Module 12: Construction of Multiple-choice Tests

Students often believe tests are administered to give the instructor something on which to base a grade. Students may even believe that tests are given by instructors to determine what students don't know. Instructors believe that tests are valuable tools for learning by offering an opportunity to find out what students do know and offering an opportunity to give feedback. Tests may also be perceived as an instrument for gauging the breadth and depth of student knowledge. Instructors may learn how effective or ineffective their teaching has been from results on tests.

Exams that are the easiest to construct are the most difficult to grade and vice versa. Essay exams can be made up in minutes and might require hours to grade. On the other hand, multiple-choice exams can be constructed by an experienced test writer at the rate of 3 to 5 questions an hour, and can be corrected at the rate of 20 to 30 seconds for a 60 item test.