Using Multiple Choice Questions In Class

 

Personally, I don't like using multiple choice questions in class but many standardized tests such as ACT or SAT use them and most of my students struggle with this type of question.  On many of the standardized tests given by the state have the right answer, two wrong answers that students will come up with if they don't take the problem to it's natural conclusion or only get half done and one that is totally wrong. 

Even though I don't like giving this type of test, it is important that students learn to take them and not just guess.  In my textbook, the pre-tests for each chapter are multiple choice along with certain questions in the problems for each section.  Many students need to be taught how to take multiple choice tests effectively.

There are strategies to help students when taking multiple choice questions.  First, students should cover up the potential answers without even looking at them before they read the problem because they need to know exactly what the problem is asking.  If they cover the answers, they do not get distracted and they can reread the question multiple times to understand it. 

In fact, it is recommended that students rephrase the question to themselves, before trying to answer it in their mind first. If the problem requires calculations or simplification, students should try to answer the question before they look at the answers otherwise, many students tend to guess rather than trying to do the problem.  If the problem requires them to find an equivalent equation or find a fraction closest to a number, they should still cover the answers to they are focused only on the question before going through each answer slowly to see if the answer goes with the question.

Secondly, have students highlight key words, especially words like always, never, sometimes, not and others that place limits on the situation.  The question might ask you to find the probability of not drawing a red or green ball, rather than asking for the probability of drawing a certain colored ball.  Many students miss the qualifiers if they don't highlight certain key words.

Next, after reading the question and highlighting key information, students should read through the answers to eliminate any that are obviously wrong.  If a student does not see any that are obviously wrong, then there is another technique to use.  If the answer required is an actual number, one can substitute the answers back into the original equation to see which one makes the whole problem correct.  I've used this last one myself on multiple choice questions.

One person analyzed over 2400 questions from 100 different tests to determine the four strategies to help increase a person's chances of getting multiple choice questions correct when they don't know an answer.  First, if you have see "None of the above" or "All of the above",  one of these is likely to be the correct answer over half the time.  Secondly, two questions in a row seldom have the same answer.  For instance if you don't know the answer to question 2 but know the answer to question 1 is a and the answer to question 3 is d, then chances are question 2 will not be either a or d.  Next, the correct answer is more often than not the longest answer because the people who write the test want to make sure the correct answer is definitely correct.  They are not going to take as much care with an answer that is wrong.  Finally, eliminate any questions that are out there.  Often, on math tests, people can eliminate answers that are too small or too large just by using estimation.  

I also tell students to keep an eye on the time if the test is timed.  Always do the questions you know how to do first, followed by those you sort of know, and leave the ones for last that you have no idea how to do.  You can do this for some computer tests but not for all and it works well for paper based tests.  I advise students to spend no more than two minutes if they get stuck on a question otherwise they'll get frustrated and not be able to complete the test.  I also include some practice questions with their homework.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Multiple Choice Questions - Other Uses.

When most of us hear the term "Multiple Choice" in connection to math, we automatically joke "Multiple Guess".  I remember taking a few where I just plugged the answers back into the problem to find the correct choice, or I used the elimination method to narrow the choices until I got it down to the most probable one.

Many multiple choice questions are set up so the most probable incorrect answers are included so if someone makes a mistake, they'll find it in the choices.  More often than not, you aren't sure if they know the material, got tired, or didn't care.

The other day, I read a blog on how to use multiple choice questions in ways that may be more effective in class. There are ways to use it other than as a major test.  I liked what the author said so I'll share it with you.

I'd like to thank Pear Deck for these suggestions  which are easily integrated into math.

1.  Use multiple choice questions to poll students on a topic or get feedback on something.  You might ask them if they'd prefer to play kahoot or jeopardy as a way of reviewing the material in preparation for a test.  You might also ask which step is next in a problem by listing several steps to  see if they understand the process. 

2.  Multiple choice can be used to check for misconceptions and understanding in topics such as
      GCF & LCM
      Equivalent Fractions
      Order of Operations
      Binomial Multiplication
      Combining like terms
      Solving problems
The use of whiteboards either virtual or real is great for this because you post the question, students write their answer on the board and with a quick glance, you see who understands it and who needs a bit more work.

3. Use multiple choice as an exit ticket.  Ask how they feel about the material studied that day using emoji's and multiple choice.  Faces can range from great to crying so students can choose one to show how they feel about their understanding.

These are just a few suggestions for using multiple choice to learn more about student understanding outside of a testing situation.  I think they are cool and add to my teaching toolbox.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.