Types of exams
Exam formats include:
Unseen/ closed book: -students have no sight of the paper's content prior to the start of the examination itself.
Open book: where participants can take a supporting text into the exam hall, but have not seen the questions in advance. Open books are designed to
test students understanding of a subject and how well they can make an argument more than their ability to memorise facts.
Seen: A 'seen' examination is one where the examination questions are released to the students before the examination date. Students then prepare
their answers before writing them in a formal invigilated examination environment.
Take-Home: same day.
A one-day take-home examination is handed out and returned on the same day, typically beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
In the case of exams done in an online format, via computer labs or web browsers, the time limit may be a matter of hours from the moment of logging-in.
Students need plenty of notice of the date.
Take-Home: extended
An extended take-home examination is taken over a period of time to answer the questions, which may vary from 24 hours to a week.. Extended takehome examinations are open-book and allow for full discussion among students.
Students need plenty of notice to of the dates to organise any personal commitments.
Multiple choice question. (MCQ) Multiple choice exams are often designed to test how quickly students can answer questions, as well as what they
know. A twist on this would be to get students to write their own MCQs throughout the term and submit them to a question bank in the knowledge that the
MCQ exam will include a proportion of questions from the student MCQ bank mixed with MCQs written by the tutor. MCQ questions can easily be an
online exam through ICT software.
Short answer questions: as the name suggests, this type of exam consists of a series of questions that only require concise answers, usually in the
form of a definition.
Problem or case based scenarios: Problem-based exams can take a variety of forms, such as mathematical problems that require the use of
equations, formulae, or the application of scientific theories (such as those used in the disciplines of statistics, chemistry, engineering and physics).
Case-based exams involve the presentation of hypothetical case studies that require the identification of problem/s and solutions. This could be done in
writing or in an oral exam.
Practical exams: in science disciplines aim to examine students’ ability to perform specific tasks in which to apply their knowledge of the subject to
solving specific practical problems or performing specific tasks. Observation such as evaluating teacher performance in a school classroom or the
practical demonstration of skills e.g. social work students in a mock counselling session.
Observed Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) take place in the health disciplines to assess clinical competence.
Integrated Structured Clinical Examinations (ISCEs) are used in health discipline to assess both clinical competence and professional skills.
Computer Aided Assessment (CAA) computer aided assessment utilises software such as Questionmark perception QMP (an online assessment and
reporting tool) or simulator environments. CAA can include computer marking and reduce tutor workload, although the set up time must be taken into
account.
Group exams: These could use a number of the formats already listed but in a group context. For example a same day takes home exam where
students are given a project/problem at 9am and must hand in a group report / solutions by 4.30pm. This type of exam is authentic and can assess
teamwork skills
Individual oral exams: Oral exams test knowledge and capabilities through spoken interaction between the student and the examiners. They range
from a straightforward question and answer format, to problem-based or hypothetical scenarios that may evaluate a student’s interpersonal
communication, diagnostic or creative abilities.
Typical formats:
o Viva voce: a panel of experts questioning a student about how they would deal with a particular patient or case - used in medicine and some other
health disciplines. The viva may also be used as a verbal defence of a written research project or dissertation (commonly used in science disciplines)
A viva is often paired with a substantial written or visual project which the student is invited to elaborate on or ‘defend’.
o In modern foreign language programmes students deliver a presentation or participate in a conversation
o Auditions or performances often used in creative and performing arts
Group oral exams: a group is usually comprised of three to five students. The exam might include a group presentation, a group discussion with
examiners or a group audition or performance.