Poster #24 - Student Test-Taking Strategies for Multiple-Choice Vocabulary Questions

• In Event: 51.082 - MTCC Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: 51.082-4 - Student Test-Taking Strategies for Multiple Choice Vocabulary Questions

Abstract

The objective of this research was to understand the strategies students use while answering multiple choice (MC) vocabulary questions on the Adolescent Comprehension Evaluation (ACE), an electronic middle years comprehension assessment. Think aloud protocol was used for analysis to gain a deeper understanding of student reasoning while answering the MC vocabulary questions. The research team anticipated student reasoning would include semantic and syntactic relationships between vocabulary words and the definitions provided. The researchers found that student reasoning relied on prior word knowledge, personal experiences, and context. Based on the results, ACE’s distractors were rewritten to align with student reasoning and thinking skills. This study adds to the research base regarding cueing systems students use when approaching MC vocabulary questions.

Authors

• Alia Adel Ammar, Drexel University

• Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, Drexel University

• Lori Severino, Drexel University