Posted by shan on December 26, 1999 at 22:37:43:

In Reply to: college multiple choice tests posted by Virginia on October 12, 1999 at 22:21:35:

: Help, Could someone explain why if my college exam is multple choice I choose the wrong answer and when the exam is essay I ace the exam. Also, if I study more than the student average on a class I end up with the same low grade as if I had not studied at all. I have ADD and receive accomedations. I also am very confident that I understand the material in the course better than the majority of the students and have helped them understand material in the class.

I also have ADD, and am now through my first B.S. degree, BUT: I always had a terrible time with multiple choice tests, excelled on essays. I was not diagnosed, nor had any CLUE what the problem was until about 2 years ago, after reading a book, then seeing an MD. My personal opinion on the question of WHY: Multiple choice tests are designed with distractions, which is the problem in iself. We can spill out the material very nicely (I think better) on an essay-type exam, but when it comes to choices, we are distracted. Oh it just drives me NUTS, because I want to go back to school, and I will need to do well on a standardized test once again. I don't get NERVOUS about it, only very discouraged, knowing I am not being tested for my TRUE ability.