Multiple Guess Tests

  Are higher education institutions doing students a disservice by settling for the convenience of multiple choice exams? Dr. Kathrin Stanger-Hall argues that multiple choice questions do not engage critical thinking skills, and are not the best way to test scientific knowledge. However, a key obstacle to changing testing strategies is overcoming student resistance. For students that are very driven by grades or identify their future career based on their ability to earn an “A”, it can be paralyzing to some degree and these students become apprehensive to try something new.