Resource

Short Answer Questions (SAQ)

Author: ATU Galway

What is it?

Students are asked to give brief answers to questions. This measures students analysis, application of knowledge, problem-solving abilities and evaluative skills.

Advantages & Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Tips for Use

Identify the mode by which this assessment will be carried out (in-person or online) and what you are looking to assess by using SAQ’s.
Consider developing a question bank (particularly if you are doing this online), this would allow for you to randomise questions and/or give students different questions.
Develop your questions and include different types of questions. (see examples of question styles: Short answer questions – Division of Learning and Teaching (csu.edu.au)

Resources

Chan C.(2009) Assessment: Short Answer Questions, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong TALIC – Assessment Resource Centre (hku.hk)
Charles Sturt University: Short answer questions – Division of Learning and Teaching (csu.edu.au)
University of Warwick: Objective tests (warwick.ac.uk)
University of London: assessment-toolkit-I-2015.pdf (london.ac.uk) (page 39)

Sample Rubrics

Chan C.(2009) Assessment: Short Answer Questions, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong TALIC – Assessment Resource Centre (hku.hk)

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