Effective assessment is a process designed to generate inferences, or actionable meanings. It aims to help teachers achieve clearly-defined goals that they couldn’t reach without it.

Taking a test often does more than assess knowledge; tests can also provide opportunities for learning (Roediger & Karpicke, 2006). For example, a well-planned assessment could give you the opportunity to provide high-quality feedback without adding to your own workload.

One way to ensure your assessment is effective is to plan it to be a strong bridge between teaching and learning (Wiliam, 2013). When you have great assessment, the process of ascertaining where the learner is, where they need to be, and how to get them there becomes much easier!

Why are multiple choice questions a great assessment tool?

Of course, there are many ways to assess. In this guide, we focus specifically on the use of multiple choice questions (MCQs).

Typically, teachers use MCQs for testing facts and so-called lower-order thinking skills to test if children remember and understand facts (Tarrant et al., 2006; Zimmaro, 2010). However, when MCQs are purposeful and well-planned, they can spark higher-level learning, and create a desirable difficulty, positively increasing the value of the assessment (Coe, 2013).

As with any educational tool, you should make a judgement about whether MCQs suit your particular purpose before deciding whether to use them.

Read more in the eBook.