One word exam questions and multiple choice questions on 2nd year

studentphil · 1 December 2006 at 10:48AM

I find this fairly concerning that a degree course on the second year uses one word answer questions and multiple choice questions. Is this fairly common?

raa_thistle · 1 December 2006 at 11:01AM

The MCQs are normally negatively marked, and with maybe 5 options, only one will be completely wrong, a couple will be iffy and two will be the ones you are choosing out of.

It depends on the degree really as to whether it is appropriate. For a history degree or similar, where it is all about communicating ideas as well as knowledge, I wouldnt think so.

However, for pharmacology where the answer is a simple case of, which drug do you use to treat this, then they are perfectly fine. In the end, if you dont know it, then you are not only unlikely to get it right, but you also stand to possibly lose marks.

Having said that, only one exam in three years has been MCQs.

single word answers are normally part of a longer Q paper, where there are also essay Qs to test your applied knowledge.

r.mac_2 · 1 December 2006 at 11:14AM

hiya phil,

I have had mcq's in one of my degree subjects - but not the other. I think that subject matter does play a part. In many subjects there may not be a right or wrong answer, or an answer that can be sumed up in a few words so an mcq paper would not be appropriate.

however, not all mcq's are negatively marked (i have experience of both types) I find that often the pass mark for non negatively marked mcq's may be higher.

Just another tool to test us i suppose, but i prefer questions which allow me to waffle!

out of interest - what subjectc are we talking???

aberstudent · 1 December 2006 at 11:16AM

I've also found that the MCQs depend upon the subject - I have had none in politics or history, but have found some in elective geography modules - this involved a series of MCQs followed by two essay questions.

I know what you mean though - for an analytical subject it seems quite pathetic.

studentphil · 1 December 2006 at 11:19AM

It seems rather unequal though as on my course you had to write 2000 word essays that you had to research and 3 hour closed book exams. That seems much more demanding than one word answers.

r.mac_2 · 1 December 2006 at 12:19PM

i wouldn't say it ws unequal. I have an exam (actually in about 8 days! argh) which has mcq's in it - but also has essay questions aswell - so they can test essential knowledge as well as seeing you put that knowledge into practice in an essay - ie pulling at all together and making sense of it all.

it is very rare to have mcq form 100% assessment.

studentphil · 1 December 2006 at 1:42PM

r.mac wrote:

i wouldn't say it ws unequal. I have an exam (actually in about 8 days! argh) which has mcq's in it - but also has essay questions aswell - so they can test essential knowledge as well as seeing you put that knowledge into practice in an essay - ie pulling at all together and making sense of it all.

it is very rare to have mcq form 100% assessment.

This was completely MCQ and one word answers.
If you picked a course with 3 hour essay exams then surely it is unfair!

peskie_pixie · 1 December 2006 at 2:01PM

studentphil wrote:

This was completely MCQ and one word answers.
If you picked a course with 3 hour essay exams then surely it is unfair!

got to admit it's pretty unusual for a module to be assessed wholly using MCQ and agree with you it's an unfair balance.

Only had one module that had mcq. Overall grade was assessed half 3000 word assignment and half mcq. The mcq was 40 questions and seeing the course tutor was the author of the recommended text, there was a bank of mcq's linked to the books website, so just a case of memorising.

For me it was just a test of my photographic memory not my knowledge and application of that knowledge (did it in 10mins)

retepetsir · 1 December 2006 at 2:30PM

I wish I was doing a degree like that.....!

No chance for engineering.

tr3mor · 1 December 2006 at 3:32PM

studentphil wrote:

This was completely MCQ and one word answers.
If you picked a course with 3 hour essay exams then surely it is unfair!

It's about balance.

To do well in a negatively marked multiple choice you have to know the course inside out. If you make a half arsed attempt at it you'll likely come out with 0.

In a half arsed attempt at an essay you should be able to blag 40%.

r.mac_2 · 1 December 2006 at 3:42PM

I think we just ahve to get on with whatever tehy throw at us. I don't agree that its unfair - it just tests your knowledge differently. Usually involves having a good basic knowledge of the whole course as opposed to an in depth knowledge about a few areas of the course.

Each to their own. Although i prefer course work best!!!!

One word exam questions and multiple choice questions on 2nd year

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