Effective alternatives to multiple choice
Quizzes and multiple-choice exams have long been a common method of assessing learning in education. The idea behind multiple choice tests is to give students a series of questions where each question has four or five options and the student must choose the correct answer. Although multiple-choice exams are considered easy to create, grade, and administer, they need to accurately assess how students understand and are able to apply the material.
Problems with multiple choice exams
One of the main problems with multiple-choice quizzes and exams is that they encourage memorization of information rather than promoting deeper learning. Students can often pass multiple-choice tests with little or no understanding of the underlying concepts. They can remember material long enough to pass an exam and forget it almost immediately afterwards. In addition, multiple choice tests have a high degree of guessing. With three, four or five options, students can choose the correct answer without fully understanding the material. The multiple-choice format makes it easy for students to guess, skewing their scores and making it difficult to accurately assess their understanding of the material.
Another area for improvement with multiple-choice tests is that they often focus on lower-order thinking skills rather than higher-order skills. Lower-order thinking skills involve remembering and recalling information, while higher-order thinking skills involve analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. Multiple-choice tests can assess lower-order thinking skills, such as memorization, but must be more appropriate for assessing higher-order thinking skills necessary for critical thinking and problem solving.
Consider alternatives with more options
Given the limitations of multiple-choice tests, it is imperative to consider alternative assessment methods more effective in measuring learning. Some alternative assessment methods to multiple choice include (but are not limited to):
- Essay exams
Essay exams require students to write an answer in their own words, which can provide insight into their understanding of the material. Essay exams can also assess higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis, and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply material to real-world situations. - Performance-based evaluation
Performance-based assessment requires students to complete an assignment or project to demonstrate their understanding of the material. These assessments can assess higher-order thinking skills and provide insight into how students apply the material to real-world situations. - Open questions
Open-ended questions allow students to answer in their own words and provide insight into their understanding of the material. These questions may also assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis. - Portfolios
Portfolios are collections of student work demonstrating their understanding of the material. Portfolios can assess higher-order thinking skills and provide a comprehensive view of a student’s understanding of the material. - Peer review
Peer assessment includes peer assessment of students’ work. This can be an effective way to encourage critical thinking and can provide insight into students’ understanding of the material. - Case studies
Case studies involve presenting students with a real-world scenario and asking them to analyze and solve a problem related to the material. Case studies can be used to assess higher-order thinking skills and provide students with opportunities to apply material to real-world situations. - Oral presentation
An oral presentation requires students to present their understanding of the material in front of a group. An oral presentation can assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their communication skills. - Group discussions
Group discussions involve students working in small groups to discuss and analyze the material. Group discussions can assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and allow students to collaborate and share their perspectives and ideas. - Oral exams
Oral exams require students to orally answer questions about the material. Oral exams can assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their communication and critical thinking skills. - Concept tests
Concept tests are short multiple-choice tests that assess students’ understanding of key concepts and ideas. Concept tests can assess students’ understanding of the material and provide opportunities to identify areas where they may need further study or clarification. - Performance tasks
Performance tasks are assessments that require students to demonstrate their skills and understanding of the material through an actual task or project. Performance tasks can assess higher-order thinking skills and allow students to apply material to real-world situations. - Adaptive testing
Adaptive testing is a computerized testing method that adjusts the difficulty of questions based on a student’s previous answers. This can assess students’ understanding of the material and provide a more personalized assessment. - Classroom observation
Classroom observation involves the observer watching and evaluating the student’s behavior and understanding of the material during class activities or discussions. These observations can be used to assess higher-order thinking skills and provide students with opportunities to receive personalized feedback about their learning. - Group projects
Group projects require students to work together to complete an assignment or project related to the material. Group projects can assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their collaborative and teamwork skills. - Written reflections
Written reflections involve students writing about their understanding of the material and how it relates to their personal experiences. Written reflections can be used to assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply the material in their lives. - Digital media projects
Digital media projects involve using technology to create a project related to material such as a video, podcast, or website. Digital media projects can assess higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis and synthesis, and provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their creativity and technological skills. - Laboratory reports
Lab reports require students to conduct experiments and write reports detailing their observations, analysis, and conclusions. These reports can assess higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of scientific concepts and methods. - Authentic reviews
Authentic assessments involve creating assessments based on real-world scenarios that require students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems or complete tasks. Authentic assessments can assess higher-order thinking skills and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply material to real-world situations. - Self-assessment
Self-assessment involves students evaluating their own learning and understanding of the material. Self-assessment can promote metacognition, which is the ability to reflect on one’s own thinking, and can provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and identify areas for improvement. - Concept maps
Concept maps show the relationships between different concepts and ideas. These maps can assess students’ understanding of the material and provide opportunities to demonstrate their ability to organize and connect ideas. - Peer review
Peer assessment involves students checking their work and giving each other feedback. Peer assessment can encourage critical thinking and provide students with an opportunity to receive feedback on their work and improve their understanding of the material. - Class discussion
Classroom discussions involve engaging students in dialogue and debate about the material. These discussions can be used to assess higher order thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their communication and critical thinking skills. - Learning diaries
Learning diaries involve students writing about their learning experiences, including their thoughts, feelings and observations about the material. Learning journals can promote metacognition and provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and identify areas for improvement. - Simulation
Simulations involve creating virtual or real scenarios that allow students to practice applying material in a safe and controlled environment. Simulations can assess higher-order thinking skills and allow students to apply material to real-world situations.
Benefits of using these alternatives
It is important to note that these multiple-choice alternatives may require more time and effort to administer and score than multiple-choice tests. However, the benefits of using alternative assessment methods are that they can lead to a better understanding of student learning, which is ultimately the goal of higher education. In addition, incorporating alternative assessment methods can promote a more diverse and inclusive learning environment. Students from different backgrounds and learning styles can better demonstrate their understanding of material using methods that do not rely solely on memorization and guessing. Incorporating alternative assessment methods can also help address issues of cheating and academic dishonesty. Multiple-choice tests are easy to copy or share, while performance-based assessments and portfolios require students to produce original work that reflects their understanding of the material.
Conclusion
In conclusion, quizzes and multiple-choice exams do not accurately measure learning and should not be used as the sole assessment method in higher education. Multiple-choice assessment alternatives such as essay exams, performance-based assessments, open-ended questions, portfolios, and peer assessment are more effective in measuring learning and promoting deeper understanding of the material. Although these methods may require more time and effort to administer and mark, they provide a more comprehensive view of a student’s understanding of the material and promote a more diverse and inclusive learning environment.
