"Revealing" Feedback

Multiple-choice tests do have a place in education.  They are relatively easy to make, to give, and to process for grades.  But the feedback potential for both student and teacher can be greatly enhanced with a nuanced approach. Use a multiple choice test, with added choices, to "reveal" each student's levels of understanding. The  information will help students focus on things that need additional study or practice.  It also reveals flawed thinking or sloppy test-taking methods. For teachers, it allows them to clarify confusion between two similar, but not exact, things. Assign a half point value to the additional choices.  I have an easy example sample below. 

ex. Who was the first President of the United States?

A. Abraham Lincoln
B. Alexander Hamilton
C. George Washington
D. Thomas Jefferson
E. A or B
F. C or D

If the student selected "C" as the answer, full point awarded, but if the student chose F give half point value.  All other answers are incorrect and no points are given.  The next step in this method is to ask students to go back and clarify all of the "half point" answers.  In the above example, the student could say "Washington was the first and Jefferson was the third President of the United States." This could be a follow-up homework assignment or in-class review.  Not all questions on the test have to have more than the traditional four choices of answers.  Provide students  opportunities to self-adjust, re-learn, and clarify understanding.  This is the true essence of feedback. 
  



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