scholarly journals Very Short Answer Questions: A Viable Alternative to Multiple Choice Questions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS PUTHIAPARAMPIL ◽  
Md Mizanur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Viable Alternative ◽  
Rote Learning ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
Short Answer Questions ◽  
True False

Abstract Background Multiple choice questions, used in medical school assessments for decades, have many drawbacks, such as: hard to construct, allow guessing, encourage test-wiseness, promote rote learning, provide no opportunity for examinees to express ideas, and do not provide information about strengths and weakness of candidates. Directly asked and answered questions like Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQ) is considered a better alternative with several advantages. Objectives This study aims to substantiate the superiority of VSAQ by actual tests and obtaining feedback from the stakeholders. Methods Conduct multiple true-false, one best answer and VSAQ tests in two batches of medical students, compare their scores and psychometric indexes of the tests and seek opinions from students and academics regarding these assessment methods. Results Multiple true-false and best answer test scores showed skewed results and low psychometric performance compared to better psychometrics and more balanced student performance in VSAQ tests. The stakeholders’ opinions were significantly in favour of VSAQ. Conclusion and recommendation This study concludes that VSAQ is a viable alternative to multiple choice question tests, and it is widely accepted by medical students and academics in the medical faculty.

scholarly journals Open problem-based instruction impacts understanding of physiological concepts differently in undergraduate students

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon M. Franklin ◽  
Lin Xiang ◽  
Jason A. Collett ◽  
Megan K. Rhoads ◽  
Jeffrey L. Osborn
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Open Problem ◽  
Instructional Methods ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
Multiple Choice Exam

Student populations are diverse such that different types of learners struggle with traditional didactic instruction. Problem-based learning has existed for several decades, but there is still controversy regarding the optimal mode of instruction to ensure success at all levels of students' past achievement. The present study addressed this problem by dividing students into the following three instructional groups for an upper-level course in animal physiology: traditional lecture-style instruction (LI), guided problem-based instruction (GPBI), and open problem-based instruction (OPBI). Student performance was measured by three summative assessments consisting of 50% multiple-choice questions and 50% short-answer questions as well as a final overall course assessment. The present study also examined how students of different academic achievement histories performed under each instructional method. When student achievement levels were not considered, the effects of instructional methods on student outcomes were modest; OPBI students performed moderately better on short-answer exam questions than both LI and GPBI groups. High-achieving students showed no difference in performance for any of the instructional methods on any metric examined. In students with low-achieving academic histories, OPBI students largely outperformed LI students on all metrics (short-answer exam: P < 0.05, d = 1.865; multiple-choice question exam: P < 0.05, d = 1.166; and final score: P < 0.05, d = 1.265). They also outperformed GPBI students on short-answer exam questions ( P < 0.05, d = 1.109) but not multiple-choice exam questions ( P = 0.071, d = 0.716) or final course outcome ( P = 0.328, d = 0.513). These findings strongly suggest that typically low-achieving students perform at a higher level under OPBI as long as the proper support systems (formative assessment and scaffolding) are provided to encourage student success.

Written exams

2019 ◽  
pp. 969-982
Keyword(s):  
Medical School ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Skills Assessment ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Essential Requirement ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
Situational Judgement Test ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Short Answer Questions ◽  
Situational Judgement

This chapter covers multiple choice questions (MCQs), extended matching questions (EMQs), short answer questions (SAQs), essays, situational judgement test (SJT exam), and the prescribing skills assessment (PSA exam). It focuses on the importance of exam technique with useful tips for the start, during, and after the exam. The chapter provides examples of different types of questions, and how to best prepare and answer them. More recent additions to the curriculum, such as the SJT and PSA, are explained in detail. The SJT is an essential requirement in the final year of clinical schools nationwide, and the score is considered in ranking Foundation Year applications. The PSA tests a final-year medical student’s ability to prescribe. The examination is online and involves MCQs and some SAQs. This chapter includes important links with further updated information, and is written for both those looking to apply for medicine, and those in medical school.

Preparing for clinical examinations

2019 ◽  
pp. 873-894
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
Poster Presentations ◽  
Written Questions ◽  
Oral Presentations ◽  
Short Answer Questions

This chapter prepares you for the leap between preparing for exams at secondary school and preparing for exams at medical school. The differences in preparation have been broken down into various methods. At university, written exams consist of multiple choice questions, extended matching questions, short answer questions, essays, and others. There will also be the introduction of practical exams in the form of OSCEs, oral presentations, and poster presentations. Top tips and useful resources for preparing as well as examples of written questions have been provided too. There is also advice on dealing with poor results and what those exam results will be used for towards your final qualification.

Multiple-Choice Questions with an Option to Comment: Student Attitudes and Use

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Nield ◽  
Maxine Gallander Wintre
Keyword(s):  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Psychology Students ◽  
Introductory Psychology ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Large Classes ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
True False

Introductory Psychology students were graded on four tests using multiple-choice questions with an explicit option to explain their answers (E-option), and were later asked how they would compare this format with short answer, essay, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and regular multiple-choice. Students rated the E-option and short-answer formats as most preferred, and less frustrating and anxiety producing than other formats (p < .05). Of 416 students, 173 used the E-option, averaging less than one explanation per test over the four tests. During the course, only 30 points were gained and 5 points lost due to E-option use. The E-option seems to be an efficient and humane technique for testing large classes.

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