Preparing an Effective Final Exam

Creating Questions

Create an outline of the material taught

Mark “must know” vs. “nice to know” information.

When creating questions, prioritize questions on “must know” content

Be cognizant of students’ skills and age level when choosing types of questions

Think ahead towards marking:

True/false, multiple choice, matching = quick scoring.

Open-ended questions = more time-consuming.

Fine-Tuning

Take the exam yourself; time it to gauge difficulty.

Have someone else take the exam for perspective. This will help you be aware of potential issues students may face.

Write clear instructions for each test section.

Include a warm note or poem in the cover letter for the final to reduce stress.

Preparing Your Students

Distribute copies of your outline to students. This provides them with a framework for studying and helps them realize that the content is not infinite.

Teach effective study strategies. (You can refer to this article for ideas on how to prepare students for the testing season.)

MORE TO EXPLORE

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Mommy and Me Workshops

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