STRATEGIC PROCESSING OF TEST QUESTIONS - THE TEST MARKING RESPONSES OF COLLEGE-STUDENTS

Students' strategies for answering multiple-choice questions were investigated by analyzing the marks students spontaneously made on the test booklets. Among 227 undergraduate students, 60 students' test booklets were randomly selected. Inspection of test booklets led to the identification of six marking categories: answer indication marks, option elimination marks, key term marks, selective item marks, elaboration annotation marks, and answer change marks. Results indicated that 95% of students made one or more marks. Students' test scores were related to option elimination marks, and use of marking strategies increased as items became more difficult. The results suggest that the marks students make while taking a test may provide a valuable window on their underlying strategies.