While we often think of exams as a way to test students’ comprehension of material, exams can serve more than one purpose. Being aware of why we are testing students and what exactly we want to test can help make students’ and instructors’ experience of exams more useful. The following tips will gear you towards issues you should think about during the entire exam process, from planning to reflection.
Before you start preparing an exam
Why are you giving an exam to your students?
- To evaluate and grade students. Exams provide a controlled environment for independent work and so are often used to verify students’ learning.
- To motivate students to study. Students tend to open their books more often when an evaluation is coming up. Exams can be great motivators.
- To add variety to student learning. Exams are a form of learning activity. They can enable students to see the material from a different perspective. They also provide feedback that students can then use to improve their understanding.
- To identify weaknesses and correct them. Exams enable both students and instructors to identify which areas of the material students do not understand. This allows students to seek help, and instructors to address areas that may need more attention, thus enabling student progression and improvement.
- To obtain feedback on your teaching. You can use exams to evaluate your own teaching. Students’ performance on the exam will pinpoint areas where you should spend more time or change your current approach.
- To provide statistics for the course or institution. Institutions often want information on how students are doing. How many are passing and failing, and what is the average achievement in class? Exams can provide this information.
- To accredit qualified students. Certain professions demand that students demonstrate the acquisition of certain skills or knowledge. An exam can provide such proof – for example, the Uniform Final Examination (UFE) serves this purpose in accounting.
