Feedback enhances the positive effects and reduces the negative effects of multiple-choice testing.
Multiple-choice tests are used frequently in higher education without much consideration of the impact this form of assessment has on learning. Multiple-choice testing enhances retention of the material tested (the testing effect); however, unlike other tests, multiple-choice can also be detrimental because it exposes students to misinformation in the form of lures. The selection of lures can lead students to acquire false knowledge (Roediger & Marsh, 2005). The present research investigated whether feedback could be used to boost the positive effects and reduce the negative effects of multiple-choice testing. Subjects studied passages and then received a multiple-choice test with immediate feedback, delayed feedback, or no feedback. In comparison with the no-feedback condition, both immediate and delayed feedback increased the proportion of correct responses and reduced the proportion of intrusions (i.e., lure responses from the initial multiple-choice test) on a delayed cued recall test. Educators should provide feedback when using multiple-choice tests.
Butler
Andrew C
AC
Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63139-4899, USA. butler@wustl.edu
Roediger
Henry L
HL
D002755:Choice Behavior; D003463:Cues; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D011939:Mental Recall; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012153:Retention, Psychology