CDE Exams Open-book or Closed-book

Research:

A Comparison of the Effects of Exam Types on Performance, Retention, and Anxiety
Afshin Gharib, William Phillips, Noelle Mathew, Dominican University of California, California, USA

While exam scores were higher on open-book exams when compared to closed-book exams, anxiety was the lowest during open-book exam. There were no differences in scores on retention quizzes. Scores among exam types were positively correlated -- students who performed well on one exam type tended to perform well on the other type of exam.

Deep Learning -- Erbe (2007) had argued that the preparation of cheat sheets improved and deepened learning by helping students organize their study time. Some authors found an improvement in performance when students use cheat sheets (Skidmore & Aagaard, 2004).

Test Anxiety--Worrying about the outcome of the test and experiencing negative emotions during the test—is associated with poor performance on exams (Morris, Davis, & Hutchings, 1981; Tryon, 1980).

Learning Retention -- Open-book exams caused less test anxiety and teachers are encouraged to consider open-book exams as an alternative to closed-book tests. Retention of knowledge for open-book exams does not appear to be reduced when compared to knowledge retention for closed-book exams.

Summary: Compared to the typical closed-book testing format an open-book exam showed the following:

1. Open-book testing still distinguishes more knowledgeable students from less knowledgeable students.
2. Open-book testing is preferred by the students.
3. Open-book testing did not appear to decrease learning and retention.
4. Open-book testing decreased anxiety levels.
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  1. I like the idea of allowing Ag Skills CDE participants to utilize resources during exams (open notes, open-book).
    Yes
    No


  1. If an open-book/notes format is used for the CDE Exam, I feel awarding bonus points for time of completion would be acceptable.

    i.e., Students who complete more quickly would receive a bonus points.)

    (i.e., Extra points awarded based upon time of submission.

    Examples of Bonus Pts:
    - First 25% to complete the exam would receive 2 bonus points.
    - The next 25% to complete the exam would receive 1 bonus point.



    Yes
    No


  1. I guesstimate more of my students would be interested in participating if they could utilize resources to complete the exam.
    Yes
    No


  1. I like the open-resource (open-book) option, if questions were expressly written to emphasize the "application of facts" rather than the "memorization of facts".
    Yes
    No


  1. Personally, I am comfortable that scores may be higher, but the more knowledgeable students would likely score above less knowledgeable students.
    Yes
    No


  1. People are allowed to utilize resources on the job.
    Yes
    No


  1. In the real world, spending time to acquire CORRECT facts is probably more valuable than quickly remembering the WRONG fact.
    Yes
    No


  1. Comment





Dale Gruis
Instructor
Collins-Maxwell MS/HS
IA