Belhaven University W3 Multiple Choice Test Discussion

Jakerria Hall

Take the “Quiz with No Content” that’s associated with this prompt (see PowerPoint linked below and open and “Play” the PowerPoint). Discuss your results – how well did you do? Which of the multiple-choice test writing traps caught you? Which did you recognize? How can this “quiz” help you when you write your own multiple-choice test questions?

• I scored horribly on the quiz. I got a couple of questions correct all because I guessed and tried to use process of elimination. This quiz can help me by making sure I don’t make quizzes too complicated for my students to handle. I hardly recognized any of the writing traps because pretty much all of them trapped me lol. After taking this quiz, My brain was literally puzzled because of all of the questions I got wrong. In the future, I plan on making sure to use different multiple choice test styles and introduce my students to all of them, so they won’t be like me and get scared because it looks differently than what what they’re use to. When the students get use to the different testing styles they’ll be comfortable and better prepared when taking any test that comes their way.Reply

Eric Escobar

I found out that I really overlooked a good bit of the multiple choice testing question creating traps. I got 4 out of 8. I missed two of the first four questions, so the pattern of abcd was not quite established. I ended up picking b on the last question because I have been doing a lot of ACT prep with my students, and I took my advice and selected b when I had absolutely no idea. When I reviewed the answers, I was stumped at how simple it would have been to answer all the questions using the clues within the question. I particularly missed out on plural use as a big tip on how to answer the questions. Key words that were contained in the question and answer were parts that I got. After finishing this activity, a few things came to light. I was completely unaware of how easy it would have been to write questions that contained these easy outs for students. When writing multiple choice questions, it is very important to avoid these very easy pitfalls. I know some of these pitfalls are not as easy to fall into when constructing a math assessment as sometimes the answers are just number, but special care must be taken to ensure that when words are involved that those pitfalls are avoided. Most of the time when I am making assessments, Canvas is randomizing the answers. I do not have direct control of answer sequence, but the likelihood is very small.Reply

Jarvalyn

Good evening class,

I received a score of 4 out of 8 after completing the quiz. I tried to make sense of the questions and answer options as I proceeded through it. When I noticed I was having trouble understanding what was being asked, I began comparing the answer options to the wording in the questions. I would then have to guess an answer for the most of the questions. I’m surprised at how well I completed. The trap that I fell into was my inability to comprehend and complete the test with accuracy. After I finished the test, I saw that the correct answers followed a pattern (ABCD). When I noticed that each question was difficult to comprehend, I honestly looked at Its possible answer options that followed a pattern. But then I second-guessed myself, assuming that the responses would not be generated using a pattern. The first trap I discovered was the one that caught me off guard: can the kids complete the task? When we develop a test, it is critical that we do so with the intention of completing it successfully and without frustration. Looking over the answers to these questions was really eye-opening. It helped me appreciate why it’s critical to examine my test questions and ensure they’re clear and free of the pitfalls we’ve been talking this week. It also showed me why it is important that we construct questions properly. With those that were given, they are geared to mostly have students ‘think’ that they are correct. This quiz has made me appreciate testing more. Every teacher and student dread when that time of the year comes around. However, we both prepare for that season. Having this guide can lead me to what I should not do when constructing quizzes. Following a certain method will have students open to just the one way they are presented with.