The Impact of Eliminating Backward Navigation on Computerized Examination Scores and Completion Time

Objective. To determine whether elimination of backward navigation during an examination resulted in changes in examination score or time to complete the examination. Methods. Student performance on six examinations in which backward navigation was eliminated was compared to performance on examinations administered to pharmacy students the previous year when backwards navigation was allowed. The primary comparison of interest was change in student performance on a subset of identical questions included on both examinations. Secondary outcomes included change in total examination score and completion time. Results. No significant reduction in examination scores was observed as a result of eliminating backward navigation. The average time that students spent on a question was significantly reduced on two of the six examinations. Conclusion. Restricting pharmacy students’ ability to revisit questions previously answered (elimination of backward navigation) on an examination had no adverse effect on scores or testing time when assessed across three years of the didactic pharmacy curriculum.