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Teacher's Guide: How to formulate exam questions?
With so many types of questions, it is common to question what is the best option when taking assessments. In this article we show you how to write good questions and when to use them.
One of the necessary pillars of education throughout history are teachers, since they are responsible for formulating exam questions, and also serve as the means through which students can achieve knowledge through learning.
Furthermore, in the midst of the dynamic society we live in, where everything is constantly changing, education has also been modified over the years. New technologies not only made their way into the academic sphere, but also influenced the way we interact, and therefore, the way we learn.
This is why it is essential to detail the advice for writing better questions in assessment instances. Let's see each one in detail.
Multiple choice
Generally, they consist of formulating exam questions with three or more answers to choose from: one is correct and the others are distractors. This type of questions are extremely versatile and can be used for practically any topic and situation.
In relation to suggestions, it is crucial not to use "all of the above" or "none of the above" as options, because these statements make it easier to guess the answer. Likewise, it is essential to eliminate any element of subjectivity and evaluate only one topic per question.
True or false
At first glance they seem simple, but when used correctly, they can expose deep and effective understanding of the information. However, writing questions of this type can be complicated because the selection of small words changes the meaning of a statement.
Moreover, as a tip, it is vital that sentences are 100% true or 100% false, avoiding ambiguity. Following on from this, it is important to pay attention to the presence of so-called "double negatives", which fuel confusion and difficulty in solving for students.
Fill in the blank
These options provide an objective way to measure true understanding of the answer, rather than recognizing the response to a multiple-choice question. Usually, they are used to assess definitions, problem-solving and/or recalling concepts.
In reference to recommendations, it is emphasized that one should not start a statement with a blank space. In that sense, it is noted that they should be included towards the end of the sentence, rather than the beginning. On the other hand, it is essential to avoid the use of too many blank spaces, as they can overwhelm students and lead to incorrect answers.
Written essay questions
Written essay questions may require more time for review, but they are an effective way to allow students to expand their thoughts and link other concepts.
When using this model, it is advisable to intentionally frame the questions based on the objective. To achieve this, it is essential to use words or terms such as the following: group/classify/categorize, compare and contrast, in your own words define/list/summarize. Finally, when developing longer essay questions, it is essential to focus on broad topics, inviting the student to expand.
Why formulate exam questions with Klarway?
Our software enables the monitoring of all types of questions, making it possible to create a fair and equitable environment for everyone. In that context, we carry out automated monitoring with application, recording escape attempts along with keyboard shortcuts used. In addition, we allow screen blocking, preventing students from accessing unauthorized pages or applications, so they can focus on their exam.
Now, current education requires formulating successful exam questions, together with new learning models, which is why it is essential that institutions have secure, scalable and easy-to-use systems. Ensuring a good teaching experience is substantial to achieve successful education in all its forms; that is why automated application proctoring is presented as the best option to achieve true academic integrity, accessing a superior formative process adapted to the demands of society.
That is why at Klarway we offer a reliable solution, which enables the implementation of online curricula adapted to the needs of students, providing real support to the institution, educators and students. Thanks to the use of an efficient, comprehensive and flexible tool, we promote models that support teachers in automatic correction of assessment instances in a secure manner.
Finally, are you interested in learning the techniques to prevent students from cheating? Click here to read all prevention tips.
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