully,no room for error) so I have to give the "hands-on" method of testing.
