Educational implications of assessing learning outcomes with multiple choice questions and short essay questions

PURPOSE: This study investigates the characteristics of different item types to assess learning outcomes and explore the educational implications that can be obtained from the results of learning outcome assessments. METHODS: Forty-five second-year premedical students participated in this study. Multiple choice question (MCQ) and short essay question (SEQ) scores and pass rates for 10 learning outcomes were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant correlation between SEQs and pass rate but there was no significant correlation between MCQs and pass rate. Some students with identical scores on the MCQs had different scores on the SEQs or on the learning outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study showed that students’ achievement of learning outcomes can be assessed using various types of questions in outcome-based education.