A Process For Improving Objective Examinations

A process is described to assist new engineering faculty in developing effective student examinations. This process can be applied in traditional classroom instruction or web-based learning settings. An effective examination begins with a set of measurable and observable test objectives. These objectives are derived from course objectives or outcomes. The test objectives should be relevant to mastery of the course material. The cognitive skill level of the objective should also be determined. Once the objectives have been established, the actual questions can be written. Effective examinations include questions that are worded clearly, concisely, and phrased positively. All answer options should be plausible and avoid use of imprecise terms or jargon. The questions are then reviewed for test objective congruence, technical correctness, and grammatical errors. The result is an examination that provides a precise evaluation of student learning, streamlined grading, fewer arbitration issues, and support for distance or web-based