Critical Review

Critical Review

Critical Review

A multiple-choice test is one of the most popular assessment methods in education today . Such an assessment allows learners a relatively high level of autonomy while still resulting in a recognized measurement of their achievement . In spite of great benefits of this assessment method there is a great debate concerning validity of results and the impact of fist instinct on final scores . Thesis Cognition and counterfactual thinking play a crucial role in selection process , so educators should inform students about the first instinct fallacy and combine

multiple-choice tests with other forms of assessment

The article discusses the role and impact of the first instance fallacy on multiple-choice test results and cognitive agents which influence a choice . The authors claim that counterfactual thinking has a great impact on decision-making process and forces many learners to stick with their first instinct (which can be incorrect . Four studies were conducted to test the hypothesis . The research was based on a game Who Wants to be A Millionaire , and involved 68 students on a voluntary basis . The analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between switching and memory , memory and frustration , and frustration and the FIF cognition (Kruger et al 2005 , 731 ) which were at the heart of any choice process , and often an important element of the factors which triggered changes . The analysis of results showed that there was dependence between switching , frustration , memory bias and fallacy . The study proves that one 's first instinct is an ill strategy ' which prevents many learners to show actual level of their knowledge and skills

The researchers present a very important problem of human mind and influence of life experience on multiple test results . The authors vividly portray that cognition is implicit in the emergence of perception of need for change . The results of multiple-choice tests should not be considered in isolation from cognitive processes and the impact of `frustration ' on learners . Educators should pay a special attention to the context in which tests are being applied (Hakel , 1998 The results of Kruger , Miller and Witz are supported by other researchers who find the existence of disattenuated correlations between multiple-choice and constructed-response measures within each taxonomic level (Hancock 1994 , 143 . As with other kinds of learning the breadth of content covered by assessments in multiple-choice tests can vary (Crocker , Schmitt 1987 . Assessments may have a tightly concentrated focus or they may be wider ranging

The results demonstrate that multiple-choice tests need some consideration if they are to be effective measures of students assessment . I agree with the findings that 'an error that results from the change of the correct answer to a wrong answer seems like an error that almost did not happen , and . should not have happen (Kruger et al 2005 , 726 ) Incorporating different assessments ensures it is brought into the mainstream of students ' academic life . If this does not happen learning will be sidelined and will eventually be eliminated through lack of student interest (Schulteis 1998 . It is important...