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Instructions in exams
Writing clearer instructions and questions in exams and assignments will ensure students have a better understanding of what is required of them and reduces the risk of ambiguity which could be argued about later. It will 'level the playing field' so that all students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding equally. Here are some suggestions.
- Highlight instruction words
- Make it clear which question you want them to answer
- Is this the compulsory one?
- Name things consistently
- Provide an overview of the general focus of the question
- Indicate how much information you want
Sometimes the exam question is really a command. Or the instructions are hidden by a complicated sentence structure. To avoid this, put the instruction at the beginning of the sentence or highlight it so students understand the emphasis of the question and what they have to do.
Example
Given that the profit for the year ended 30 June 2003 was $420,000 and a final dividend of 10 cents per share was provided for at 30 June 2003, record general journal entries for the above events for the year ended 30 June 2003.
Poor example
Question 1 is compulsory.
Instead use
Question a. is compulsory.
To avoid confusion ensure that you refer to things in a consistent way. In this way students know exactly what is being referred to.
Example
Are these several different books or the same thing?
Answer the following multi-choice questions in your examination book.
Answer the following questions in your script book.
Answer the following questions in your answer book.
For example
1. This question relates to…
a)…
b)…
2. This question is about…
a)…
b)…
For example
Describe in no more than half a page…
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