A comparison of student performances in answering essay-type and multiple-choice questions.

Assessment has been made of student performances in answering exam questions of different types. Three groups of students were tested on the same material in three different forms of examination: essay-type question, essay-type question modified by providing cues, and multiple choice question. The students performed better in multiple-choice and in cued essay questions than in uncued essay questions. An important difference between essay questions and multiple-choice questions is the provision of cues in the latter.