title: Exploring the Potential of Multiple Choice Questions in
Computer-Based Assessment of Student Learning
creator: Ramesh, S.,  
creator: Sidhu, S. Manjit,  
creator: Watugala, G.K.,  
subject: Q Science, Computer Science
subject: T Technology, Engineering
subject: L Education
description: The use of multiple choice tests as a tool of assessment are popular in many university courses, particularly in the foundation year where there is large number of students taking common subjects such as mathematics or engineering science. Under such circumstances, the answers to the multiple choice questions (MCQs) are written on special forms with blank ovals. These forms are scanned and marking is done by comparing the answers with those inputs by the examiner. Subsequently, the results of the students are tabulated with the aid of customised software. However, this conventional method of administering MCQs is not practicable when the number of students and the number of questions are small e.g. ≤ 100 and ≤ 10, respectively. The present paper addresses this issue and discusses the development of an unconventional, yet an effective method for administering short and simple MCQs as a means of assessing student learning in a focus area of the subject matter. A MCQs test was designed, wherein the five choices (n = 5) of answer to a question is tagged with different numerical numbers based on the multiplication of numeral (n + 1) and not by the alphabets A, B, C, D and E as per normal practice. At the end of the test, the candidate will total the selected choices for questions and the test result can then be obtained by inputting the total choice value in a simple spreadsheet programme. The spreadsheet programmme was written specifically to decode that number and indicate the number of correct answers.
publisher: Malaysian Educational Technology Association
date: 2005
type: Journal
type: PeerReviewed
relation: http://pppjj.usm.my/mojit/articles/pdf/April05/04-Ramesh&Manjit.pdf
identifier: Ramesh, S., and Sidhu, S. Manjit, and Watugala, G.K., (2005) Exploring the Potential of Multiple Choice Questions in Computer-Based Assessment of Student Learning. Malaysian Online Journal of Instructional Technology (MOJIT), 2 (1). 15p.. ISSN 1823-1144
relation: http://myais.fsktm.um.edu.my/1670/